Question: Something is eating circles and half circles out of the leaves on my roses, but I never see anything doing it. What is the cause and how do I stop it?

Answer: Leaf cutter bees cut semi-circle shaped holes in the leaves of roses and many other plants. They often go unnoticed because they are small and most of the plants they cut up are not closely watched. They do not really harm the plant, unless there are lots of leaves being cut up. Nothing needs to be done, partly because the damage is minor and because the bees are actually beneficial. They used the leaf to plug a hole where they have laid an egg. They also have placed a caterpillar there for the newly hatched bee larva to feed on. It is great to have these bees in a garden so they can remove caterpillars.

Question: We have a new water garden and the fish are having problems. We tested the water and found out that the nitrites are too high. We have been doing water changes with city water, but to no avail. What are we doing wrong?

Answer: Nitrites are very toxic to fish. They are formed when bacteria break down the ammonia that is released by the fish when they breathe. The ammonia is also toxic, and we want the bacteria to consume it. Other bacteria will consume the nitrites and release nitrates, which are much less toxic to the fish and are used by plants. Until this natural cycle is developed, the ammonia or nitrites can kill the fish.

You may also have nitrites in your water supply. When you change out the bad water in the pond, you may be adding nitrites right back in again if the well water or municipal water is high in nitrites.

My local city water supply company uses at least 10 wells to get the water for the town. Some of the wells have high levels of nitrite. They are well below the state EPA recommended level for people, but way higher than what the fish will tolerate. Depending on which wells are being used and to what extent, on the day I add water to the pond, my water can have no nitrites, just a little bit or a whole lot.

Doing a water test today, but adding water to the pond tomorrow, will not tell me if the water is toxic when it is added to the pond. You will need to test your water when you add it. Everyone who adds water to a pond or aquarium should know what the local water supply company says should be in the water and what the possible ranges could be, so they can be prepared. Then test the water before you drain the water for a change or addition.

Question: We have been offered a large piece of rubber pond liner. It would be free, because it is being used in a display that is being removed. There is a possibility that it leaks and it could leak more when it is removed from the display. Is there an easy method to determining where the leak is, before we install it in a pond in our yard?

Answer: Yes, I can think of an easy method to check for a leak. Find a smooth, flat and level location slightly wider and longer than the liner. This could be a driveway or tennis court, depending on the size of the liner. Check to make sure there are no sharp objects on the surface. Unroll the liner and spread it flat. Use boards or blocks or whatever it takes to lift the entire edge up just a few inches and to hold the liner up, so it can hold water a few inches deep.

Fill the "pond," and let the water sit for ten minutes to an hour. Drain all the water out and beginning at one end, start rolling the liner up. Look for any water spots on the surface under the liner. As soon as any water is found, begin looking at the liner. The water on the surface will probably be in a circular pattern centered on the leak. Even if it is hard to see any kind of hole, that is a spot that needs a patch. Circle it with a marker and continue rolling the liner up. When the whole liner has been checked, go back and patch the holes.

Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@greenerview.com. To find out more about Jeff Rugg and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.