Pest identification
What's eating my loose-leaf lettuce?
Aphids
Signs: Curled, distorted leaves with sticky honeydew residue; colonies visible on leaf undersides
Control: Blast off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage ladybirds and lacewings
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes in leaves, often overnight; silvery slime trails on foliage and soil
Control: Use iron phosphate slug pellets (wildlife-safe); remove debris and boards where they hide; go out at night to hand-pick
Cabbage looper / caterpillars
Signs: Large irregular holes chewed through leaf blades; frass (droppings) on leaves
Control: Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; cover with fine mesh netting
Rabbits
Signs: Whole outer leaves or entire young plants cleanly clipped off at ground level
Control: Install 60 cm (2 ft) wire-mesh fencing buried 10 cm into the soil around the bed
Keep loose-leaf lettuce pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Loose-leaf Lettuce pests — FAQ
What is eating my loose-leaf lettuce?
Loose-leaf lettuce is targeted by aphids, slugs and snails, caterpillars, and rabbits. Its tender, open leaves are especially vulnerable. Aphids are the most frequent culprit, clustering under leaves and stunting new growth. Row cover at planting, regular scouting, and prompt organic controls keep crops harvestable.
How do I get rid of aphids on loose-leaf lettuce?
Curled, distorted leaves with sticky honeydew residue; colonies visible on leaf undersides Blast off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage ladybirds and lacewings
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on loose-leaf lettuce?
Ragged holes in leaves, often overnight; silvery slime trails on foliage and soil Use iron phosphate slug pellets (wildlife-safe); remove debris and boards where they hide; go out at night to hand-pick
How do I get rid of cabbage looper / caterpillars on loose-leaf lettuce?
Large irregular holes chewed through leaf blades; frass (droppings) on leaves Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; cover with fine mesh netting
How do I get rid of rabbits on loose-leaf lettuce?
Whole outer leaves or entire young plants cleanly clipped off at ground level Install 60 cm (2 ft) wire-mesh fencing buried 10 cm into the soil around the bed