Pest identification
What's eating my compacta sage?
Rosemary beetle (Chrysolina americana)
Signs: Metallic green-and-purple striped beetles and their grey larvae strip foliage and soft shoot tips, especially from late summer through winter.
Control: Pick off adults and larvae by hand (drop into soapy water); in severe cases apply a pyrethrin-based spray in the evening to protect pollinators.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of green or blackish insects on soft new growth and shoot tips; sticky honeydew and distorted young leaves.
Control: Blast off with a strong water jet; encourage lacewings and ladybirds; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil if colonies persist.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Irregular ragged holes in young leaves and stems; silvery mucus trails visible in the morning, worst in cool wet conditions.
Control: Apply copper tape or grit around plant base; use ferric phosphate pellets (wildlife-safe); go out after dark with a torch and remove by hand.
Froghoppers (spittlebugs)
Signs: Frothy white 'cuckoo spit' masses on stems in late spring; nymphs inside suck sap causing minor distortion of shoot tips.
Control: Wipe or squirt off the froth with a hose; hand-pick nymphs; populations rarely reach damaging levels on established plants.
Keep compacta sage pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Compacta Sage pests — FAQ
What is eating my compacta sage?
Compacta Sage (Salvia officinalis 'Compacta') is mainly attacked by slugs and snails on young shoots, aphids on soft new growth, and rosemary beetle, which shares sage with its namesake host. Froghoppers can cause spittle-mass distortion. Deer and rabbits will browse sage if hungry. Strong aromatic oils provide natural deterrence against many pests.
How do I get rid of rosemary beetle (chrysolina americana) on compacta sage?
Metallic green-and-purple striped beetles and their grey larvae strip foliage and soft shoot tips, especially from late summer through winter. Pick off adults and larvae by hand (drop into soapy water); in severe cases apply a pyrethrin-based spray in the evening to protect pollinators.
How do I get rid of aphids on compacta sage?
Clusters of green or blackish insects on soft new growth and shoot tips; sticky honeydew and distorted young leaves. Blast off with a strong water jet; encourage lacewings and ladybirds; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil if colonies persist.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on compacta sage?
Irregular ragged holes in young leaves and stems; silvery mucus trails visible in the morning, worst in cool wet conditions. Apply copper tape or grit around plant base; use ferric phosphate pellets (wildlife-safe); go out after dark with a torch and remove by hand.
How do I get rid of froghoppers (spittlebugs) on compacta sage?
Frothy white 'cuckoo spit' masses on stems in late spring; nymphs inside suck sap causing minor distortion of shoot tips. Wipe or squirt off the froth with a hose; hand-pick nymphs; populations rarely reach damaging levels on established plants.