🍃 Why Are My Leaves Covered in Holes?

Leaves full of holes are a classic sign of pest damage. In most cases, the culprit is feeding at night or when you’re not looking. The size, shape, and pattern of the holes give strong clues about what’s responsible.

Here’s a clear, practical guide to the most common causes—and what to do about them.

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🐌 1. Slugs and Snails (Most Common Cause)

These are the number one reason leaves look like lace.

Signs

• Large, ragged holes
• Damage worse overnight
• Slime trails on leaves or soil
• Seedlings hit hardest

What to do

• Go out at dusk and remove by hand
• Use barriers (copper, grit, wool pellets)
• Keep areas weed-free and tidy
• Protect young plants early

🐛 2. Caterpillars

Caterpillars chew neat holes quickly.

Signs

• Large or irregular holes
• Black droppings on leaves
• Caterpillars hiding underneath leaves

Common targets

• Brassicas
• Lettuce
• Beans

What to do

• Check undersides of leaves regularly
• Remove caterpillars by hand
• Use fine netting to prevent egg laying

🪲 3. Flea Beetles (Tiny Holes Everywhere)

These cause lots of small “shot holes”.

Signs

• Tiny round holes
• Leaves look peppered
• Seedlings suffer most

Common on

• Radishes
• Rocket
• Turnips
• Brassicas

What to do

• Keep soil moist (they prefer dry conditions)
• Use fleece or mesh
• Grow fast and sow little and often

🐞 4. Beetles or Weevils

Some beetles chew leaf edges and surfaces.

Signs

• Semi-circular notches on leaf edges
• Irregular holes
• Damage often at night

What to do

• Inspect plants after dark
• Improve plant health so they outgrow damage
• Remove heavily affected leaves

🐜 5. Earwigs

Often overlooked, but they chew leaves and flowers.

Signs

• Jagged holes
• Damage to soft growth
• Hide in dark, damp places during the day

What to do

• Trap using rolled newspaper or pots with straw
• Remove hiding spots near plants
• Hand remove when found

🌧️ 6. Environmental Damage (Less Common)

Not all holes are pests.

Possible causes

• Wind tearing soft leaves
• Hail damage
• Leaves tearing as they unfurl

Signs

• Clean splits rather than chewed edges
• Damage appears suddenly after weather events

What to do

• Protect plants from wind
• Leave plants to grow out of it

🧠 Quick Diagnosis Guide

• Big ragged holes + slime? → Slugs/snails
• Tiny peppered holes? → Flea beetles
• Large holes + droppings? → Caterpillars
• Notched edges? → Weevils or beetles
• Damage overnight? → Night feeders

🧠 Key Takeaway

Holes in leaves are almost always caused by chewing pests, not disease. Identify the pattern, act early, and most plants recover quickly once growth speeds up.

Young plants need the most protection—once established, they can usually tolerate a surprising amount of leaf damage.