Something Eating Seeds Underground - Ask Extension
Hello, last year I had this problem with bean and squash seeds and now this year I am already having the same problem with pea seeds (and potentially ...
Knowledgebase
Something Eating Seeds Underground #928599
Asked April 16, 2026, 1:45 PM EDT
Hello, last year I had this problem with bean and squash seeds and now this year I am already having the same problem with pea seeds (and potentially my kale and chard seeds too). I have a long garden bed that is slightly raised but right on top of the soil (as I wanted to improve soil health via my garden). Last year, I had a massive problem with some sort of worm eating my bean and squash seeds after direct sowing them. I would go about a week without seeing any sprouts and then dig down to find partially eaten seeds, seedlings that had sprouted their first root and had the root eaten, as well as finding only the seed casing left and the inside completely eaten. A few times I also found small white/brown worms actively at work eating the seed. I thought they may have been wireworms but wasn't totally sure. Now this year, I planted about 30 pea seeds and they are all gone. I completely enclosed my garden last year due to squirrels eating my tomatoes so I know it is not squirrels or birds as they have no way of getting in. Any ideas on what this could be?
Adams County Colorado
Expert Response
Jake,
Wow that sounds frustrating! If you have pictures of the seeds that might help. One insect I know that not many folks consider is the pill bug/roly poly. Gardens that have a lot of organic matter and/or mulch can have larger populations of them. I do also see earwigs eat very young seedlings. An easy earwig trap is a container with a thin layer of soy sauce, a little water, and enough clear oil to have a thin layer over the top (I use cat food tins as they are plentiful at my house!).
You could try germinating some of your seeds inside and transplanting when very small to see if that helps them get through the seed-only stage.
Happy to chat more, we also have Master Gardeners at the office today (Tuesday and Thursday 12-4) if you want to talk it through with them<personal data hidden>).
Wow that sounds frustrating! If you have pictures of the seeds that might help. One insect I know that not many folks consider is the pill bug/roly poly. Gardens that have a lot of organic matter and/or mulch can have larger populations of them. I do also see earwigs eat very young seedlings. An easy earwig trap is a container with a thin layer of soy sauce, a little water, and enough clear oil to have a thin layer over the top (I use cat food tins as they are plentiful at my house!).
You could try germinating some of your seeds inside and transplanting when very small to see if that helps them get through the seed-only stage.
Happy to chat more, we also have Master Gardeners at the office today (Tuesday and Thursday 12-4) if you want to talk it through with them<personal data hidden>).
