A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 pests

Help! something nocturnal is eating my lobelia and the new growth and blooms on petunias. It also is eating only the bloom on pansies. It eats some of the plants one night and then comes back the next night and finishes it down to the dirt. It isn't slugs. I've tried pepper flakes, cayenne pepper and chili power and a commercial product to deter cats, dogs, racoons and squirrels--nothing helps. I've replanted 3 times and just provided someone dinner. I have a large dog who sleeps in the garden area at night, she doesn't bark so whatever it is, it's sneeky.

Go out at night with a flashlight and see if you can catch the culprit. Just sit somewhere quiet just after darkness falls and wait, with the flashlight off. When you see movement, stun the critter with the flashlight. Once you know what you're dealing with, you have a much better chance of controlling the problem.
You could also put a cover of dry sand in a circle around the area , to get some footprints. That may help ID the critter.

Something is eating canna. The leaves are full of holes. What is it? How do I get rid of it?