Kale is a popular leafy green vegetable, common in many home gardens due to its robust nature and adaptability. Its widespread availability and rich nutrient profile make it an attractive food source for a diverse range of animals. Gardeners often discover their kale plants have been nibbled or entirely consumed by unexpected visitors.
Common Insect and Invertebrate Pests
Several insect and invertebrate species frequently target kale, leaving distinct signs. Cabbage worms, larvae of cabbage white butterflies and loopers, quickly strip kale leaves, creating large, irregular holes in the foliage. Aphids, small sap-sucking insects, cluster on leaf undersides and stems, causing yellowing, curling, or stunted growth. A sticky honeydew might be present on affected leaves.
Flea beetles, tiny jumping insects, chew numerous small, circular holes into kale leaves, often described as “shot-hole” damage. This damage can be severe on young seedlings. Slugs and snails consume kale leaves from their outer edges, creating large, ragged holes. Their feeding is typically nocturnal, and they leave a characteristic shiny slime trail.
Mammalian Eaters
Mammals can cause significant damage to kale plants, with distinct feeding patterns. Rabbits are known for their fondness for leafy greens; they typically nibble leaves and young shoots, leaving clean-cut edges on the remaining foliage. Deer also consume kale, especially when other food sources are scarce, eating entire plants or large sections of leaves, often leaving ragged tears.
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are particularly fond of leafy greens. They can systematically mow down entire rows of kale plants, eating them to the ground. Squirrels enjoy kale; they may bite through stalks and leave scattered debris, often damaging leaves without consuming them entirely.
Avian and Other Occasional Eaters
Birds occasionally feed on kale, though their damage is often less severe compared to insects or larger mammals. Pigeons peck at kale leaves, sometimes stripping them to the main veins or breaking stems. Sparrows may also cause minor leaf damage.
Opossums are opportunistic omnivores that consume kale. They can cause damage by eating leaves and other plant parts, especially fallen produce. While generally less frequent or destructive than insects or common mammals, their presence can still impact a kale harvest.
Identifying the Culprit
Observing the specific type of damage on kale leaves is key to identifying the culprit. Numerous small, round holes resembling “shot holes” indicate flea beetles. Large, irregular holes with chewed edges suggest cabbage worms or other caterpillars, especially if tiny green droppings are visible. A shiny, silvery trail on leaves or surrounding soil indicates slugs or snails, which also leave ragged holes.
Clean-cut edges on remaining leaves suggest rabbits. When entire plants or significant portions are missing, or large, torn sections of leaves are present, deer are a strong possibility. If plants are systematically eaten to the ground and burrows are nearby, groundhogs are a probable cause. Squirrel damage appears as bitten-through stalks or partially eaten leaves.