No doubt in my mind, slugs. I've had them in my containered hostas and gerberas on my deck! They also climbed my railing to devour my marigolds in a windowbox hanging off of it.

I have gone out into my greenhouses after dark and once ended up with a slug in my mouth! It was hanging from the roof by it's slime.......just dangling in midair, evidently taking a shortcut to the benches without the work of crawling down the wet walls of the structure. Disgusting. I shoulda also kept my mouth closed. You betcha they crawl into potted material.

My shady garden is being eaten up by small white flying bugs, I think, I use a strong smelling spray called Malathion that works for awhile but needs to be reapplied after a heavy rain. The bugs seem to enjoy the fleshy hostas but also are after the black eyed susans. Is there something i can use that will last longer and not be so toxic?

I had a pot of Gerber Daisies on my deck. we also feed the squirrels close by. One of the squirrels was sitting in the Gerber daisy pot munching on the flower blossom and had eaten the leaves also.
Claire

SLUGS
I am having a terrible time with slugs. Put a shallow containger in your bed and fill with beer. Slugs love beer and will drown. It is a chemical free way to get rid of them. I call it my slug bar and it is full everyday.

I have had the same thing but I did find out how to prevent it on my hostas - surround it with pine needles,(they are usually covered up by the big leaves if you don't like the look). This has worked for me for several years BUT I have the same holes in my gerber daisies and where I have planted them, I don't want the pine needle look so hope someone might have another idea. Love this site - Thanks, All!!!!