Pest identification
What's eating my celery?
Celery leaf miner / celery fly (Euleia heraclei)
Signs: Pale brown blistered mines in leaves that shrivel and die; stalks may be stunted
Control: Cover with fine insect-proof mesh at planting; remove and destroy mined leaves; avoid planting near parsnips and parsley
Aphids (black bean aphid, Aphis fabae; celery aphid, Cavariella aegopodii)
Signs: Dense colonies on leaf backs and in leaf axils; honeydew and sooty mold; distorted, yellowing leaves
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage hoverflies with companion flowers; use reflective mulch
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes chewed in young leaves and stems near soil level; slime trails visible
Control: Use iron phosphate pellets; place copper tape around container edges; remove mulch near crowns; hand-pick at night
Carrot fly (Psila rosae)
Signs: Reddish-tinged foliage that wilts; creamy white maggots tunnel the roots and crown
Control: Cover crop with fleece or insect-proof mesh; grow behind 60cm solid barrier to intercept low-flying females
Keep celery pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats celery — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What eats celery — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common celery problems & fixes
- Celery watering schedule
- Celery light requirements
- Full celery care guide
Celery pests — FAQ
What is eating my celery?
Celery is attacked by celery leaf miner, aphids, and slugs, with the leaf miner being the most damaging UK and US pest. Carrot fly larvae can destroy roots in the ground. Earwigs and caterpillars shred foliage. In gardens where deer or rabbits are present, young transplants need protection.
How do I get rid of celery leaf miner / celery fly (euleia heraclei) on celery?
Pale brown blistered mines in leaves that shrivel and die; stalks may be stunted Cover with fine insect-proof mesh at planting; remove and destroy mined leaves; avoid planting near parsnips and parsley
How do I get rid of aphids (black bean aphid, aphis fabae; celery aphid, cavariella aegopodii) on celery?
Dense colonies on leaf backs and in leaf axils; honeydew and sooty mold; distorted, yellowing leaves Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage hoverflies with companion flowers; use reflective mulch
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on celery?
Holes chewed in young leaves and stems near soil level; slime trails visible Use iron phosphate pellets; place copper tape around container edges; remove mulch near crowns; hand-pick at night
How do I get rid of carrot fly (psila rosae) on celery?
Reddish-tinged foliage that wilts; creamy white maggots tunnel the roots and crown Cover crop with fleece or insect-proof mesh; grow behind 60cm solid barrier to intercept low-flying females