Asked on Jul 11, 2020

Something is eating my flowers what do i do??

So I made a small area next to the fence on my back patio for my wife for mothers day.(live in a townhouse)Everything was thriving wonderfully until recently. I noticed some flowers were dying quickly. On closer inspection something had eaten them down to almost nothing. It seems we have a terrible infestation of rolly pollies. After some research I found out they usually feed on rotting vegetation and not living flowers. However I did read if the population is significant enough they will turn to dining on live flowers. I dont know what i should do because I dont want to kill the little guys. I think their coming from my neighbors patio because she doesn't keep it up really and there is plenty of rotting leaves and things for them to live on happily. Is there some sort of barrier I could use that will repel them from my side and make them stay away from the flower bed i made for my wife? Any help would be great. Thank you in advance.

  11 answers
  • They are not usually a problem, but here's a link that gives you several ways to control/get rid of them:

    https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/lawn-pests/sowbug-pillbug-control/

  • Grace Gleason Grace Gleason on Jul 11, 2020

    I suspect you have a slug problem, not a sowbug problem. You used a chunky, loose mulch that would appeal to slugs as a hiding place during the day. Try these: https://www.treehugger.com/ways-get-rid-slugs-naturally-4858817

    • Michael Steinhour Michael Steinhour on Jul 11, 2020

      I thought so as well but I'm not finding any as I dig around and turn things over. Just a whole bunch of rolly pollies.

  • Homeroad Homeroad on Jul 11, 2020

    I have a feeling you can not move the bugs, You will need to spray for them. You may have luck making an all natural bug spray to keep them off the plants. There are many bug sprays made with peppermint essential oils and natural liquid soaps.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jul 11, 2020

    Hello. I have a number of my plants being munched on I suspected deer and or bunnies, do you have these critters around your neighborhood?

    • See 1 previous
    • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jul 11, 2020

      Additionally for the best local professional advice

      I would highly suggest contacting your cooperative extension. These offices are manned by volunteer master gardeners on site there waiting to answer the communities questions that know your local situation quite well.

      Master gardeners are required to volunteer back designated hours ( plus continuing education) each year to maintain MG certification -this community outreach and education is their goal.


      If your office is closed....there Might be alternative online venues like Ask an Expert as well as emailing your local master gardeners extension office for their guidance.... in a non contact manner.

  • Unexpected Elegance Unexpected Elegance on Jul 11, 2020

    I'm not sure what it causing the damage, but Neem Oil works great for a variety of problems. Here's the one I use and love: https://rstyle.me/+1j6-7oFk4lfcUO7pbdsitQ

  • Oliva Oliva on Jul 11, 2020

    If those plants were impatiens, you may have deer, rabbits, or a groundhog-they all love tender new shoots and leaves. You can spray a garlic and putrescent egg spray on non-edibles, or try cayenne pepper/chili powder, dusted around and on dry plant leaves.

    • See 1 previous
    • Oliva Oliva on Jul 11, 2020

      Hi, Michael,

      Yes, chipmunks can be irritatingly destructive! They actually took one bite out of each tomato on the lower vines of my plants, then moved down to every plant in the row...

      The size of your flower bed might still be inviting to deer, unless you have an 8' fence around your patio, or a double fence, 4' apart. The deer and rabbit opulations in my area have exploded this year, so the only recourse is Liquid Fence (garlic/rotten egg spray). Fortunately, it only smells to humans for a few hours(apply it in late evening), but keeps deer and rabbits away for weeks. Applied per label directions, you may find a beautiful flower bed! Good luck!

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jul 11, 2020

    What are the particular flower plants that are being eaten?

  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 11, 2020

    Hi Michael, you can try a few things here, hope these help you

    To get rid of roly poly bugs reduce the habitat favored by these pests by eliminating garden debris, leaf piles, fallen fruit and weeds from all growing areas. Use mulches that are coarse enough to let water pass through easily so the surface next to plants will not remain damp for long.


    I also found this,

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGFc2pLoXwo


    • See 1 previous
    • Deb K Deb K on Jul 11, 2020

      You're welcome, one thing you can do is put a border of diatemaceous earth around your bed, that will keep them out, they don't like it, and it is not toxic to animals or humans

  • try sprinkling some eggs shells around on the soil to help prevent slugs from eating them

  • Em Em on Jul 11, 2020

    If you have pill bugs the soil may be too moist, they don't like dryer soil. They live in damp soil. You can raise you plants to a higher area with better drainage like a planter you clip onto your railing they also make them for deck railing. Don't over water and make sure you have plenty of drainage in the pots as well as planters. The pill bugs/sow bug/ rolly pollys will seek what is on the ground and not likely to climb to get food.

    • Michael Steinhour Michael Steinhour on Jul 11, 2020

      Yes i found that out threw my research. I was watering every day but have stopped that. I just hope my plants will make it threw this. I spent a lot of time and money on this garden that was beautiful before the bug problem. Ty for your response.