What is getting in my garden??

I need some help.

I have something getting into my garden and snipping plants. I go out and my plants look cut usually near the base.

I say snipping because the top of the plant is not eaten it is just lying on the ground.

I've had 2 pepper plants, several basil and many onion tops that have been snipped. I have no idea what pest would come and cut these plants and not eat the tops.

I do have squirrels rabbits and deer that could be in the area, not sure if any of these would be the culprit (the not eating the plant part is throwing me off).

Thanks!!

My prime suspect would be cutworms.
Here is a Michigan State University extension service publication on cutworms and non-chemical treatment of the problem: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/cutworms_in_the_vegetable_garden

That sounds like cut worms to me.

vote 3 for cutworms

Hi Hannah,
Fourth vote :), I have only run into cut worms once, thankfully, but it was what you describe. The plant was snipped off and the top was just laying there.

they’re chubby little caterpillars if you go looking for them.

Wow thank you so much for the article share Mercy Pergande!

I did see some of these cutworms in the garden soil while I was doing some weeding.

Thank you everyone for helping me solve this mystery!!!

Hannah