- 1). Make a quick visual scan of the plant surfaces that you can see. An insect might be easily located.
- 2). Look under the leaves, particularly the ones with holes in them. An insect could be underneath in a shady spot while snacking.
- 3). Check for curled over leaves. Some insects wrap the leaf around them after eating and then form a pocket for their cocoon or egg laying.
- 4). Note whether whole leaves and sections of the plant is missing. If so, then you have something larger eating your plants. Likely culprits are deer or rabbits. You may notice deer tracks in the soft soil of the garden.
- 5). Look for slime trails that would indicate snails or slugs. Look from different angles with the sun shining down and you'll see their glistening tracks.