Pest identification
What's eating my lonicera sempervirens?
Aphids
Signs: Soft colonies on new shoot tips; less severe leaf-curl than on L. japonica or L. periclymenum but honeydew and sooty mould develop.
Control: Spray with strong water stream or insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds and lacewings; avoid excessive nitrogen which promotes lush aphid-attractive growth.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and bronzing of leaves, fine webbing on undersides; worst in hot dry summers or against a south-facing wall.
Control: Keep plant well-watered in dry spells; mist foliage; apply neem oil or miticide spray; repeat every 5–7 days for three cycles.
Deer
Signs: Browsing of leafy stems and flower clusters; ragged torn foliage; more pronounced where deer pressure is high.
Control: Use deer-repellent spray (reapply after rain); install wire caging around young plants; mature vines usually recover from light browsing.
Keep lonicera sempervirens pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Lonicera sempervirens pests — FAQ
What is eating my lonicera sempervirens?
Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is notably less aphid-prone than European species but is still visited by aphids and caterpillars. Hummingbirds are attracted pollinators, not pests. In US gardens, deer browse the foliage and rabbits gnaw young stems. Spider mites can flare in hot dry summers. Overall, it is a robust and relatively pest-resistant vine.
How do I get rid of aphids on lonicera sempervirens?
Soft colonies on new shoot tips; less severe leaf-curl than on L. japonica or L. periclymenum but honeydew and sooty mould develop. Spray with strong water stream or insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds and lacewings; avoid excessive nitrogen which promotes lush aphid-attractive growth.
How do I get rid of spider mites on lonicera sempervirens?
Pale stippling and bronzing of leaves, fine webbing on undersides; worst in hot dry summers or against a south-facing wall. Keep plant well-watered in dry spells; mist foliage; apply neem oil or miticide spray; repeat every 5–7 days for three cycles.
How do I get rid of deer on lonicera sempervirens?
Browsing of leafy stems and flower clusters; ragged torn foliage; more pronounced where deer pressure is high. Use deer-repellent spray (reapply after rain); install wire caging around young plants; mature vines usually recover from light browsing.