Pest identification
What's eating my equisetum hyemale?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Gnawed and collapsed young shoots emerging in spring before the silica hardens
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets around the base in spring; use grit or bark mulch as a physical deterrent; hand-pick at night
Caterpillars
Signs: Chewed stem sections; older stems are rarely affected due to silica content
Control: Hand-pick larvae; apply Bt spray for persistent infestations on young growth
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew and distorted soft new growth in warm sheltered conditions
Control: Blast off with a water jet; insecticidal soap spray for heavier colonies; plant is rarely seriously damaged
Keep equisetum hyemale pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Equisetum hyemale pests — FAQ
What is eating my equisetum hyemale?
Rough horsetail is notably pest-resistant due to its high silica content, which deters most chewing insects. The main threats outdoors are slugs on young emerging shoots in spring and caterpillars that occasionally chew the hollow stems. Aphids may occasionally colonise soft new growth in warm, sheltered spots.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on equisetum hyemale?
Gnawed and collapsed young shoots emerging in spring before the silica hardens Apply iron phosphate pellets around the base in spring; use grit or bark mulch as a physical deterrent; hand-pick at night
How do I get rid of caterpillars on equisetum hyemale?
Chewed stem sections; older stems are rarely affected due to silica content Hand-pick larvae; apply Bt spray for persistent infestations on young growth
How do I get rid of aphids on equisetum hyemale?
Sticky honeydew and distorted soft new growth in warm sheltered conditions Blast off with a water jet; insecticidal soap spray for heavier colonies; plant is rarely seriously damaged