My runner bean plants were half way up the sticks when I looked one day, doing really well. The next day they were nothing but little stumps - all the leaves and most of the stems had been stripped away. Does anybody know what might have caused this to happen and how to avoid the problem in future?

Sounds like some deer or rabbits had a meal, I doubt that any insects could do that much damage. Fencing.

I had a problem with woodchucks (groundhogs) last year. A single varmit took care of half of my 30 foot row of bush beans in a few hours. I took care of him with a slug from my .22 rifle. All I have planted this year is peppers and tomatoes, and I don't think they like the taste of either, so I'm safe so far.

Sorry if this gets posted twice - I was in the middle of it when it disappeared.

Where I live, there isn't a rabbit within miles and woodchucks would have to be on holiday. We get hedgehogs, cats, foxes and birds in the garden, but I can't see any of them doing the damage. Any other ideas?