Which pests nibble courgettes?

lucystardust

Hi guys,

I'm a complete beginner with gardening, but have started to grow some courgettes in tubs which were growing quite well...

I've noticed that something has started nibbling at the courgettes on the plants, and have also found lots of half eaten courgettes that they have bitten off and eaten on the ground! Would it be rabbits doing this?

Yorkie1

Could be slugs/snails, rabbits, mice, squirrels ...

emiff6

We used to have a cat that was crazy for cucumbers, and while she never took meat or fish if it was left unguarded, she just could not resist chomping cucumber, so it's not impossible that a cat may be the culprit. If so, a few drops of garlic oil on the soil under the plants might put it off, or the odd dab of chilli powder on the courgettes.

olly300

emiff6 wrote: »

We used to have a cat that was crazy for cucumbers, and while she never took meat or fish if it was left unguarded, she just could not resist chomping cucumber, so it's not impossible that a cat may be the culprit. If so, a few drops of garlic oil on the soil under the plants might put it off, or the odd dab of chilli powder on the courgettes.

Unfortunately I've found one cat that doesn't not mind chilli even if it's extra hot. :eek:

My neighbour's cat is quite happy walking, rolling and digging around at my plants and the surrounding soil even though I've sprinkled chilli powder on it.

There as other cats in the neighbourhood are completely put off by it.

BTW the chilli is to stop the squirrels and foxes having a go at my plants.

lucystardust

Oooo chilli powder, that's a good tip!

I didn't know that cats would nibble veg. The other night I heard a sound in the garden, switched on the light and there were 2 cats there so maybe it was them!