Thank You For Getting Back To Me About My Birch…
John Asked
Thank you for getting back to me about my birch seedling. It can’t be any critter as the seedlings are only 1/2 inch high, and the leaves are no bigger than a pea. Yes, there are ants in and around the pot, and whatever is eating the leaves, it eats the whole leaf.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, John in Nevada: The ants that are around your seedlings are not likely the culprits since they can’t digest solid food. They would have to carry it back to their nest to feed their young but it has to be regurgitated first. Ants prefer to feed on other insects such as caterpillars, spiders , bees, and flies. Ants, however, can be an indicator of aphids, which are small, soft-bodied insects that use their piercing-sucking mouth parts to feed on plant foliage. They secrete a substance called honeydew that the ants are attracted to. Although from the way you describe the foliage being completely chewed off this does not sound like an aphid problem either. Even though your seedlings are just one-half inch high a rabbit or other small critter could certainly be the culprit. Whatever is chewing on your seedlings has to have a larger mouth than an ant or aphid. For now, inspect your seedlings for insects and think about creating a protective barrier so when they put on new growth they cannot be chewed on anymore.
