Something is eating my chives.

Jenny Turner2

I grow chives as much for their pretty purple flowers as for their culinary use.  Now I find that many of the heads have been eaten away, leaving just a green stem with a nibbled edge. I can't see any sign of anything, I would really appreciate a suggestion as to what I can do about this.  My allium buds, at the opposite side of my garden, have also been attacked.

lazy gardener

You have to assume at this time of year- any plant that is being nibbled-slugs.snails are usually the culprits

I keep saying this-but it is so often true

Have you taken any precautions ?

Dovefromabove

Pigeons may be the culprits - they're so inquisitive - they try most things. 

Outdoor girl

Rabbits? Bane of my life. Sigh.  Mind you...  they tend to steer clear of p[lants which smell.

Tropical Sam

Slugs or catterpillars in my experience.

Jenny Turner2

Thanks for the replies, I don't think it is slugs/snails as there is no evidence of slime/trails, but nearly all the heads have gone from a clump of chives.  We do get pigeons, but there is plenty of food for them... Wondered if it could be small caterpiller/aphid type thing?  Any suggestions for repelling???

 

 

lazy gardener

You dont always see slime trails-but my money is still on slugs or snails-again have you scattered any pellets or anything else?-you did not say

Go out tonight after dark-with a torch-you might see a predator returning to the scene

Tropical Sam

lazy gardener wrote (see)

You dont always see slime trails-but my money is still on slugs or snails-again have you scattered any pellets or anything else?-you did not say

Go out tonight after dark-with a torch-you might see a predator returning to the scene

Totally agree - you rarely see slime trails!

Jenny Turner2

Just been out with a torch (ten p.m.) and you were right, there was a snail climbing up my chives!  So annoyed as they provide a pretty splash of colour which I can see from my kitchen.  Well they did.  Thanks for all the helpful answers Lazy Gardener, Blairs and Dove from Above

 

Tropical Sam

Glad you found out what was causing the damage Jenny. The Slugs in my garden (I do not have snails) do not touch my Chives but will eat Foxglove merrily!

Gary Travis2

I go with out-door girl they don't like anything that smells I.E my garlic never gets touched, so back to the chives I usually take the heads off to make the plants more bushy , or on about slugs always check under the rim of your pots that's where they usually get through the day.