What is eating the leaves on my butterfly bush?
Types of Insects Some of the insects that affect butterfly bushes include aphids, mites and Japanese beetles. All three types of pests feed on the leaves, stems or flowers of the plant, causing it to become weak and lose nutrients.
Why are there holes in the leaves of my butterfly bush?
Holes Chewed In Leaves May Mean Caterpillars While butterfly bushes are valued for their ability to attract butterflies into the yard, there is one butterfly that, in its caterpillar form, is a pest of this shrub.
What do you spray butterfly bushes with?
Butterfly Bush – spider mite control
- Wash them off. Spray plants forcefully with a water hose daily, trying to aim the spray at the undersides of leaves.
- “Organic” control. Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
- Miticides. The following homeowner products are labeled for mite control:
How do I get rid of aphids on my butterfly bush?
Soapy water may dislodge and kill more aphids, but it also is more damaging to the monarchs and can build up on the plant. Though tedious, dabbing aphids with cotton swabs dipped in isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol is most effective. That kills them outright.
How do I get rid of spider mites on my butterfly bush?
Pay special attention to the undersides of the leaves, where spider mites like to hide. Follow up spray blasts by thoroughly coating the leaves with a premixed insecticidal soap. Or you can choose to smother the little beasties with horticultural oil should the notion strike you.
What caterpillar eats butterfly bush?
The caterpillar of the checkerspot butterfly and the Genista caterpillar are documented insect pests of this particular shrub. Checkerspot butterfly caterpillars are large, hairy, bluish-black in color and have small orange spots. They do their damage by chewing holes in the plant leaves.
Do slugs eat butterfly bush?
Each spring, a butterfly bush should be cut back 8 to 12 inches from the ground before new growth starts so the plant stays lush with foliage. If your healthy plant is chewed to pieces overnight, you can bet the damage was done by slugs or snails. These sneaky little crawlers feed on anything at night.
Will animals eat butterfly bush?
Rabbits and Woodchucks. Like deer, rabbits and woodchucks eat vegetation and are not particularly fond of butterfly bush. Even though it is a plant that is listed as being rabbit resistant, it will be consumed if conditions warrant.
Do squirrels eat butterfly bushes?
Choose the right plants. Plants that have silver leaves look less like food so use of Artemesia, Butterfly Bush, Dianthus, and others is encouraged. Other shrubs that repel rabbits and squirrels include Cotoneaster, Penstemon, and Lavender.
How do you save a butterfly bush?
How to Revive a Butterfly Bush
- Try the scratch test.
- Try gently twisting a stem around your finger – if it snaps off, it’s probably dead, but if it bends, it’s probably alive.
- If it’s late in the spring and you discover dead growth on your butterfly bush, prune it away.
Should I deadhead butterfly bush?
Caring for Butterfly Bushes Remove spent flower spikes to encourage new shoots and flower buds. In addition, it is important to deadhead the flowers just as they start to wither so that this invasive plant doesn’t spread volunteer seeds. The bush should bloom abundantly even in its first year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd0Zp-GeEnc