From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Deerfield, Michigan

Check out my diary.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=201448
Please help.

6/26/2013 11:36:35 AM

Connecticut

I need some more information as to is this just one leaf or multiple.

But right now my guesses are...

-Birds
-Insects
-Bamboo stakes

6/26/2013 11:40:06 AM

Deerfield, Michigan

It is on about 25% of my leaves. Not bamboo stakes. Almost like a chewing thing rather then pecking. No visible sign of insects.

6/26/2013 11:51:50 AM

Deerfield, Michigan

Could it be from the wind? We have had a lot of wind over the past few days. Looks like it was cracked leaf then shrunk up.

6/26/2013 12:49:33 PM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

I never determined what this was in my patch, but it happened earlier on. About identical- those leaves are still green and healthy an its been about a month. My only guess was either super quick growth (wet/warm period) combined w small tears from wind, or slugs. They were the only bug I could find at the time.

6/26/2013 1:39:03 PM

west central IN/East central IL

The wind was my first thought.

6/26/2013 3:34:43 PM

Omaha, Ne.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=181413

birds like to look for bugs first thing in the morning and cause the holes (I think).
I spent a lot of time worrying about the same problem last year. never did catch the villain red handed. I spent a lot of time spraying for bugs. But in the end I cause more damage then the holes.

I got them again this year. but I just ignore them.

6/26/2013 6:44:09 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

I've had birds do that in my patch. Goldfinches to be specific and I've caught them in the act. They like to eat the soft part of the leaves. They always avoid the veins. Usually the highest leaves are eaten and not the lower ones.

6/26/2013 7:07:39 PM

Central NY

That looks like snail/slug damage to me...seems like there are a lot this year.....I read somewhere that they won't cross copper pipe cuz they get zapped like your tounge on a 9 volt battery....hope ya figure it out...

6/26/2013 8:00:33 PM

Michigan

Hey Al, I had some hail visit my patch about ten days ago and some of my leafs look similar to that. It seems as the leaf grows the holes get bigger. That might be something to consider. Have you gotten an hail lately?

6/26/2013 8:33:31 PM

President - GPC

Those are not hail holes... are you using Merit or Bayer? ItZ being eaten by something... You can put out a sticky card... yellow like the colors of our pumpkin flowers...with sticky glue on the card you can get glue at the nurserys.. they sell stuff to keep birdZ from landing..

Spread it out on the card like fly paper..and put the card out in the patch.you will see all kinds of diff bugZ that visit your patch....

6/27/2013 10:33:45 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

slugs or snails and bamboo stakes as matt already stated were my first thoughts

6/27/2013 11:44:37 AM

Colorado

I used to feed the birds in the summer and the young gracles would live in the patch. They have a pecking instinct(watch a pigeon).They put many holes just like that-I quit feeding the birds

6/27/2013 12:57:21 PM

Deerfield, Michigan

Thanks for everyones response. I had some more damage today and think I'm gonna try the sticky trap thing. I do have a bunch of barn swallows. No hail here (thank God). If it was slugs you think I would be able to see them during inspection but never saw one. We have had a ton of rain lately so it could just about anything. Once again thanks to all.

6/27/2013 5:47:51 PM

Deerfield, Michigan

Slugs..... I found them yesterday after another rain storm.

6/30/2013 9:47:47 AM