Morning glories are cherished ornamental plants, admired for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms and vigorous growth. These annual vines can quickly transform a garden space. However, morning glories often become a target for various animals. Understanding which creatures are responsible is the first step in protecting these popular plants.
Animals That Eat Morning Glories
Morning glories attract various insects and mammals. Caterpillars, including cutworms and hornworms, chew leaves, creating irregular holes, and can even sever stems. Slugs and snails also feed on foliage, leaving ragged holes. Sap-sucking pests like spider mites and aphids pierce plant tissues to extract fluids.
Mammals that damage morning glories include rabbits, which eat tender leaves and vines, often chewing stems to the ground. Deer are attracted to the lush foliage and colorful flowers, browsing on leaves and flowers and often consuming entire sections. Voles and groundhogs also feed on these plants, with groundhogs sometimes climbing to reach leaves. Squirrels have also been observed eating morning glory flowers.
Signs of Animal Damage
Identifying the specific animal causing damage involves observing distinct patterns. Chewed leaves with irregular holes often indicate caterpillar feeding, especially with small droppings. Slime trails on leaves or nearby surfaces are a clear sign of slugs or snails. Yellowed, crinkling, or stippled leaves with sticky residue (honeydew) suggest aphids or spider mites; fine webbing confirms spider mites.
When larger sections or entire plants are missing or cleanly nipped off, rabbits or deer are often responsible. Deer typically leave ragged edges on browsed leaves. If plants are cut off at the soil level, particularly young ones, cutworms or rabbits could be the cause. For damage near the ground, such as girdling or tunneling, checking for burrows or tracks can indicate voles or groundhogs.
Protecting Your Morning Glories
Several strategies can help protect morning glories from animal damage. Erecting fencing around your plants can deter larger mammals like deer and rabbits; deer fences should be 6 to 8 feet high and angled outwards. Row covers provide a physical barrier against smaller insect pests like caterpillars. Copper tape around the base of plants or pots deters slugs and snails.
Repellents offer another layer of protection. Commercial sprays deter deer and rabbits. Homemade solutions, such as garlic or hot pepper, can be used but may need frequent reapplication. Companion planting, like marigolds, can also deter aphids.
Maintaining healthy cultural practices contributes to pest prevention. Regularly inspecting plants allows for early detection. Proper watering and spacing make plants more resilient. Removing weeds reduces alternative food sources and hiding spots. Deadheading spent flowers helps manage plant vigor.