Radish Pest Problem - Ask Extension
I am growing radishes in a raised garden bed in Aurora. Something is eating into them. Sometimes it looks like nibbling as well as 1/4" dia holes...li...
Knowledgebase
Radish Pest Problem #132067
Asked June 04, 2013, 2:46 PM EDT
I am growing radishes in a raised garden bed in Aurora. Something is eating into them. Sometimes it looks like nibbling as well as 1/4" dia holes...like they were drilled. Any ideas? Thanks, Mike
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
I would assume judging by the size of the bite marks, that it is a wildlife issue, probably rabbits. If you put a chicken wire exclosure around the raised bed, this will keep them away.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/2305.html
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/2305.html
Umm...the radishes grow under ground ... do you really think it is rabbits?
Rabbits and other sorts of wildlife can dig underground
There doesn't seem to be any ground disturbed and what about the holes (1/4" dia) that are almost 1/2 way through the radishes?
Mike, a couple of guesses -
possibly radish root maggots are drilling the holes. Adults are flies (Delia planipalpis).
The injury to the sides of the radish bulb could be from feeding by pillbugs ("roly-polys"). These feed on organic materials in moist soils. If there are any "gaps" between soil and radish bulb, pillbugs could access bulb.
See http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05552.html
possibly radish root maggots are drilling the holes. Adults are flies (Delia planipalpis).
The injury to the sides of the radish bulb could be from feeding by pillbugs ("roly-polys"). These feed on organic materials in moist soils. If there are any "gaps" between soil and radish bulb, pillbugs could access bulb.
See http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05552.html
