What is eating my pea seedlings?

[vegswap]

Something is eating my pea seedlings. I can't see any slug trails. Could it be mice? Here is a link to a picture I took of them if that is of any help. http://www.vegswap.co.uk/blog/image....otment+009.jpg. How would I stop mice? I think they ate my carrots last year too. Help!!

[marmite]

Error 404 on link

[vegswap]

http://www.vegswap.co.uk/blog/image....otment+009.jpg

Hopefully that works better!

[Lesley Jay]

The leaves look as if they have notches in them where they have been eaten. This is usually the work of pea weavils.

[DavidT]

I think it more likely to be weevils as well.

[marmite]

How about a vegetarian pigeon. Cover with net to see if it stops. Regards Marmite

[Lez]

Hi ya Vegswap, Had a look at your piccie and the scalloped edges are definately pea/bean weevil. there is not a lot to be done apparently you can run a sticky board over the top of the plant and they jump on. I don't know of any chemical control. If the plants are healthy they should be ok and the damage will be out grown. If mice were the problem you would find the stem on the ground as it's the pea itself they go for. If you do have a mouse problem an older gardener told me to soak my peas in mild soapy water with tee tree oil added and this put them off. others say soak peas in parrafin but parafin stinks and takes ages to wash of you hands wether you use gloves or not. Monitor the peas and I believe the attack from weevils is short lived as the plant grow and get sturdier they are left alone. Did you sow direct? another idea could be grow them in pots and then transplant out. you get the same damage with young broad beans aswell. good luck.

[Eddie Spud]

Hi Vegswap

Last year I planted peas directly into the soil, only to find that NONE of them germinated. I then tried starting them off in pots, as Lez suggests, with more success and when they were big enough I then planted these out. I ended up with a good seasons crop.
Although to be honest, I think my OH and myself ate more peas straight from the pod (Mmmmmm ) than actually reached the kitchen.

P.S. Sorry I can't help with identifying your problem.

regards
Eddie