Pest identification
What's eating my antirrhinum majus 'rocket red'?
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on shoot tips and flower spikes; distorted growth and sticky honeydew.
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; knock off with water; encourage beneficial insects.
Caterpillars
Signs: Irregular holes chewed in leaves and flowers; larger caterpillars may devour whole shoots.
Control: Handpick caterpillars; apply Bt spray to foliage and flower spikes.
Rabbits
Signs: Clean, angled cuts on stems, particularly lower down; plants eaten back severely overnight.
Control: Protect young plants with wire mesh guards; fencing around beds; plant in raised containers.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Seedlings chewed at base; irregular holes in lower leaves with slime trails.
Control: Iron phosphate pellets around the base; gritty mulch; hand-pick at night.
Keep antirrhinum majus 'rocket red' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats snapdragon — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common antirrhinum majus 'rocket red' problems & fixes
- Antirrhinum majus 'Rocket Red' watering schedule
- Antirrhinum majus 'Rocket Red' light requirements
- Full antirrhinum majus 'rocket red' care guide
Antirrhinum majus 'Rocket Red' pests — FAQ
What is eating my antirrhinum majus 'rocket red'?
Tall snapdragons like 'Rocket Red' are most threatened by aphids massing on shoot tips and the snapdragon rust fungus — though aphids are the primary pest. Caterpillars chew leaves and flowers. Rabbits readily browse snapdragons in the garden, and slugs attack seedlings. Budworm can also target the tall flower spikes.
How do I get rid of aphids on antirrhinum majus 'rocket red'?
Dense colonies on shoot tips and flower spikes; distorted growth and sticky honeydew. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; knock off with water; encourage beneficial insects.
How do I get rid of caterpillars on antirrhinum majus 'rocket red'?
Irregular holes chewed in leaves and flowers; larger caterpillars may devour whole shoots. Handpick caterpillars; apply Bt spray to foliage and flower spikes.
How do I get rid of rabbits on antirrhinum majus 'rocket red'?
Clean, angled cuts on stems, particularly lower down; plants eaten back severely overnight. Protect young plants with wire mesh guards; fencing around beds; plant in raised containers.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on antirrhinum majus 'rocket red'?
Seedlings chewed at base; irregular holes in lower leaves with slime trails. Iron phosphate pellets around the base; gritty mulch; hand-pick at night.