Never saw this before, any help appreciated

[neoguy]

OK, we planted 6 peppers in the backyard, left the markers in front of the plants, everything was going great until I got home this afternoon. 2 plants completely defoliated, we've never had this happen before, I'm at a lose. The other odd thing is that the other plant labels are missing, really strange. Any ideas?

[RayR]

My guess would be a rabbit. They will munch on pepper leaves and stems.

[muskymojo]

The labels missing is the weird part, but I could definitely see rabbits doing that too. I had rabbits when I was a kid. They would eat raspberry branches covered in thorns one after another without it bothering them one bit. One time, I brought 2 rabbits into the basement overnight without telling my parents because it was brutally cold outside. By the next morning they had almost completely removed the sheetrock as high as they could reach in the finished part of the basement. Needless to say I was in a bit of trouble...

[casserole]

I see now that a
5 gallon bucket is a good bunny deterent

[neoguy]

Thanks for the replies. But, I don't think it's a rabbit, I've not seen one in my yard in the 20 years I've lived here, very urban area. Also, our greens are perfect, completely untouched (hope I didn't jinx them by saying that). And, the missing labels that is weird.

[Farmette]

I don't know what to say about the labels. But other animals besides cats can and will eat pepper leaves. My cat is addicted to them. He never jumps on top of the kitchen table unless I have a tray of peppers on it. The first time my peppers had leaves that had been eaten, I couldn't imagine what it was since they were still inside of my house. That is until I saw him eating them. It doesn't matter what variety they are mild, medium, hot...even Bhut Jolokia ...he loves them.

[OneDahlia]

A couple of my peppers look similar to yours. I don't know what it is but hope to find out soon -- humane trap is set and baited with fruit. Same creature has been enjoying my pea plants and lettuce. (Garden fence is still under construction, but there's an extra roll of fencing now protecting those peppers.)

[nctomatoman]

I've had deer do that to mine - rabbits as well.

[salix]

I have an early season problem with crows and ravens eating the first fresh greens and very deliberately pulling out the labels/markers - even when they are pushed a good 6 inches into the soil.

[CinnamintStick]

Originally Posted by salix

I have an early season problem with crows and ravens eating the first fresh greens and very deliberately pulling out the labels/markers - even when they are pushed a good 6 inches into the soil.

I have the same raven problem. The just picked my leaves off my peppers and eggplants. My poor beans never see more than a hour of day light before they are plucked out of the ground.

[kath]

We've got lots of crows around and the only way we can keep them out of sprouting peas, corn and beans is to put chicken wire tunnels over the rows for a few weeks until they're not interested anymore.

[neoguy]

I'm happy to report there is no new damage. We replaced the eaten peppers with some store bought hybrids. I have to believe the damage was done by slugs, birds or cats. I hope they're done feasting.

[tjg911]

not sure how firm your soil is but i do not see any tracks. cottontail rabbits are small even the large adults don't look to be more than 3-4 pounds. they may be able to leave no track. goundhogs are pretty heavy unless it's a baby. they have claws but again i don't see any evidence. i never heard of cats eating peppers, that's a surprise. but again a cat weighing 8-12 pounds probably would leave tracks in soft soil. if your soil is compacted from time, rain, composition or you walking on it then maybe nothing short of a deer would leave tracks.

definitely not a deer even the smallest fawn would sink a little into the ground around the plants unless they stood back further than your photos captured.

the way i deal with this (deer will nibble on certain crops in september) is to surround each plant or all with some fencing and if not tall enough cover it with more fencing. 2"X4" welded wire is very good to use and i often cut 2' or 3' tall into 12" tall strips that's why i mention covers. i also use unused crw cages to surround carrots and beets come september due to deer.

tom

[jennifer28]

At the risk of sounding stupid, do you have groundhogs around there?
We have groundhogs here and they dig things up, it is totally annoying. I have seen skunks also just digging in the garden but I have not seen skunks touch my plants, they were just looking for grubs. The groundhogs are pretty destructive. They seem to prefer brassicas. But they will eat lots of other things. I'm wondering if it is a groundhog or two.

[Farmette]

Is it possible it is a woodchuck? Here are pictures of the woodchuck in our garden from last year in the peas, rolling out of the peas and on his way out. Beans, etc. were eaten too and after he was "out of the picture" the damage stopped.