My hostas leaves keep getting holes in the leaves.
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I have checked for insects but haven't found any. I had the same problem when I planted it in my flower garden so I dug it up and planted it in a container but having the same problem. What would you recommend that I do?
13 answers
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Could be slugs....check them at night. I'm not a fan of eradicating any particular "pests" in the garden because they ALL serve some purpose but you can certainly control them in certain areas. I would use some method to control the slugs
![Heather Barton]()
Heather Barton
on May 04, 2015
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It is probably slugs. They love hostas! Try putting coarsely crushed egg shells around the base of the plant when it is first coming up. The shells cut the slugs and they die. Also, you can put a ring of copper or aluminum foil around the base of the plant and a slug will not cross it. You can get copper tape at any nursery. Hope this helps! I battle the little buggers daily. There are so many, I've started to name them!!
![Doyle Tami Harmon]()
Doyle Tami Harmon
on May 04, 2015
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I agree, slugs are probably the problem. You may not see them because they move around at night and they are smaller than you expect. I use a product called Sluggo. You should only need to use it once a year and right now is the optimum time. It is non toxic to other animals.
![Colleen Walpert]()
Colleen Walpert
on May 04, 2015
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Or almost bury a large circular lid and pour beer in it, they'll die happy
![Carolyn rogers]()
Carolyn rogers
on May 04, 2015
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If your hostas are planted under trees sometimes little twigs fall and pierce the hosta leaves. Or could be snails or slugs which leave slimy trails on the leaves.
![Sherry Louer]()
Sherry Louer
on May 04, 2015
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My guess is slugs. They come out at night and they love hostas.
![Viki]()
Viki
on May 04, 2015
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Put small bowls of cheap beer around the base of hosts if you have slugs they will immediately be attracted to it.. just change it out periodically. This is trick we used at the zoo to keep slugs out of primate exhibit
![Tauba Brown]()
Tauba Brown
on May 04, 2015
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We use this around our plants at home have a large slug problem here in sunny South Carolina...but the do love hosts and dahlias
![Tauba Brown]()
Tauba Brown
on May 04, 2015
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Like others have stated, it sounds like slugs. I, too, have found the beer in several lids to be very effective in keeping them away. Flat beer seems to work best. I also put plain salt in several lids & keep the lids out all the time, have them level with surroundings as not to stick out.
![Laura]()
Laura
on May 04, 2015
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Earwigs will also do a number on hosta. They live in the dirt at the base of the plant. Coffee grounds are suppose to deter them. I also like the egg shell idea for slugs.
![Sue]()
Sue
on May 05, 2015
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How do you keep earwigs out of the house?
![Lisa House]()
Lisa House
on Sep 12, 2015
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I've always had this problem until I stopped watering them. They grow just fine and much less holes in the leaves. I think the moistness under the plants draws the slugs.
![Margaret Stava Wunschl]()
Margaret Stava Wunschl
on Sep 12, 2015
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I use Epsom Salts around all my gardens,,no bugs at all,,I also use it mixed with my fertilizer which doubles the amount for the yards,,been doing this for years and it still works!! I sprinkle it around the plants about 3 inches from the root base first, then a sprinkle it in the areas where there are no plants,,be sure to water it into the area really good, 'til you don't see the crystals any longer!! Good luck!
![Patty]()
Patty
on Sep 12, 2015
Heather Barton
on May 04, 2015
Doyle Tami Harmon
on May 04, 2015
Colleen Walpert
on May 04, 2015
Carolyn rogers
on May 04, 2015
Sherry Louer
on May 04, 2015
Viki
on May 04, 2015
Tauba Brown
on May 04, 2015
Laura
on May 04, 2015
Sue
on May 05, 2015
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