I recently heard my parents talking about a problem with our bougainvilla and treating it with a product named Bug Be Gone. I asked if they could wait so that I could further research it on the internet.
From researching, I have learned a good deal about bougainvilleas, including over watering. Though I would hope not to influence your diagnosis, I do suspect that the issue has to do with a lack of dryness. So that you know, I consider myself novice at gardening.
Below are two photos of the same bougainvillea. Listed below are some information points to help aid diagnosis.
Information
- We live San Diego.
- Bougainvillea is in a pot.
- Bougainvillea was healthy before moving it to a lesser sunnier location (I'm hitting myself in the head while I write this).
- Bougainvillea is watered 2-3 times a week (I hope someone comments on this).
Perhaps the solution is obvious, however it would be confirming to hear from those who know. On the other hand, from looking at the photos, does someone think it could it be a bug problem?
Thank you greatly.
[url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/29903025@N06/6278216197/][img]https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/6278216197_b9992b9a69_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/29903025@N06/6278216197/]IMG_1769[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/people/29903025@N06/]breckjensen[/url], on Flickr
[url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/29903025@N06/6278216197/][img]https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/6278216197_b9992b9a69_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/29903025@N06/6278216197/]IMG_1769[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/people/29903025@N06/]breckjensen[/url], on Flickr
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rainbowgardener
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- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
Yup. Sounds like you want someone to tell you this is an over watering issue, but over-watering would not give you all those chewed up edges. Bugs or possibly slugs or snails, but they would be more likely to leave holes in the middle of leaves, not the edges.
But the Bug b Gone is permethrin, a neuro toxin:
Permethrin toxicity data show that the compound is highly toxic to honeybees, as well as other beneficial insects.
Permethrin is highly toxic to both freshwater and estuarine aquatic organisms. Most agricultural, public health, and down-the-drain scenarios modeled resulted in exceedances in the acute risk quotient (RQ) for freshwater and estuarine fish, invertebrates, and sediment organisms. The agricultural and public health scenarios also showed the potential for chronic risks to estuarine and/or freshwater organisms. Further, there is a potential concern for direct effects to a variety of aquatic organisms.
https://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/permethrin_fs.htm
There are much less environmentally damaging ways to deal with your insect problem. It would help if you could observe closely, checking undersides of leaves and see if you can spot what is doing the chewing. Targeted methods are best.
Ecologically sound methods of dealing with insect pests include Neem oil and garlic-pepper spray, also Thuricide/Dipel/ Bt if the pest is a caterpillar/ worm type thing.
Or you could just ignore it for awhile. The amount of damage you have right now is only cosmetic, it won't harm the plant. If it seems like it is getting worse and worse, then you would have to do something.
But the Bug b Gone is permethrin, a neuro toxin:
Permethrin toxicity data show that the compound is highly toxic to honeybees, as well as other beneficial insects.
Permethrin is highly toxic to both freshwater and estuarine aquatic organisms. Most agricultural, public health, and down-the-drain scenarios modeled resulted in exceedances in the acute risk quotient (RQ) for freshwater and estuarine fish, invertebrates, and sediment organisms. The agricultural and public health scenarios also showed the potential for chronic risks to estuarine and/or freshwater organisms. Further, there is a potential concern for direct effects to a variety of aquatic organisms.
https://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/permethrin_fs.htm
There are much less environmentally damaging ways to deal with your insect problem. It would help if you could observe closely, checking undersides of leaves and see if you can spot what is doing the chewing. Targeted methods are best.
Ecologically sound methods of dealing with insect pests include Neem oil and garlic-pepper spray, also Thuricide/Dipel/ Bt if the pest is a caterpillar/ worm type thing.
Or you could just ignore it for awhile. The amount of damage you have right now is only cosmetic, it won't harm the plant. If it seems like it is getting worse and worse, then you would have to do something.
I agree with rainbow. IMO, though, while it could be snail and slug damage, it looks much more like caterpillar damage. To find the critters, you'll probably have to take a flashlight and examine the plants after dark. Be careful to look at both sides of the leaves and along the stems. Caterpillars and other pests are often more active at night, because they're safe then from hungry birds. 
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rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
Yeah, I said I didn't really think slugs or snails. If Kisal is right about the caterpillars (she usually is right! 
) check them out carefully and try to ID them. You wouldn't want to be killing off next year's monarch butterflies or something.
If you do decide to kill them, try the Bt (bacillus thuringiensis, sold as Dipel or Thuricide). It isn't a repellant, it is a bacterium that infects and kills a variety of insect larvae, but nothing else. So it is harmless to all other animals including honeybees, whose larvae stay in the hive and wouldn't contact it.
) check them out carefully and try to ID them. You wouldn't want to be killing off next year's monarch butterflies or something.If you do decide to kill them, try the Bt (bacillus thuringiensis, sold as Dipel or Thuricide). It isn't a repellant, it is a bacterium that infects and kills a variety of insect larvae, but nothing else. So it is harmless to all other animals including honeybees, whose larvae stay in the hive and wouldn't contact it.