Who's biting my baby??

[sapphire420]

Alrighty then, looks like someone finds this Auto AK plant tasty - it's the only plant with any damage and only 2 leaves...

This is an outdoor grow, this plant is in Roots Organic soil if that makes a difference.

View attachment 216041

I tried looking it up, and there are so many potential "chewers," lol. I looked all over the plant and didn't see any critters... Seems like plants overcome some of them and not others. It's so minor at this point I'm not alarmed, but OMG if you all know something I don't I'm ALL EARS.

Thanks so much for reading and any thoughts you have. :smokebuds:

(can't seem to get the attachment to show in the post - sorry bout that!)

 

[sapphire420]

Maybe this worked...

 

[gradolabs]

Dunno what's eating 'em but I'd start stockpiling insecticides. Get the big guns out Sapph! I had a thrip problem, but they didn't cause that sort of damage. Maybe someone with more experience can tell ya whats what. Good luck and keep an eye out for the marauders!

 

[sapphire420]

Thanks, grado! Still looks the same as this morning, but I've got my eyes peeled...

Ohhhh, I hope I don't have to use a bunch of poison... I've heard of using diluted soapy dish soap to treat spider mites so I know it won't hurt the plant and I'm tempted to try a little on the leaves to discourage the bugger - but I'll hold off because there is probably a better idea!

 

[Waira]

Mrs. S'! You should have waved this at me over at your thread (or mine!) I'm 95% certain that is a f*cking earwig som'bitch d-bug! I know, tell us how you really feel... LMAO! Diagnosis goes a little something like this: it's chewed both at the edges, and holes are made in the leaf; somewhat ragged edges (munch marks); no slime trails visible (right?); nobody around after the fact to c-r-u-s-h.. = earwigs! These shit-stains are highly mobile, they eat and run; they can chew holes, and edges (caterpillars go edges only almost always, plus they stick around and can be spotted readily); slug/snails leave slime trails, and their 'tongue' (no jaws on them) rasps at the leaf surface, making a distinct type of damage (which I don't see); earwigs are omnipresent too, especially around our area.... So, night time is when they feed mostly; search and destroy then! you can put out diatomacious earth (this stuff is the micro-equivalent of us crawling over shards of broken glass), better still pyrethrum powder (made from chrysanthemums, a natural neurotoxin), around the bases of the pots... there is no permanent solution barring atomic pesticides.... but a dirty shoe to splat them into little gooey smears is highly recommended and satisfactory!! :ama:

 

[sapphire420]

:jaw:OH MY GOD

I actually SAW an earwig around there the other day - what an A**HOLE!! How could I miss it - it's huge from feasting on that Auto AK...



THANKS so much, waira -:eye: I'm sure you've ID'ed the correct suspect and I'll be on the lookout... OH I can't believe I crossed paths with the bastard and didn't even think about it!!

There is some good news here - I think it's just one, and hopefully he's not telling his buddies - and it prefers just the one plant (so far)...

Thanks AGAIN!

 

[happily]

Us farm kids used to take a milk jug and fill half or less with fruit juice not citrus though and then poke a couple holes right above the liquid level so they could crawl in and drown. Earwigs love that stuff. Good way to drown lots of other pests outdoor as well and kept most of them from ever entering the house.

 

[Waira]

Oh yeah! I forgot to mention that both DE and pyrethrum are considered food safe pest control, and nice to kheeeeeelll with :brow:

 

[sapphire420]

Oooohh I LIKE the idea of attracting them somewhere besides my plants with sweet juice! Decoy drowning center coming right up!

I just ordered mosquito netting because I already saw some butterflies and moths hovering around... Lost a LOT to budworms past 2 seasons (of photosensitive), but no more! LOL Seems they are attracted to the autos as well!

 

[Waira]

....Not to hack on Happily, but that sweet bait will definitely attract ants to the party as well, which was a concern for you as mentioned earlier (especially 'our' local coastal species of little 'sugar' ants that there's about a million per cf of everywhere; those are the ones you're thinking of, right?) The molasses is not an issue for this,.. too dilute, and it shouldn't be applied to the point that it's running out the bottom in quantity anyway.... Beer works for slugs/snails, dunno for earwigs, but it might be worth a try!.... you could also use those small bait thingy's you place on the ground... Uhhh, ....water spreader! That's what I wanted to tell you,...I'm still looking for options; I did find one type, an organic product made by Advanced Nutrients called Wet Betty, but it's expensive ($40/ 1 L); by comparison, 1gal of the Romeo product is only $20, but is available only through them,... but they're close to you, near Half Moon Bay, so shipping would be cheap..... (LOL!) 1 gal is enough for several years though @ about 1 tsp or so per gallon.... :joint: and that's the smallest size they offer, unless you might want to try mooching a free sample from them (?).... TBC...