Kitchen Garden Forum

What could be eating a small hole in my tiny capiscum's in my cold greenhouse? The fruit is about half an inch now and the hole is about the size of a small pea? Any ideas what it is and any non-chemical treatments available?

Compo

I had exactly this problem with peppers in my polytunnel last year and asked the same question on the forum. If I remember, the answer is probably caterpillars. Have a good look for them because the hole in the pepper will make it rot which is really frustrating!

What about treatment? I don't mind trying Derris a couple of times, I am not sure about it's safety but the soil association (I know!!) seem to think it's ok?

I don't know I'm afraid. I didn't use anything, but I probably should have done.

Whenever I've found a hole in a pepper there's usually been a slug or some woodlice living inside it, so I would blame one or other of these as the culprit. My solution is woodash around the base of the plant as neither animal can seem to cross it.

Thanks Jenny will try that