What's eating my swiss chard?

Swiss chard is troubled primarily by leaf miners, whose tunneling larvae disfigure leaves, and by slugs on young plants. Aphids and flea beetles also cause problems. In the garden, birds may peck seedlings. Leaf miners are the most common and frustrating pest — remove affected leaves immediately to break the cycle.

Larvae tunnel between leaf surfaces, creating pale, blotchy winding mines that render leaves inedible. Remove and destroy mined leaves immediately; use fine insect-proof mesh to exclude egg-laying flies; rotate crops.

Ragged holes in leaves and stems of seedlings, particularly in cool, wet weather. Apply iron phosphate pellets; use gritty barriers; hand-pick at night; water in the morning rather than evening.

Soft colonies on undersides of leaves; sticky honeydew attracts sooty mold and ant activity. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps; avoid excess nitrogen.

Numerous tiny round shot-holes punched in leaves by small, jumping adult beetles. Use row covers over seedlings; apply kaolin clay; plant later to miss peak adult emergence in spring.