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What’s eating my waterlilly?

Ann85Ann85 Posts: 64
in Wildlife gardening
Hi we have a barrel pond and bought a waterlilly last week but something is eating it and even tearing the leaves. Pigeons? Water snails? Thanks for any help! Anna 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I wonder if it could just be 'conventional' slugs/snails @Ann85? 
    The foliage reaches the edges of your container, and if the little b***ers have a bridge to get across to something, they'll have a go. 

    In my experience, the snails in ponds don't do much damage, but someone else might have seen that happen. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Ann85Ann85 Posts: 64
    It could be although we have lots of birds and a hedgehog visitor so don’t actually get many snails and slugs! Yes I agree the little water snails and teeny tiny, or the ones I have seen…
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Even with lots of birds etc, you'll probably still have slugs and snails, and it's often those tiny ones you can hardly see that do the most damage. I found one yesterday on a phormium, and it was absolutely minute. Almost needed a magnifying glass to see it  :D

    We have lots of wood pigeons, but I've never found them having a go at the water lilies, even when they were near enough for them to eat. 
    Maybe you'll need a camera rigged up to see what's happening.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Ann85Ann85 Posts: 64
    Fairygirl said:
    Even with lots of birds etc, you'll probably still have slugs and snails, and it's often those tiny ones you can hardly see that do the most damage. I found one yesterday on a phormium, and it was absolutely minute. Almost needed a magnifying glass to see it  :D

    We have lots of wood pigeons, but I've never found them having a go at the water lilies, even when they were near enough for them to eat. 
    Maybe you'll need a camera rigged up to see what's happening.  :)
    :smile: The wildlife camera is a great idea! We have an old one for seeing the hedgehogs on their rounds. Waterlilly-cam! 🧐
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Result! Keep us updated  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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