What's eating my leatherleaf sedge?

Leatherleaf Sedge (Carex buchananii) is generally robust and rarely seriously bothered by pests. Slugs and snails can damage the base of clumps, especially in moist conditions. Aphids occasionally appear on young shoots, and vine weevil grubs threaten container plants. Deer typically avoid this species.

Ragged chewing at leaf bases and lower stems; slime trails visible in morning. Apply iron phosphate pellets; set beer traps; clear mulch and debris where slugs hide overnight.

Sticky, distorted young leaves; visible colonies of soft insects on new growth in spring. Blast off with water; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap; attract beneficial insects.

Notched leaf margins from adults; root-feeding grubs cause wilting or total collapse in pots. Use pathogenic nematodes in late summer; check roots during autumn repotting.