Hello, friends! Today I’m going to tell you about a rather interesting pest.
⚡QUICK ANSWER: Yes. Groundhogs eat hostas — they love the tender leaves and can strip an entire plant in a day.
🔍Symptoms
Groundhogs feed aggressively on hostas. They grab the petioles (leaf stems) with their paws and rip the leaves off, often leaving nothing behind. They can even dig up and chew on the rhizome.
Deer, on the other hand, usually eat only the leaves and leave the stems standing. This makes it easy to tell the difference — deer leave stems, groundhogs leave almost nothing.
Read also: How to Grow a Hosta Properly.
🦫How to Keep Groundhogs from Eating Hostas
1. Use live traps (humane option)
Set a long cage-style trap with bait inside. Thin slices of cantaloupe leading to a larger piece on the trigger work best. When the groundhog enters, the door closes without harming it.
2. Let a dog patrol the area
Groundhogs avoid places where dogs roam. Even the presence or scent of a dog can keep them away.
3. Install fencing
Use mesh fencing around your hostas. For groundhogs, bury the bottom 10–12 inches to prevent digging. If deer are also a problem, choose fencing 5–7 feet tall.
4. Apply repellents
Strong-scented liquid repellents (store-bought or homemade) discourage groundhogs, deer, and rabbits. Apply during dry weather so the product can dry on the plants and keep working.
🌱What to Do if Your Hostas Are Already Damaged
If pests have eaten your hostas, you can still help them recover. Follow these steps:
Give them extra shade
Reduce stress by providing temporary shade using a garden umbrella or shade cloth. If using netting, create a simple frame with four stakes.
Keep the soil consistently moist
Water regularly and don’t let the soil dry out deeper than 1 inch. Moist soil encourages new growth.
Leave any remaining stems
Do not cut off partially eaten stems. They can still photosynthesize and help the plant rebuild energy.
Fertilize lightly
Apply a small amount of fertilizer. With fewer leaves, the plant needs less food — too much fertilizer can cause additional stress.
