Pest identification
What's eating my geranium pratense?
Sawfly larvae
Signs: Groups of small pale caterpillar-like larvae rapidly skeletonize leaves, leaving only a network of veins
Control: Hand-pick larvae immediately; spray with pyrethrum or spinosad if infestation is heavy; inspect leaf undersides regularly in summer
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on new shoot tips and buds causing sticky honeydew, distortion, and potential sooty mold
Control: Pinch off infested tips; apply insecticidal soap spray; encourage natural predators including ladybirds and hoverflies
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes in spring foliage; young plants and newly divided clumps are most at risk
Control: Ferric phosphate pellets; copper barrier tape; hand-pick at dusk
Rabbits
Signs: Stems and leaves cropped cleanly at ground level, most damaging on plants at the front of open borders
Control: Wire guards around individual plants; rabbit-proof perimeter fencing; repellent sprays as a short-term deterrent
Keep geranium pratense pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Geranium pratense pests — FAQ
What is eating my geranium pratense?
Geranium pratense (meadow cranesbill) grows in open sunny borders and meadow-style plantings. Sawfly larvae and caterpillars occasionally skeletonize the deeply lobed leaves. Aphids cluster on soft shoot tips in spring, and slugs target young growth. Deer and rabbits may browse plants at border edges.
How do I get rid of sawfly larvae on geranium pratense?
Groups of small pale caterpillar-like larvae rapidly skeletonize leaves, leaving only a network of veins Hand-pick larvae immediately; spray with pyrethrum or spinosad if infestation is heavy; inspect leaf undersides regularly in summer
How do I get rid of aphids on geranium pratense?
Dense colonies on new shoot tips and buds causing sticky honeydew, distortion, and potential sooty mold Pinch off infested tips; apply insecticidal soap spray; encourage natural predators including ladybirds and hoverflies
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on geranium pratense?
Ragged holes in spring foliage; young plants and newly divided clumps are most at risk Ferric phosphate pellets; copper barrier tape; hand-pick at dusk
How do I get rid of rabbits on geranium pratense?
Stems and leaves cropped cleanly at ground level, most damaging on plants at the front of open borders Wire guards around individual plants; rabbit-proof perimeter fencing; repellent sprays as a short-term deterrent