Pest identification
What's eating my clethra alnifolia 'hummingbird'?
Japanese beetles
Signs: Leaves reduced to a skeletal framework of veins in July–August.
Control: Hand-pick adults into soapy water each morning; neem oil or spinosad spray for heavy pressure. Avoid pheromone traps near the plant.
Spider mites
Signs: Leaves look dusty, stippled or bronzed; fine webbing under leaves during dry hot summers.
Control: Increase watering frequency; spray leaf undersides with water or apply horticultural oil. Avoid applying during the heat of the day.
Keep clethra alnifolia 'hummingbird' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats clethra alnifolia — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common clethra alnifolia 'hummingbird' problems & fixes
- Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' watering schedule
- Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' light requirements
- Full clethra alnifolia 'hummingbird' care guide
Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' pests — FAQ
What is eating my clethra alnifolia 'hummingbird'?
Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' shares the species' good pest tolerance. Japanese beetles are the most notable summer pest in the eastern US, skeletonizing leaves. Spider mites can appear during hot dry spells. Consistent moisture reduces stress-related pest susceptibility. No pest is reliably severe enough to require preventive chemical treatment on this compact cultivar.
How do I get rid of japanese beetles on clethra alnifolia 'hummingbird'?
Leaves reduced to a skeletal framework of veins in July–August. Hand-pick adults into soapy water each morning; neem oil or spinosad spray for heavy pressure. Avoid pheromone traps near the plant.
How do I get rid of spider mites on clethra alnifolia 'hummingbird'?
Leaves look dusty, stippled or bronzed; fine webbing under leaves during dry hot summers. Increase watering frequency; spray leaf undersides with water or apply horticultural oil. Avoid applying during the heat of the day.