Pest identification
What's eating my dill?
Black swallowtail caterpillar
Signs: Large sections of foliage eaten rapidly; green-and-black striped caterpillars visible on stems
Control: Hand-pick and relocate (they become beneficial butterflies); plant extra dill as a sacrifice crop
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew, curled or yellowing leaves, clustered green or black insects on new growth
Control: Blast off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage ladybirds
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes in seedling leaves and stems, slime trails at soil level overnight
Control: Use copper tape around containers, apply iron phosphate slug pellets, or set beer traps
Keep dill pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Dill pests — FAQ
What is eating my dill?
Dill is most threatened by the black swallowtail caterpillar, which can strip foliage fast. Aphids cluster on tender growth, and tomato hornworms occasionally visit. Outdoors, slugs and snails damage seedlings at soil level. Hand-pick caterpillars and use insecticidal soap for aphids; copper tape deters slugs.
How do I get rid of black swallowtail caterpillar on dill?
Large sections of foliage eaten rapidly; green-and-black striped caterpillars visible on stems Hand-pick and relocate (they become beneficial butterflies); plant extra dill as a sacrifice crop
How do I get rid of aphids on dill?
Sticky honeydew, curled or yellowing leaves, clustered green or black insects on new growth Blast off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage ladybirds
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on dill?
Ragged holes in seedling leaves and stems, slime trails at soil level overnight Use copper tape around containers, apply iron phosphate slug pellets, or set beer traps