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What's eating my Dahlias and Sunflower leaves.

jondhinksjondhinks Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi, I'm new to this forum and am looking for help.
I have several Daliahs and Titan Sunflowers. Something is eating the Dahlia leaves. The Dahlias where late to sprout, last month or so. Sunflowers are a little more established. Initially I thought it might be slugs/snails but have put pellets down and it's definitely not them. 

I did come out at night to check and discovered several black beetle type bugs on and around the Dahlia that disappear as soon as the light is shone on them. Is it them? If so what are they and how to get rid. Will try to get a pic asap.

I have uploaded a pic of the damage to both dahlia and sunflower.

Any help would be greatly appreciated 

Posts

  • msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
    The second pic still looks like slugs/snails damage to me. I'd put a bucket / plant pot upside down to cover it in the night. Or put a ring of grit / gravel around it.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    I too think it’s snails/ slugs .Even if you used pellets it doesn’t mean they’re dead ! Others come afterwards and keep coming till it’s all eaten .I would do as the previous poster said keep them covered with a pot pushed well down in the ground at nighttime and don’t water in the evenings .That’s my advice for what it’s worth .
  • jondhinksjondhinks Posts: 2
    Thanks for replies. Will try the plant pot. I have been using same pellets for some years and they have been very effective. Only thing I can think of is they've feasted on that one whilst I was away.

    Also, the other healthier Dahlias have holes in some of their leaves. Is that still Slugs/snails?
  • msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
    jondhinks said:

    Also, the other healthier Dahlias have holes in some of their leaves. Is that still Slugs/snails?
    Yes, my dahlias all have holes... when they pass that early growth stage they can quickly outgrow slugs and snails so I wouldn't bother too much about those.
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