What's eating my gerbera daisy?

Gerbera daisies are magnets for thrips, which distort petals and spread viruses, and for leafminers that tunnel through leaves. Aphids and spider mites are common in both garden beds and containers. Thrips are the most damaging pest — use blue sticky traps to monitor and act immediately to prevent virus spread.

Silvery streaks and distorted petals; brown-edged flowers; tiny dark specks (frass) on petals; can transmit Tomato spotted wilt virus Use blue sticky traps for monitoring; spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap; remove and destroy affected flowers; avoid overhead watering

Pale, winding tunnels visible through leaf surface; leaves look blistered and eventually die back Remove and destroy affected leaves; apply neem oil as a deterrent; use yellow sticky traps to catch adult flies

Clusters on flower stems and buds; sticky honeydew; distorted foliage near growing tips Blast off with water; spray with insecticidal soap; encourage aphid predators such as ladybirds and hoverflies

Yellow stippling on leaves, webbing on undersides, especially in hot dry weather or indoors Increase humidity; spray with neem oil or miticide; avoid dry, hot conditions that favor rapid mite reproduction