Identifying & Controlling Mystery Pests Eating Flowers

Question: Something is eating leaves and flowers in my beds—holes in petals, chewed stems—but I only see ants in soil and on plants. Are ants the culprits?

Answer: Ants Are Not the Primary Pests

Ants rarely eat live plant tissue. They may farm aphids or scavenge, but the damage you describe suggests beetles, slugs, caterpillars, or vertebrates (deer, rabbits, groundhogs).

Step 1: Identify the Culprit

• Inspect at night with a flashlight (many pests are nocturnal)
• Look for slime trails (slugs), droppings, or footprints
• Check leaf undersides for caterpillars or beetles

Step 2: Organic Insect Control (If Insects)

Apply pyrethrum (chrysanthemum-derived organic insecticide). Non-toxic to humans/pets; effective against most garden insects. Spray thoroughly, including leaf undersides.

Step 3: Vertebrate Pest Options

Method	Pros	Cons
Row covers (Reemay)	Blocks insects & animals; lets light/water in	Can be unsightly; impractical for large gardens
Live trapping (Havahart)	Humane; identifies species	Requires daily checks; relocation often illegal/inhumane
Repellents (cayenne, garlic, coyote urine, blood meal)	Non-lethal; easy to apply	Reapply after rain; variable effectiveness
Poison baits	Effective	Toxic to pets/humans; last resort only

Long-Term Prevention

• Plant garlic and marigolds as natural deterrents (avoid near beans/peas)
• Rotate crops annually
• Encourage beneficial predators (birds, toads, beneficial insects)

Start with pyrethrum for insects; if damage continues, assume vertebrates and use repellents + trapping.