When you find that something is eating your outdoor plants, it can be a frustrating and disheartening experience. Whether it’s a small insect or larger critter, the damage can cause your plants to become unhealthy or even die completely. Identifying what is causing the damage is the first step in resolving the issue.
There are a few possible culprits commonly known to eat outdoor plants. Insects, such as aphids, caterpillars, and leaf-mining insects will cause small holes in leaves and may also leave behind webbing or discolored spots on the foliage. These insects often feed on leaves and stems of plants, weakening them over time.
Rabbits and deer are two of the most common animals that eat outdoor plants. They typically feed on tender new growth at night or during early morning hours before you even realize they have been there. Deer also have a habit of rubbing their antlers against trees, which causes bark to peel off exposing tender wood underneath.
Squirrels are another garden pest that will eat both flowers and vegetables alike. They tend to go after the ripest fruits and vegetables in the garden so they can quickly fill up their bellies with nutritious snacks.
Raccoons are omnivores who enjoy snacking on fruits, vegetables, eggs, and fish. They are notorious for raiding gardens in search of tasty treats like corn, green beans, tomatoes, carrots, squash, apples, melons and other types of produce.
If you suspect one of these critters is eating your outdoor plants it’s important to take swift action to protect them from further damage. Wildlife exclusion fencing around vulnerable plants can help keep animals out while carefully placed netting over vegetable gardens can deter birds from snatching up your produce.
Conclusion:
What Is Eating My Outdoor Plants? It could be any number of pests including insects like aphids and caterpillars; larger animals like rabbits and deer; squirrels; or raccoons. Taking swift action to protect vulnerable plants from further damage is key – wildlife exclusion fencing around vulnerable plants can help keep animals out while carefully placed netting over vegetable gardens can deter birds from snatching up produce.
