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What is eating the leaves of my seedlings? It's not slugs.
I'm on the point of giving up this year as things have been so slow to germinate and now they have some darn thing is dining out on them.
I might not answer for a bit because I will be in the greenhouse sobbing  |
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"Could it possibly be aphids?"
I honestly don't know. There's no evidence of anything except the missing leaves. I've got sharp sand at the base, there's no slug slime and I've seen no insects. I'm stumped |
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"It's been so cold this year that everything is taking ages to grow or start budding. The main culprits in my garden are the chickens but I don't think that's going to help you. "
 but I'd love to keep chickens again  |
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"What is eating the leaves of my seedlings? It's not slugs.
I'm on the point of giving up this year as things have been so slow to germinate and now they have some darn thing is dining out on them.
I might not answer for a bit because I will be in the greenhouse sobbing "
If it's in the greenhouse, it's either mice, voles or shrews (I've had all three in mine). Outside, birds might be the culprits. |
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"What is eating the leaves of my seedlings? It's not slugs.
I'm on the point of giving up this year as things have been so slow to germinate and now they have some darn thing is dining out on them.
I might not answer for a bit because I will be in the greenhouse sobbing
If it's in the greenhouse, it's either mice, voles or shrews (I've had all three in mine). Outside, birds might be the culprits."
I'd say you're right but there are no droppings  |
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"The French.
They'll eat anything!"
I had the French invasion. I used several rounds from my 12 bore reasonably successful.
They left a nasty hump on the patio but it stopped the fuckers.
Might not be helpful for everyone though. Lol |
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"The French.
They'll eat anything!
I had the French invasion. I used several rounds from my 12 bore reasonably successful.
They left a nasty hump on the patio but it stopped the fuckers.
Might not be helpful for everyone though. Lol"
I like French people so I wouldn't be horrible to them |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"Could it possibly be aphids?"
This
Are other flying bugs you can make a mix of soapy water and spray or if you have a plastic bottle cut one end and place it over it so it also acts like a green house |
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"The French.
They'll eat anything!
I had the French invasion. I used several rounds from my 12 bore reasonably successful.
They left a nasty hump on the patio but it stopped the fuckers.
Might not be helpful for everyone though. Lol
I like French people so I wouldn't be horrible to them"
Apparently they can be a little fatty but cooked out can make a nice roast.
Lol |
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"It's been so cold this year that everything is taking ages to grow or start budding. The main culprits in my garden are the chickens but I don't think that's going to help you.
but I'd love to keep chickens again "
I kept chickens for a good few years when my kids were around. Really miss the fresh eggs! Lost too many to foxes unfortunately and the only option was to keep them locked away, which is no fun. Loved them wandering around the garden and foraging. |
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My peeper seedlings finally showed their heads. I moved them to the greenhouse which is nice and warm during the day (warmer than the window sill) but now they seem to be disappearing. They've been moved back indoors! Something weird going on. Good luck! |
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"Could it possibly be aphids?
This
Are other flying bugs you can make a mix of soapy water and spray or if you have a plastic bottle cut one end and place it over it so it also acts like a green house "
I've got some bug spray in the shed they're getting a dose of that tonight. |
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"It's been so cold this year that everything is taking ages to grow or start budding. The main culprits in my garden are the chickens but I don't think that's going to help you.
but I'd love to keep chickens again
I kept chickens for a good few years when my kids were around. Really miss the fresh eggs! Lost too many to foxes unfortunately and the only option was to keep them locked away, which is no fun. Loved them wandering around the garden and foraging."
There's something about chickens foraging that feels right. They'd would have had to be locked in recently due to bird flu.
Like you we lost too many to foxes but the kids used to love being the first one to spot a newly hatched chick or get the first egg of the year |
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"My peeper seedlings finally showed their heads. I moved them to the greenhouse which is nice and warm during the day (warmer than the window sill) but now they seem to be disappearing. They've been moved back indoors! Something weird going on. Good luck!"
So it's not just me! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Not quite what I was expecting from the title 
I had visions of people being planted in allotments across the country.
I'm weird like that
There's a Monty Python sketch in there somewhere "
And now for something completely different |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"What is eating the leaves of my seedlings? It's not slugs.
I'm on the point of giving up this year as things have been so slow to germinate and now they have some darn thing is dining out on them.
I might not answer for a bit because I will be in the greenhouse sobbing "
If they're outside then I would say birds or rodents. In a greenhouse then possibly rodents or caterpillars. Don't give up yet as the weather is finally starting to warm up and you can always cheat a bit by buying more mature plants. Here ends the lesson lol. Good luck regardless |
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"What is eating the leaves of my seedlings? It's not slugs.
I'm on the point of giving up this year as things have been so slow to germinate and now they have some darn thing is dining out on them.
I might not answer for a bit because I will be in the greenhouse sobbing
If they're outside then I would say birds or rodents. In a greenhouse then possibly rodents or caterpillars. Don't give up yet as the weather is finally starting to warm up and you can always cheat a bit by buying more mature plants. Here ends the lesson lol. Good luck regardless "
I might have to buy plants. I've always grown from seed and it goes against the grain to buy plants but there's a first time for everything |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"Could it possibly be aphids?
This
Are other flying bugs you can make a mix of soapy water and spray or if you have a plastic bottle cut one end and place it over it so it also acts like a green house
I've got some bug spray in the shed they're getting a dose of that tonight. "
This is another option
Rosemary : keeps fleas and ticks away
Marigold : mosquitoes, aphids
Basil : months houseflies
Lavender: months fleas flies mosquitoes
Catnip : mosquitoes
Peppermint: spiders mosquitoes and ants |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"What is eating the leaves of my seedlings? It's not slugs.
I'm on the point of giving up this year as things have been so slow to germinate and now they have some darn thing is dining out on them.
I might not answer for a bit because I will be in the greenhouse sobbing
If they're outside then I would say birds or rodents. In a greenhouse then possibly rodents or caterpillars. Don't give up yet as the weather is finally starting to warm up and you can always cheat a bit by buying more mature plants. Here ends the lesson lol. Good luck regardless
I might have to buy plants. I've always grown from seed and it goes against the grain to buy plants but there's a first time for everything "
Plants will obviously cost you more than a packet of seed but at least you should be guaranteed a stronger, healthy plant. Might also be worth sticking a plastic bag over your seedlings to see if that helps!! |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"Could it possibly be aphids?
This
Are other flying bugs you can make a mix of soapy water and spray or if you have a plastic bottle cut one end and place it over it so it also acts like a green house
I've got some bug spray in the shed they're getting a dose of that tonight.
This is another option
Rosemary : keeps fleas and ticks away
Marigold : mosquitoes, aphids
Basil : months houseflies
Lavender: months fleas flies mosquitoes
Catnip : mosquitoes
Peppermint: spiders mosquitoes and ants "
Also I'd get some insect repellent stickers insects just end their own life you can't be watching them 24/7 you can get a bulk strips which you just cut to the size required use the wire provided attached to a thin Cain stick which you can buy a pack for a pound from the pound shop might even be an extra 25p due to cost of living |
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"Could it possibly be aphids?
This
Are other flying bugs you can make a mix of soapy water and spray or if you have a plastic bottle cut one end and place it over it so it also acts like a green house
I've got some bug spray in the shed they're getting a dose of that tonight.
This is another option
Rosemary : keeps fleas and ticks away
Marigold : mosquitoes, aphids
Basil : months houseflies
Lavender: months fleas flies mosquitoes
Catnip : mosquitoes
Peppermint: spiders mosquitoes and ants "
That's great long term but I need an immediate solution. I do practice companion planting but I've never needed to at this early stage |
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"What is eating the leaves of my seedlings? It's not slugs.
I'm on the point of giving up this year as things have been so slow to germinate and now they have some darn thing is dining out on them.
I might not answer for a bit because I will be in the greenhouse sobbing
If they're outside then I would say birds or rodents. In a greenhouse then possibly rodents or caterpillars. Don't give up yet as the weather is finally starting to warm up and you can always cheat a bit by buying more mature plants. Here ends the lesson lol. Good luck regardless
I might have to buy plants. I've always grown from seed and it goes against the grain to buy plants but there's a first time for everything
Plants will obviously cost you more than a packet of seed but at least you should be guaranteed a stronger, healthy plant. Might also be worth sticking a plastic bag over your seedlings to see if that helps!! "
I was thinking I might put a plastic bag over them, completely encasing the pots. It'll either trap the last inside and they'll get eaten anyway or it'll work. |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"Could it possibly be aphids?
This
Are other flying bugs you can make a mix of soapy water and spray or if you have a plastic bottle cut one end and place it over it so it also acts like a green house
I've got some bug spray in the shed they're getting a dose of that tonight.
This is another option
Rosemary : keeps fleas and ticks away
Marigold : mosquitoes, aphids
Basil : months houseflies
Lavender: months fleas flies mosquitoes
Catnip : mosquitoes
Peppermint: spiders mosquitoes and ants
That's great long term but I need an immediate solution. I do practice companion planting but I've never needed to at this early stage"
Then use the second option it's cheaper stickers they stick to protect the plant |
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"Could it possibly be aphids?
This
Are other flying bugs you can make a mix of soapy water and spray or if you have a plastic bottle cut one end and place it over it so it also acts like a green house
I've got some bug spray in the shed they're getting a dose of that tonight.
This is another option
Rosemary : keeps fleas and ticks away
Marigold : mosquitoes, aphids
Basil : months houseflies
Lavender: months fleas flies mosquitoes
Catnip : mosquitoes
Peppermint: spiders mosquitoes and ants
Also I'd get some insect repellent stickers insects just end their own life you can't be watching them 24/7 you can get a bulk strips which you just cut to the size required use the wire provided attached to a thin Cain stick which you can buy a pack for a pound from the pound shop might even be an extra 25p due to cost of living "
I've got a whole pack of sticky things that attract insects who then land on them and can't get off. They're dotted around the plants with one or two black flies on them |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"What is eating the leaves of my seedlings? It's not slugs.
I'm on the point of giving up this year as things have been so slow to germinate and now they have some darn thing is dining out on them.
I might not answer for a bit because I will be in the greenhouse sobbing
If they're outside then I would say birds or rodents. In a greenhouse then possibly rodents or caterpillars. Don't give up yet as the weather is finally starting to warm up and you can always cheat a bit by buying more mature plants. Here ends the lesson lol. Good luck regardless
I might have to buy plants. I've always grown from seed and it goes against the grain to buy plants but there's a first time for everything
Plants will obviously cost you more than a packet of seed but at least you should be guaranteed a stronger, healthy plant. Might also be worth sticking a plastic bag over your seedlings to see if that helps!!
I was thinking I might put a plastic bag over them, completely encasing the pots. It'll either trap the last inside and they'll get eaten anyway or it'll work. "
But you'll get bugs coming up from the soil where eggs might be |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"Could it possibly be aphids?
This
Are other flying bugs you can make a mix of soapy water and spray or if you have a plastic bottle cut one end and place it over it so it also acts like a green house
I've got some bug spray in the shed they're getting a dose of that tonight.
This is another option
Rosemary : keeps fleas and ticks away
Marigold : mosquitoes, aphids
Basil : months houseflies
Lavender: months fleas flies mosquitoes
Catnip : mosquitoes
Peppermint: spiders mosquitoes and ants
Also I'd get some insect repellent stickers insects just end their own life you can't be watching them 24/7 you can get a bulk strips which you just cut to the size required use the wire provided attached to a thin Cain stick which you can buy a pack for a pound from the pound shop might even be an extra 25p due to cost of living
I've got a whole pack of sticky things that attract insects who then land on them and can't get off. They're dotted around the plants with one or two black flies on them "
Good if you are able to use a plastic bottle cut the drinking side and place that over the plant it does need to breathe |
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"Could it possibly be aphids?
This
Are other flying bugs you can make a mix of soapy water and spray or if you have a plastic bottle cut one end and place it over it so it also acts like a green house
I've got some bug spray in the shed they're getting a dose of that tonight.
This is another option
Rosemary : keeps fleas and ticks away
Marigold : mosquitoes, aphids
Basil : months houseflies
Lavender: months fleas flies mosquitoes
Catnip : mosquitoes
Peppermint: spiders mosquitoes and ants
Also I'd get some insect repellent stickers insects just end their own life you can't be watching them 24/7 you can get a bulk strips which you just cut to the size required use the wire provided attached to a thin Cain stick which you can buy a pack for a pound from the pound shop might even be an extra 25p due to cost of living
I've got a whole pack of sticky things that attract insects who then land on them and can't get off. They're dotted around the plants with one or two black flies on them
Good if you are able to use a plastic bottle cut the drinking side and place that over the plant it does need to breathe "
We don't have plastic bottles.
If all my seedlings fail this spring I'll buy a couple of tomato plants and put my runners and french beans directly in the ground and call it a day.
I'm just glad we're not dependent on the crop. |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"Could it possibly be aphids?
This
Are other flying bugs you can make a mix of soapy water and spray or if you have a plastic bottle cut one end and place it over it so it also acts like a green house
I've got some bug spray in the shed they're getting a dose of that tonight.
This is another option
Rosemary : keeps fleas and ticks away
Marigold : mosquitoes, aphids
Basil : months houseflies
Lavender: months fleas flies mosquitoes
Catnip : mosquitoes
Peppermint: spiders mosquitoes and ants
Also I'd get some insect repellent stickers insects just end their own life you can't be watching them 24/7 you can get a bulk strips which you just cut to the size required use the wire provided attached to a thin Cain stick which you can buy a pack for a pound from the pound shop might even be an extra 25p due to cost of living
I've got a whole pack of sticky things that attract insects who then land on them and can't get off. They're dotted around the plants with one or two black flies on them
Good if you are able to use a plastic bottle cut the drinking side and place that over the plant it does need to breathe
We don't have plastic bottles.
If all my seedlings fail this spring I'll buy a couple of tomato plants and put my runners and french beans directly in the ground and call it a day.
I'm just glad we're not dependent on the crop."
I've learnt when starting from seed use cotton wool wet place seed on them and when needed spray water or soak the seed in water until it's bloated it expands then plant in pot .... I watched something that you can grow seeds if pushed into a banana and grow Pretty quickly even sweet corn then just cut each section of the banana once growth and pot it |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Another vote for ants. Can get some good ant killer boxes these days, they'll take the sugary stuff inside back to the whole nest and sort the problem from there. Worst problem in our garden for sure but they work x |
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By *oxy jWoman
over a year ago
taunton somerset |
"My peeper seedlings finally showed their heads. I moved them to the greenhouse which is nice and warm during the day (warmer than the window sill) but now they seem to be disappearing. They've been moved back indoors! Something weird going on. Good luck!"
stop moving them leave them in the same spot until they resemble some sort of decent plant ...peppers can be very fussy plants |
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By *TG3Man
over a year ago
Dorchester |
"What is eating the leaves of my seedlings? It's not slugs.
I'm on the point of giving up this year as things have been so slow to germinate and now they have some darn thing is dining out on them.
I might not answer for a bit because I will be in the greenhouse sobbing "
birds  |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"Another vote for ants. Can get some good ant killer boxes these days, they'll take the sugary stuff inside back to the whole nest and sort the problem from there. Worst problem in our garden for sure but they work x"
Insects serv a purpose so use something that is going to deter rather than kill so they can move on and be someone else's problem |
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"What is eating the leaves of my seedlings? It's not slugs.
I'm on the point of giving up this year as things have been so slow to germinate and now they have some darn thing is dining out on them.
I might not answer for a bit because I will be in the greenhouse sobbing "
in the greenhouse mice or caterpillars, mice don't always leave droppings, but will leave bits of leaves lying around, caterpillars nibbling leave no trace, check the underside of leaves for any signs of eggs. Aphids suck the sap and don't eat leaves. |
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"Ants are a pain in greenhouses
I'm starting to suspect ants.
We live on top of an enormous underground ant colony and I reckon they're at least partly to blame "
If you have a mint bush, soak a handful of crushed leaves in a bucket of water overnight and soak the nest daily, they will soon move home safely. Ants cultivate aphids and kill ladybirds, so they really suck in a greenhouse.
Ant powder kills bees so avoid using if you can |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Ants are a pain in greenhouses
I'm starting to suspect ants.
We live on top of an enormous underground ant colony and I reckon they're at least partly to blame
If you have a mint bush, soak a handful of crushed leaves in a bucket of water overnight and soak the nest daily, they will soon move home safely. Ants cultivate aphids and kill ladybirds, so they really suck in a greenhouse.
Ant powder kills bees so avoid using if you can "
I thought mint bush was code (and a bit personal) for a minute |
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"Ant powder kills bees so avoid using if you can it's also exactly the same ingredients and percentage that's in woodlice and wasp nest powder. "
Jeez killing woodlice is nuts, they are awesome. Wasps can go do one... |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
One way to protect your crop find a spider and put it in the pot it will build a web and feed off the bugs
Tomato plants attract spiders when the plant a has grown some height put it close to other leafy it'll protect them from being eaten |
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"Could it possibly be aphids?
This
Are other flying bugs you can make a mix of soapy water and spray or if you have a plastic bottle cut one end and place it over it so it also acts like a green house "
I agree that a soapy spray is a good treatment but it only works if the insects are present, when spraying. OP hasn't found any pests or excrement etc, so there's nothing to spray.
Garlic as a spray/treatment can be a deterrent but I see you've had mixed past results. It may again be due to the unknown culprit type.
I'm assuming opportunistic voles etc, who don't linger. I'd aim to try a deterrent for them. Other than a cat, I've no successful experience. I've got peas indoors at present, as they won't last a couple of days outside |
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
"Could it possibly be aphids?
This
Are other flying bugs you can make a mix of soapy water and spray or if you have a plastic bottle cut one end and place it over it so it also acts like a green house
I agree that a soapy spray is a good treatment but it only works if the insects are present, when spraying. OP hasn't found any pests or excrement etc, so there's nothing to spray.
Garlic as a spray/treatment can be a deterrent but I see you've had mixed past results. It may again be due to the unknown culprit type.
I'm assuming opportunistic voles etc, who don't linger. I'd aim to try a deterrent for them. Other than a cat, I've no successful experience. I've got peas indoors at present, as they won't last a couple of days outside "
The soapy water works as it dries on the leaf so when the bug comes back for a nibble doesn't like the taste of the leaf as a deterrent |
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