Something is putting holes in my ornamental potato vine

Question

Something is eating hole in my flowers, what can I do?

Fran McCarty · Answer

It appears to be slugs. They used to do this to my Hostas. You can crush egg shells and place around the outside bottom of the container on the ground. You can also take an electrical copper wire and strip the plastic covering off. Make the wire into a ring and place it around the bottom of the container laying it on the ground.I've used both methods and both work equally as well.

Rhonda B · Answer

It might be Golden Tortoise Beetles-check the undersides for them. Here is a link: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN14000.pdf

Susan Gruss · Answer

I agree with Rhonda. We have to spray for the golden tortoise beetles every year. They hide on the underside of the leaves. You'll need to use an insecticide on these shiny little beetles as they do a lot of damage very quickly.

Dee · Answer

This looks like MY sweet potato vine! My damage was from slugs. The egg shells work, as does coarse sand. They don't like crawling on the sharp surface. I pick them off as I find them. They live in the soil (and will winter over), so if your plants are in a container, you may want to re-pot when you get them controlled.

Jill P · Answer

Agree with Rhonda & Susan, the dreaded golden beetles. Sevin dust to the rescue!!

Marcia · Answer

The holes aren't big enough to be slugs. you would also see slime trails. Slugs usually start from the outside and eat their way in.

NANCY · Answer

SLUGS LOVE BEER. JUST PUT A PAN OF BEER NEAR YOUR PLANTS, THEY WILL CAWL IN. MY DOG DRANK THE BEER AND ATE THE MARINATED SLUGS. I ASKED HER IF SHE HAD A GOOD NITE!!!!!!!!!!! NO MORE SLUGS
NANCY Stockbridge, GA

Tuppence Penny · Answer

If it is slugs, they don't like garlic. Bash a glove then boil for 5 min, drain and keep the liquid, use a small amount with 5ltr watering can. It worked well on my Hostas.

Katphish · Answer

Mix 4-6 ounces of water with 1/2 teaspoon of salad oil & a teaspoon of Palmolive dish liquid in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray where leaves are being eaten. spray both sides of leaves. Check for any bugs, squish any that you find.

Annae A · Answer

I loved my sweet potato ivy, I thought my holes were from lil worms in Napa, Calif.

Annae A · Answer

Please re-fresh my memory on how to start the sweet potato ivy, and it grows fast? Just the 1 end in water ? That took forever when I did it and it did not last. I had one 1 time about 15-20 inches across....So pretty !! Nae'

MaryAnn McCollum McNees · Answer

It could be cutter bees. Living on a farm I noticed my plant leaves had holes in them. I asked a neighbor to come over and give me advice. He said that the cutter bees help pollinate and they cut the holes to pack in the wee ones (not yet born) and he said I'd not be able to get rid them until the pollination was finished. It was about 2 weeks later I had no more holes. They had moved the cutter bees away to another area.

Jennifer Hart · Answer

It’s beetles doing this not slugs! Unfortunately you need a pesticide. I’ve tried the home remedies ie; dawn, water, oil and hot sauce to no avail. Eventually I stopped planting them but this year I’m giving it another try.

Missey Hamilton · Answer

Small crickets are eating holes in my sweet potato vines, I have a video. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep them away?

Oliva · Answer

Crickets are more prevalent, this year. Try dusting the leaves and surrounding earth with diatomaceous earth (wear a mask when using this).

Annie · Answer

I think it's crickets. Wouldn't slugs leave more damage than just little holes?

Richard Hyde · Answer

Any recommendations on pesticides

Richard Hyde · Answer

We planted this in the ground 3mo ago. It took off. It 25ft down the fence line

Something is putting holes in my ornamental potato vine

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Something is putting holes in my ornamental potato vine

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