For several years now we have grown runner beans in the garden using the
traditional trench and cane method. I'm unsure of the variety of bean we
grow as we have saved seed for several years and the variety has been
forgotten.

The seeds germinated well and were placed in position as usual against
the canes. Now comes the unusual bit, they are being eaten in a way, and
with a ferocity, we have never seen before. The leaves were totally
removed on some plants literally overnight, leaving a stalk bereft of
any foliage. We suspected slugs and baited appropriately (the good old
fashioned variety of slug bait, so hated by the tree huggers). Attack
still happened, we sprayed using a wide spectrum pest control spray
(only to be repeated a few times/ growing season), plants still
attacked, leaves holed and the lead shoots totally demolished in some
cases. Snail/ slug trails have been noted around the bases of the plants
even after baiting, otherwise no sign of any insect residence locally.
Only exception being a sort of ground dwelling spider I've never seen
before, that doesn't appear to have any web in evidence. Herbivorous
spiders, no such thing is there?

Anyone with similar problems? Better still likely causes. Even better
than that solutions.

I'm all ears for any likely theories. Thanks in advance.

On Jun 17, 3:46*pm, Tobias wrote:
For several years now we have grown runner beans in the garden using the
traditional trench and cane method. I'm unsure of the variety of bean we
grow as we have saved seed for several years and the variety has been
forgotten.

The seeds germinated well and were placed in position as usual against
the canes. Now comes the unusual bit, they are being eaten in a way, and
with a ferocity, we have never seen before. The leaves were totally
removed on some plants literally overnight, leaving a stalk bereft of
any foliage. We suspected slugs and baited appropriately (the good old
fashioned variety of slug bait, so hated by the tree huggers). Attack
still happened, we sprayed using a wide spectrum pest control spray
(only to be repeated a few times/ growing season), plants still
attacked, leaves holed and the lead shoots totally demolished in some
cases. Snail/ slug trails have been noted around the bases of the plants
even after baiting, otherwise no sign of any insect residence locally.
Only exception being a sort of ground dwelling spider I've never seen
before, that doesn't appear to have any web in evidence. Herbivorous
spiders, no such thing is there?

Anyone with similar problems? Better still likely causes. Even better
than that solutions.

I'm all ears for any likely theories. Thanks in advance.

Mice or pigeons. The latter come at first light usually.
For pigeons, net or bird scarer. Has to be changed every couple of
weeks.
Mice, poison.