Impatiens Leaves Are Getting Eaten But Not Flowers

Question From: Stockton, California, United States
Q: something eats the leaves on my impatients and leaves the flower on top. coould it be grubs or cutworms? What to do?

A: I think it may be slugs or another member of the snail family. They feed at night, so tiptoe into the garden with a flashlight and check out the plants. Slugs are in the snail family, however they have no shells. Slugs and snails are best treated with a product containing iron phosphate, such as Sluggo. If you see notches in the leaves it can be vine weevil. Take a sample of the damaged plant to your local independent garden center for a more accurate Id. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy