Expert: nick mccann - 11/17/2009

Question
My geranium leaves have holes in them and no longer bloom. They usually bloom almost continually beautiful red blossoms.  I suspect it is from the larvae of the white moths. I can't seem to see them except on rare occasion.  I have sprayed with a catepillar control (comes in concentrate in small green bottle) with no results.  This same problem happens to the petunias toward the mid to end of summer.  I live in zone 7.  I'd like to use something organic.  What do you suggest?  Thank you. Nancy

Answer
Hi Nancy, I have been getting a lot of inquiries to damage being done to plant tissue, with no sign of the culprit; normally this is the work of the dreaded "Slug" , it does its damage at night and then retreats to the soil by Day. I have found that putting Slug bait down works well to kill them, but in the mean time, putting a barrier of sand around the plants being attacked, deters them, for they will not attempt to cross it, because it will kill them. Venture out and check them a night to comfirm it is them doing the damage. Nick