Kitchen Garden Forum

On our raised bed alongside an ivy-overgrown dry stone wall, lots of the plants (primrose, ajuga, sweet violet, cyclamen hederaefolium and others) are being eaten by something. I don't think it's snails or slugs or even vine weevils - the holes are IN the leaves rather than round the edges, in fact some of them look like lace curtains. Could it be woodlice? Because I know we have plenty of those. And, if so, how can I get rid of them?

Hi Monica,
There are those who profess that Woodlice are totally harmless. I know for a fact that they are avid night feeders and can decimate a crop of lettuces overnight should they choose to.
Woodlice will feed on a plant just where the stem leaves the ground and also will cause havoc in potted plants. In particular rooted cuttings that are in their first pot where they can get to the roots. It is said that they only feed on dead material but that is simply not true.
In a greenhouse Woodlice can cause great damage.
You do not see them feeding because they scurry away from light but as soon as it becomes dark they come into their own as utter pests.
JB.

Woodlice have certainly eaten into some of my baby squashes earlier this year. I know it was them because I saw them happily chomping away.
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Granny

Monica you should get yourself a good torch and sneak up on the plants in question when it is dark.woodlice or earwigs is my bet.
Arthur e

I shall try to find the culprits, as suggested, but will wait till we get a balmier night again. I don't suppose little beasties will be active on a frosty night.

Hi Monika,
Thinking a little further into your original posting it is not damage that is typical of Woodlice. It sounds as though you have some late Flea Beetles about. If this is the case a couple of good frosts will have rid of them. Check also for moth caterpillars as they appear at some strange times of the year.
JB.