What is eating my pansy buds?

Question

Our pansies are planted in the back garden, with quite a bit of trees and bushes. The pansies' buds have be completely eaten, down to the quick. The stems are left alone though. There are many birds, squirrels and chipmunks, and I've seen slugs. I really want to know because none of them could bloom recently because they were all eaten!

(surprisingly, the ones planted in pots on the deck are completely okay)

Answer 1

My guess is rabbits or slugs/snails. Slug bait helps if it is those little pests. They do make spray on things that avert mammals by smelling bad.

Answer 2

Are your pansies planted in direct sun? Pansies generally prefer cool weather, and don't tolerate very hot sun well. In southern climates, they won't even bloom in late summer. Your deck plants may be doing well simply because they are under the deck and shaded from the summer sun. If the plants are truly being eaten, it is most likely due to a cutworm or some other type of insect. Try sprinkling a bit of Sevin dust to control insects.