What's eating my english thyme?

English thyme's aromatic oils repel many pests, but aphids cluster on new spring growth and spittlebugs coat stems in frothy white blobs in early summer. Spider mites can colonise plants stressed by drought. Slugs occasionally target seedlings. Deer and rabbits nearly always avoid thyme due to its strong scent.

Masses of white froth on stems in late spring and early summer; nymphs hidden inside feed on plant sap, causing distorted or weakened shoots Knock froth and nymphs off with a jet of water; remove by hand where infestations are heavy; healthy well-drained plants recover quickly without pesticide

Colonies of small soft insects on tender shoot tips in spring; sticky honeydew residue and curled leaves Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects such as lacewings and parasitic wasps by planting companion flowers nearby

Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaves, typically appearing during prolonged dry hot spells Water plants adequately during drought; spray undersides of leaves with neem oil or diluted insecticidal soap; improve air circulation around plants