Question
Hi Mike, for the 2nd year in a row my hostas are starting to look like something is feeding off of them. I have a shade yard that is filled with close to 100 mixed hostas, along with coral bells, ferns, lillies and other perennials. I work very hard on my yard each year and love my hostas. The damage starts out on one small hosta and spreads throughout my yard to the larger ones. At first the leaves get little holes in them. Within a week or less, the leaves can be completely eaten off or look almost like a "spider web" because of the damage. Last year it was misdiagnosed-slugs, which I saw none of in my entire yard and almost all my hostas were destroyed by summer's end. This year I was told to use Ortho EcoSense Outdoor spray for mites, aphids, whiteflies, leafhoppers, etc.  When I touch the leaves or water the plants, tiny "flies" resembling a small mosquito with white wings and a dark body flutter all over the place. They only appear to be on the hostas. Are they the cause and is this product going to work? I hate to see my beautiful plants being eaten alive! Thanks so much for your help!

Diana

Answer
Diana, hostas are favorites of slugs, flea beetles, aphids, and whiteflies. I always recommend sprinkling Sluggo around the plants to deter slugs. For the flying insects, the product you are using will work, but it is a contact spray, meaning it has very little effect after a day or two. I believe an insecticidal dust such as sevin or rotenone is your best option. Sprinkle it on the foliage on a day when you know it will be dry for at least 48 hours. The dust will kill any insects it comes into contact with and will remain on the plant for several days, or until you receive a heavy rain.

I hope this answered your question. Good luck, and please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike