Vegetable garden pests - Ask Extension
Something is eating mainly my basil in my raised garden and leaving black droppings on my lettuce leaves. I can't find anything, but they eat the leav...
Knowledgebase
Vegetable garden pests #877093
Asked July 13, 2024, 1:39 PM EDT
Something is eating mainly my basil in my raised garden and leaving black droppings on my lettuce leaves. I can't find anything, but they eat the leaves down to the thick inner membrane. What is it and how do I get rid of it?
Minnehaha County South Dakota
Expert Response
There are a few things that could be feeding at night - you might want to go out after dark and shine a light on the plants to see if you can catch something in the act.
Slugs and earwigs are my first two guesses. Considering you will be eating the leafy part of these plants a pesticide isn't the best way to go (applying one would mean you would have to wait awhile before consuming the crop).
