Pest identification
What's eating my chives?
Aphids
Signs: Distorted, sticky new growth; colonies of small insects visible on leaf tips and flower stalks
Control: Knock off with a water spray; apply insecticidal soap; introduce or encourage aphid predators such as lacewings
Thrips
Signs: Silver-streaked, papery patches on leaves; tiny dark insects visible when foliage is shaken
Control: Remove heavily infested leaves; apply neem oil or spinosad-based spray; avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen
Onion fly (Delia antiqua)
Signs: Yellowing, wilting plants; white maggots tunnelling into bulb bases at soil level
Control: Cover rows with fine insect mesh in spring; rotate alliums yearly; destroy affected bulbs promptly
Keep chives pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Chives pests — FAQ
What is eating my chives?
Chives are relatively pest-resistant thanks to their sulfur compounds, but aphids and thrips occasionally attack soft leaf tips. In gardens, onion fly maggots can damage bulb bases in spring. Overall one of the easiest herbs to grow with minimal intervention needed.
How do I get rid of aphids on chives?
Distorted, sticky new growth; colonies of small insects visible on leaf tips and flower stalks Knock off with a water spray; apply insecticidal soap; introduce or encourage aphid predators such as lacewings
How do I get rid of thrips on chives?
Silver-streaked, papery patches on leaves; tiny dark insects visible when foliage is shaken Remove heavily infested leaves; apply neem oil or spinosad-based spray; avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen
How do I get rid of onion fly (delia antiqua) on chives?
Yellowing, wilting plants; white maggots tunnelling into bulb bases at soil level Cover rows with fine insect mesh in spring; rotate alliums yearly; destroy affected bulbs promptly