What's eating my bean sprouts? - Ask Extension
What's eating my bean sprouts?
I'd like to know, so that I can treat properly.
Knowledgebase
What's eating my bean sprouts? #836330
Asked June 19, 2023, 6:34 AM EDT
What's eating my bean sprouts?
I'd like to know, so that I can treat properly.
Otsego County Michigan
Expert Response
Thank you, Jeanne, for your question!
I could not tell completely by your picture how extensively the leaves were chewed off. There may be some nearby wildlife that dine on your young plants, notably deer, rabbits, and squirrels are just a few. Many commercial repellents are unsafe for food crops. Cayenne pepper is a good deterrent however, this also deflects the pollinators to your garden. Fencing (including a top) would be your best option. Sprinkling lime around your plants to see if you can identify any footprints left in it and build your fence accordingly.
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/identifying_critter_damage_in_the_garden_and_landscape
Another probable culprit to your bean plants is the bean leaf beetle. This beetle is somewhat hard to identify as it is small at 1/4" long and can range in color from dark yellow with black markings to green, yellow, orange or red. They have a huge host of plants they enjoy soybean, green beans, clover and at times pumpkins and cucumbers.
Adult beetles emerge from the soil in the spring and find early host plants such as clover, alfalfa, and yes soybeans and green beans. They are most active in May and June enjoying young plant leaves! Eggs are laid in the soil around the base of the plant/s and hatch in about a week. The larva feed on the roots of plants for about 3 weeks before they pupate and finish their life cycle.
They chew from the bottom side of the leaves, making them difficult to identify. The best time to see them is between 12 and 4 pm. Shake them off your plants into a pail of soapy water if possible. Various pesticides may be used as this article points out toward the end of it. Bean leaf beetles in home gardens | UMN Extension In using any pesticide follow all label instructions and make sure it can be applied to edible plants!
Other options for bean leaf beetle control are to plant a trap crop of zinnias or marigolds away from the veggie garden to lure the beetles away from your beans. Interplant garlic or chives among the beans to deter the beetles. Keep the area free of any plant debris or diseased foliage. Use floating row cover or cloches to keep the beetles off your plants.
Your plant/s have extensive damage, so that you may want to replant them in another area of your garden with this new knowledge in hand.
http://extension.msstate.edu/newsletters/bugs-eye-view/2017/bean-leaf-beetle-vol-3-no-8
I could not tell completely by your picture how extensively the leaves were chewed off. There may be some nearby wildlife that dine on your young plants, notably deer, rabbits, and squirrels are just a few. Many commercial repellents are unsafe for food crops. Cayenne pepper is a good deterrent however, this also deflects the pollinators to your garden. Fencing (including a top) would be your best option. Sprinkling lime around your plants to see if you can identify any footprints left in it and build your fence accordingly.
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/identifying_critter_damage_in_the_garden_and_landscape
Another probable culprit to your bean plants is the bean leaf beetle. This beetle is somewhat hard to identify as it is small at 1/4" long and can range in color from dark yellow with black markings to green, yellow, orange or red. They have a huge host of plants they enjoy soybean, green beans, clover and at times pumpkins and cucumbers.
Adult beetles emerge from the soil in the spring and find early host plants such as clover, alfalfa, and yes soybeans and green beans. They are most active in May and June enjoying young plant leaves! Eggs are laid in the soil around the base of the plant/s and hatch in about a week. The larva feed on the roots of plants for about 3 weeks before they pupate and finish their life cycle.
They chew from the bottom side of the leaves, making them difficult to identify. The best time to see them is between 12 and 4 pm. Shake them off your plants into a pail of soapy water if possible. Various pesticides may be used as this article points out toward the end of it. Bean leaf beetles in home gardens | UMN Extension In using any pesticide follow all label instructions and make sure it can be applied to edible plants!
Other options for bean leaf beetle control are to plant a trap crop of zinnias or marigolds away from the veggie garden to lure the beetles away from your beans. Interplant garlic or chives among the beans to deter the beetles. Keep the area free of any plant debris or diseased foliage. Use floating row cover or cloches to keep the beetles off your plants.
Your plant/s have extensive damage, so that you may want to replant them in another area of your garden with this new knowledge in hand.
http://extension.msstate.edu/newsletters/bugs-eye-view/2017/bean-leaf-beetle-vol-3-no-8
