After all the effort you've put into growing broccoli in your garden, finding that they have chewed, perforated, or discolored leaves can be more than a little disheartening.
It seems such a betrayal to your labors when you discover that your plants have been attacked by pests.
Sometimes it just seems that mother nature is going against all of your gardening efforts.
Identifying the culprits eating your broccoli leaves is crucial in safeguarding your vegetables from attack.
Damage to broccoli may be caused by by many things, ranging from insects through to large predators. It seems that it's not just you who finds broccoli be irresistibly appetizing.
Let's take a look at some of the more common pests of Broccoli plants, and ways to protect them in your garden.
What animals eat broccoli plants: Identifying the Main Predators of Broccoli Leaves
Caterpillars and Worms
Cabbage Loopers: These green or greyish caterpillars move in a "looping" motion. Imported Cabbageworms: Green caterpillars with a faint yellow stripe down their backs. Diamondback Moths: larvae are green caterpillars. Armyworms: Green, brown, or black caterpillars with stripes.
Caterpillars and Worms Removal: To remove caterpillars and worms from broccoli plants, simply handpick them regularly (use gloves). Using a water spray can help to dislodge smaller larvae.
Cabbage Aphids
Small, grey-green pests that cluster on the underside of broccoli leaves.
Removal/Prevention: Remove using a strong jet of water or wipe with a cloth. Deter aphids by using insecticides such as neem oil. Or try to encourage natural predators, such as ladybugs.
Flea Beetles
Tiny, dark beetles that chew small holes in the leaves.
Removal/Prevention: To remove flea beetles, shake them off the plants onto a sheet of paper. Then dispose of them. Flea beetles can be discouraged by use of companion planting, growing basil or catnip plants can be very beneficial.
Harlequin Bugs
Shield-shaped bugs that feed on sap, this causes a stippled appearance on the leaves.
Removal/Prevention: Hand-pick Harlequin Bugs off plants, and drown them in soapy water. Encourage natural predators such as spiders and ladybugs to help prevent attacks.
Slugs and Snails
These mollusks leave a nasty slimy trail behind them and will readily chew large, irregular holes in the leaves.
Removal/Prevention: Put your gloves on and hand-pick them off the plants very early in the morning or in the evening. To prevent slugs, create a barrier around plants using diatomaceous earth or copper tape (or if you don't mind using less natural solutions, then use slug pellets). Encouraging songbirds such as thrushes to the area can also be beneficial in getting rid of snails.
Whiteflies
Small, white insects that suck the sap from leaves. This can lead to yellowing and wilting.
Removal: Spray with insecticidal soap. Use sticky tape to reduce their population. To prevent whiteflies, encourage beneficial insect predators, such as ladybugs.
Thrips
Tiny, slender insects sap feeding insects. These cause stippling or silvering of leaves.
Removal: Use a strong stream of water to dislodge thrips from the plant, if this is not effective then use an insecticidal soap. Prevent thrip infestations by ensuring that plant debris is removed from the area where you are growing the broccoli plants. Use of a reflective mulch can help to prevent thrips laying their eggs in the area.
Deer and Rabbits
Deer often feed on various garden plants, including broccoli. Rabbits like to nibble on young broccoli leaves and stems.
Removal/Prevention. Shout at them, or use motion activated sprinklers! If deers and rabbits are a problem in your area, then it may be a good idea to use protective covers for your vegetables, and to build a good fence.
Birds
Birds usually only eat broccolli leaves if other food sources are scarce. They'd usually be happier eating any insects that they find on them.
Prevention: Supply an alternative food source for hungry birds.
Rodents
Rats, mice, and other rodents enjoy chewing on the leaves of young broccoli seedlings.
Remove using humane traps. Maintaining a clean garden can go a long way to preventing rodents from it. Try sealing off any entry points. Spraying peppermint oil, as a natural deterrent, around the garden perimeter can also help to prevent issues with rodents in the garden.
Nematodes
Although these microscopic worms primarily affect the roots, this may cause damage to the leaves indirectly.
Remove any plants affected by nematodes. Mixing in compost or adding organic soil that beneficial organisms that predate on these worms. If infestation is bad, it may be worthwhile to use a crop rotation strategy.
Will Broccoli grow if leaves have been eaten?
Fortunately, broccoli plants are pretty resilient. That said, whether or not they will thrive after being eaten will depend on the extent of leaf damage.
Minor nibbling of leaves will not generally impede growth. And plants suffering minor leaf damage will usually recover and flourish.
Unfortunately, if a substantial portion of leaf has been consumed then growth may become stunted, and thus the yield from a broccoli plant will be greatly reduced.
Keeping an eye out for and damage to leaves, and applying any necessary treatment should help prevent significant damage to broccoli leaves before it becomes problematic.
How to keep bugs off broccoli plants naturally?
A good way of stop bugs eating broccoli leaves is to introduce beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings. These are natural predators of aphids.
Companion planting of garlic and marigolds is a great natural way of discouraging unwanted bugs. Companion plants are great for promoting healthy, pest-free garden spaces.
You may also wish to use natural insecticides to spray on broccoli for bugs. Some of the best ones to try as organic deterrents are neem oil and diatomaceous earth (made from the sediment of fossilized marine phytoplankton).
Insecticidal soaps can also be used, though as these are often made from fatty acids derived from animals you may prefer not to use them.
Summary
To prevent damage to your broccoli plants it may be necessary to implement a pest management strategy. Dependent upon what is eating the leaves, these strategies may include regular monitoring for pests, the use of protective netting, encouraging beneficial insects, and sensible use of natural pesticides.
