What Is Eating My Impatiens

You walk out to your garden, expecting a burst of color from your impatiens, only to find ragged leaves, missing flowers, or worse, just stems. It’s a frustrating sight for any gardener. If you’re wondering what is eating my impatiens, you’re not alone. These popular shade plants are a favorite target for several common garden pests. This guide will help you identify the culprits and give you clear, effective solutions to protect your blooms.

Several insects and animals find impatiens as appealing as we do. The damage they leave behind is your first clue. By looking closely at the signs, you can figure out who the offender is and choose the right fix.

1. Spider Mites (Almost Invisible Sap-Suckers)

These are tiny arachnids, not insects, that you might need a magnifying glass to see. They pierce plant cells and suck out the juices, causing a stippled or speckled look on leaves.

Signs: Leaves look dusty or have fine yellow speckles. You might see delicate webbing, especially under leaves or where stems meet. Leaves eventually turn brown, curl, and drop.
Solution: Spray plants firmly with a strong jet of water every few days to dislodge mites. For bad cases, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, making sure to coat the undersides of leaves.

2. Aphids (Tiny Green, Black, or White Clusters)

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that gather in groups on new growth and under leaves. They secrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can lead to sooty mold.

Signs: Curled or distorted new leaves. Clusters of tiny bugs on stems and buds. Sticky residue on leaves or a black, sooty fungus.
Solution: A strong water spray often knocks them off. Ladybugs and lacewings are natural predators. Insecticidal soap is a very effective treatment when applied directly.

3. Thrips (Slender Flower-Ruiners)

Thrips are minute, slender insects that rasp at flower petals and leaves, sucking up the released sap. They are particularly fond of light-colored blooms.

Signs: Flowers look streaked, spotted, or prematurely faded. Petals may have silvery scars. Leaves can develop a silvery sheen and black specks (their waste).
Solution: Remove and discard badly damaged flowers. Blue sticky traps can help monitor them. Consistent applications of neem oil can reduce their numbers.

Identifying Chewing Pest Damage

While sap-suckers cause discoloration, chewing pests leave holes or missing sections. Here’s how to tell them apart.

4. Slugs and Snails (Nighttime Slime Trails)

These are likely the most common answer to “what is eating my impatiens?” They feed at night and in damp weather, leaving irregular holes and shredded edges.

Signs: Large, irregular holes in leaves and flowers. Silvery slime trails on leaves, soil, or nearby surfaces. Damage is often worst after rain.
Solution: Handpick them at night with a flashlight. Set up beer traps (a cup sunk in the soil filled with beer). Use iron phosphate-based bait, which is safe for pets and wildlife.

5. Caterpillars and Loopers (Voracious Leaf-Munchers)

Several types of caterpillars, including cabbage loopers, may find your impatiens tasty. They can consume large amounts of foliage quickly.

Signs: Large, ragged holes or entire sections of leaf missing. You might find dark green droppings (frass) on leaves below. Sometimes the caterpillar is still there, hiding under a leaf.
Solution: Handpick caterpillars if you see them. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural bacterial spray that specifically targets caterpillars without harming other insects.

6. Deer and Rabbits (Large Animal Pests)

In many areas, mammals are the culprits. Impatiens are not deer-resistant, and rabbits find young shoots very appealing.

Signs (Deer): Torn leaves and stems, as deer have no upper front teeth. Plants may be roughly browsed, with damage several feet off the ground.
Signs (Rabbits): Clean-cut, angled clipping on stems, as if cut with shears. Damage is close to the ground. You may see rabbit droppings nearby.
Solution: Fencing is the most reliable method. For rabbits, a 2-foot tall chicken wire fence buried a few inches works. For deer, an 8-foot fence is often needed. Repellents can offer temporary protection but need frequent reapplication.

Integrated Pest Management for Healthy Impatiens

Instead of just reacting, a good strategy combines prevention, monitoring, and control. This approach is healthier for your garden and the enviroment.

Inspect Regularly: Check your plants every few days, especially under leaves. Early detection makes control much easier.
Encourage Beneficials: Plant flowers like yarrow and dill to attract ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps that eat pests.
Water Properly: Water at the soil level, not overhead, to keep leaves dry and less inviting to slugs and fungal diseases.
Keep it Clean: Remove dead leaves and spent blooms where pests can hide. Clear garden debris in the fall.
Choose Treatments Wisely: Start with the least toxic option, like water sprays or handpicking. Use products like soaps and oils as a next step, always following label instructions.

Step-by-Step: Diagnosing and Treating Your Plants

Follow this simple process when you first notice damage.

Examine the Damage: Are leaves speckled (sap-suckers) or holed (chewers)? Is the plant cut off at the base (rabbits)?
Check for the Pest: Look under leaves, along stems, and in the soil at the plant’s base. Come out at night with a flashlight to catch nocturnal feeders.
Identify the Culprit: Match the signs and the pest you see to the descriptions above.
Take Immediate Action: Use the specific solution recommended for that pest.
Monitor and Follow Up: Treat again if needed in 5-7 days, as eggs can hatch. Continue regular inspections.

FAQ: Common Questions About Impatiens Pests

Why are holes appearing in my impatiens leaves overnight?

This is classic slug, snail, or caterpillar damage. Inspect at night with a flashlight to confirm. Look for slime trails or the pests themselves on and around the plants.

What’s making my impatiens flowers disappear?

Thrips can ruin flowers, but entire missing blooms often point to deer or rabbits. Also, check for caterpillars that might be eating the flower buds before they even open.

How can I stop pests without harming bees?

Avoid spraying when flowers are in bloom and bees are active. Use targeted treatments like Bt for caterpillars or iron phosphate for slugs. Insecticidal soap and neem oil break down quickly and are low-risk if applied at dawn or dusk when bees aren’t foraging.

My impatiens leaves look dusty and are falling off. What’s wrong?

This is almost certainly spider mites, especially in hot, dry weather. They thrive in dusty conditions. Increase humidity with regular watering and start spraying the foliage with water.

Are there any impatiens varieties that resist pests better?

New Guinea impatiens tend to have thicker, glossier leaves that are slightly less susceptible to slug and snail damage compared to common garden impatiens. However, no plant is completely pest-proof.

Figuring out what is eating your impatiens is the first step to a solution. By taking a close look at the damage and following the steps outlined, you can identify the problem and choose an effective, targeted response. With a little vigilance and the right approach, you can protect your impatiens and enjoy their cheerful color all season long. Remember, a healthy garden is the best defense, so focus on good care practices to keep your plants strong.