Pest identification
What's eating my gold coast juniper?
Spider mites (Oligonychus / Tetranychus spp.)
Signs: Bronze or straw-coloured foliage on inner branches; webbing in hot dry periods
Control: Apply horticultural oil or miticide spray; water deeply during drought; repeat treatment after 7 days
Juniper scale (Carulaspis juniperi)
Signs: White waxy scale on stems; yellowing and progressive twig dieback
Control: Horticultural oil in early spring; remove and dispose of infested stems by pruning
Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis)
Signs: Hanging silk bags on branches; shoot tip defoliation in late summer
Control: Hand-pick bags in autumn/winter; apply Bt when larvae hatch in late spring
Deer
Signs: Browsing of golden foliage and tips of low-spreading branches
Control: Install deer fencing; use deer repellent spray reapplied after rain
Keep gold coast juniper pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Gold Coast Juniper pests — FAQ
What is eating my gold coast juniper?
Gold Coast Juniper, a spreading Chinese juniper, is most threatened by spider mites in dry summer conditions, causing bronze-brown foliage. Juniper scale insects colonise stems causing twig dieback. Bagworms attach to branches. Deer browse the low-spreading growth readily. Monitor in summer and treat early with horticultural oil to prevent establishment.
How do I get rid of spider mites (oligonychus / tetranychus spp.) on gold coast juniper?
Bronze or straw-coloured foliage on inner branches; webbing in hot dry periods Apply horticultural oil or miticide spray; water deeply during drought; repeat treatment after 7 days
How do I get rid of juniper scale (carulaspis juniperi) on gold coast juniper?
White waxy scale on stems; yellowing and progressive twig dieback Horticultural oil in early spring; remove and dispose of infested stems by pruning
How do I get rid of bagworm (thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) on gold coast juniper?
Hanging silk bags on branches; shoot tip defoliation in late summer Hand-pick bags in autumn/winter; apply Bt when larvae hatch in late spring
How do I get rid of deer on gold coast juniper?
Browsing of golden foliage and tips of low-spreading branches Install deer fencing; use deer repellent spray reapplied after rain