Hosta problem - Ask Extension
I have several hostas with this issue. I can’t seem to figure out what is infesting them. I am emailing pictures and any help will be greatly apprec...
Knowledgebase
Hosta problem #870316
Asked May 27, 2024, 5:48 PM EDT
I have several hostas with this issue. I can’t seem to figure out what is infesting them. I am emailing pictures and any help will be greatly appreciated! Thank you
Carroll County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello; Thanks for submitting your garden and landscape questions to the University of Maryland Ask Extension Service.
As you must know, there are numerous insect invaders that like feeding on Hosta foliage. From your submitted picture, I suspect that the particular cause of the holes seen on your Hosta foliage may have been produced by earwigs. Please see this UMd Extension webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/earwigs-flowers/. And also this webpage from the University of Minnesota Extension: https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/earwigs#what-they-eat-1241660.
Do some detective work by inspecting leaves of your Hosta plants at night, or put out beer and vegetable oil traps in separate tuna tins beneath plant foliage. Slugs are attracted to beer baits and earwigs like vegetable oil baits. Follow instructions provided in the webpages above to control your insect invaders.
Remove unsightly damaged Hosta leaves with a knife, keep plants watered but try keeping plant foliage dry.
Good luck with your garden and landscaping efforts. Thanks; Christopher
As you must know, there are numerous insect invaders that like feeding on Hosta foliage. From your submitted picture, I suspect that the particular cause of the holes seen on your Hosta foliage may have been produced by earwigs. Please see this UMd Extension webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/earwigs-flowers/. And also this webpage from the University of Minnesota Extension: https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/earwigs#what-they-eat-1241660.
Do some detective work by inspecting leaves of your Hosta plants at night, or put out beer and vegetable oil traps in separate tuna tins beneath plant foliage. Slugs are attracted to beer baits and earwigs like vegetable oil baits. Follow instructions provided in the webpages above to control your insect invaders.
Remove unsightly damaged Hosta leaves with a knife, keep plants watered but try keeping plant foliage dry.
Good luck with your garden and landscaping efforts. Thanks; Christopher
