identifying pests in the garden

[terracotta]

Our campanulas and hostas are being eaten by a pest (we believe in the night), leaving just the stalk of a plant with no leaves. What could it be, and will these plants survive?

[greenfingers]

This is nearly sure to be slugs.Go out with a torch and catch them at it. You can use slug pellets but if you do I advise that you clear them up in the morning along with any slugs and snails to proect birds and other wildlife.

[robber1]

I am surprised at slugs harming Campanulas to that extent. I always grow Hostas in pots or chimneys. They look good this way too. Slug pellets can be put on top of the soil in the pots thus being away from other creatures. My Hostes are never nibbled!

[Newt]

Here in the US deer eat those as if they are candy. If the cuts are diagnal, then it's rabbits. Newt

[Keleez]

you will prob find it is slugs having a bit of a munch, usually slugs are attracted to light green leaves, occasionally they go for dark green leafed plants but their preference is pale green leaf plants