What is eating my lettuce? - Ask Extension
Something started eating a couple lettuce plants a few days ago. Another one was untouched, until this morning when I saw that it had a lot of damage....
Knowledgebase
What is eating my lettuce? #751974
Asked May 25, 2021, 9:12 AM EDT
Something started eating a couple lettuce plants a few days ago. Another one was untouched, until this morning when I saw that it had a lot of damage. In the first photo I turned one of the leaves over so you can see the underside. What is eating my lettuce and what can I do about it besides using pesticides?
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi- there could be one or more pests at work, including various beetles and caterpillars. Slugs are a likely culprit based on the amount and type of feeding. Slime trails would be noticeable with this level of injury.
You may want to explore the garden at night with a headlamp or flashlight to see if you can find them feeding.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/slugs-and-snails-vegetables
They can be handpicked with tongs or sprayed directly with vinegar.
Using floating row covers can help prevent insect and slug feeding on leafy greens.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/floating-row-cover
Jon
