Pest identification
What's eating my dahlia 'labyrinth'?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes in low leaves; young tuber shoots consumed before emergence; soil-level stem scarring.
Control: Ferric phosphate pellets scattered at planting depth; copper tape on containers; nighttime patrols.
Earwigs
Signs: Petals and inner bud parts eaten; earwigs particularly attracted to the enclosed bloom shape.
Control: Upturned pots stuffed with straw set as traps beside plants; empty traps into soapy water each morning.
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on tender shoot tips; leaf curl; sticky residue and sooty mould.
Control: Insecticidal soap spray; hose knockdown; neem oil; preserve natural predators.
Capsid bugs
Signs: Tiny brown pinprick lesions on young leaves and buds expanding to tatty holes; distorted petals.
Control: Remove weedy host plants around beds; pyrethrin-based contact spray at first sign; monitor weekly.
Keep dahlia 'labyrinth' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Dahlia 'Labyrinth' pests — FAQ
What is eating my dahlia 'labyrinth'?
Dahlia 'Labyrinth', a waterlily-type dahlia with intricately cupped blooms, is susceptible to earwigs sheltering in the cupped petals, slugs on emerging growth, and aphids on shoot tips. Capsid bug damage can distort the distinctive bloom shape. Slugs remain the greatest early-season risk.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on dahlia 'labyrinth'?
Holes in low leaves; young tuber shoots consumed before emergence; soil-level stem scarring. Ferric phosphate pellets scattered at planting depth; copper tape on containers; nighttime patrols.
How do I get rid of earwigs on dahlia 'labyrinth'?
Petals and inner bud parts eaten; earwigs particularly attracted to the enclosed bloom shape. Upturned pots stuffed with straw set as traps beside plants; empty traps into soapy water each morning.
How do I get rid of aphids on dahlia 'labyrinth'?
Colonies on tender shoot tips; leaf curl; sticky residue and sooty mould. Insecticidal soap spray; hose knockdown; neem oil; preserve natural predators.
How do I get rid of capsid bugs on dahlia 'labyrinth'?
Tiny brown pinprick lesions on young leaves and buds expanding to tatty holes; distorted petals. Remove weedy host plants around beds; pyrethrin-based contact spray at first sign; monitor weekly.