Help! What's eating holes in leaves?

[Gertrude's Ghost]

Whatever it is it's not a fussy eater - nearly every plant seems to be affected. Sometimes there are small roundish holes in the middle of the leaf but sometimes they spread right to the edge of the leaf giving a ragged edge. I've examined the plants carefully but can't see any sign of critters. I've sprayed everything with Bug Clear but now it has spread to my tomatoes! I need some advice before it chomps its way through everything.

[WendyC]

Most likely slugs or snails. You may see a slime trail but don't always see the snails or slugs as they are most active after dark. Try taking a torch out after dark and see what's there.

[cariann88]

Like Wendy has said it could be a slug or a snail. Go out when it is dark with a torch and look for them. I am having the same problem to.

[Gertrude's Ghost]

Like Wendy has said it could be a slug or a snail. Go out when it is dark with a torch and look for them. I am having the same problem to.

That would make sense for some of them, as we do get a lot of slugs and snails and I'm familiar with their damage, but some of the plants at high level on staging, etc have tiny holes in the middle of the leaf and in my experience slugs and snails don't do tiny holes - they eat the whole lot. Is there something else it could be? A flying pest perhaps?

[veggiechicken]

Could it be Flea beetles?
Flea beetles on brassicas and allied plants/RHS Gardening

[fishpond]

"but some of the plants at high level on staging!

Could be Giraffes

I'll get my coat on the way out.

[Guykp57]

Has to be slugs..my Hostas look like string vests in the morning after slugs have been out. If your growing things in containers try grease around rim of pot or copper wire works.


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[mothhawk]

This year I've had a lot of leaf damage too - runner beans, sunflowers, cucumber, even one of the potatoes has been almost stripped, and I've never known slugs do that, they usually go for the spuds themselves, which so far have been fine. And the brassicas are under micromesh, which I think slugs would still get to, but they are untouched.

[snakeshack]

Could be leafcutter bees especially if the holes are perfectly round and all the same size


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[mothhawk]

Could be leafcutter bees especially if the holes are perfectly round and all the same size

They seem to prefer my roses and fly round the house to the front garden to snip bits off, then back to the bee tubes in the back garden.

[Two_Sheds]

I've sprayed everything with Bug Clear

Your problem is snails, probably baby ones which get everywhere and can climb to great heights. Bug Clear won't work on them, as you've discovered. You need to get out in the dark with a torch to see them

[Gertrude's Ghost]

Your problem is snails, probably baby ones which get everywhere and can climb to great heights. Bug Clear won't work on them, as you've discovered. You need to get out in the dark with a torch to see them

Yes, I've decided that must be it - I found a really tiny snail on the back of my potting bench, minute! I've bought some slug bait to see if that helps.