Pest identification
What's eating my muhly grass?
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew residue; yellowing or curled shoot tips; small colonies of soft insects in spring and summer
Control: Knock off with a water jet; apply insecticidal soap; natural predators usually control populations without intervention
Mealybugs
Signs: White, waxy cottony masses at the base of stems and in the crown; stunted growth and yellowing
Control: Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab directly on colonies; treat with neem oil for broader coverage
Rabbits
Signs: Nibbled stems at ground level on young or recently planted specimens, mainly in spring
Control: Use wire mesh guards around new plantings; once clumps are large and established, rabbits lose interest
Keep muhly grass pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Muhly Grass pests — FAQ
What is eating my muhly grass?
Muhly Grass is an exceptionally pest-resistant ornamental native grass. Aphids occasionally appear on new growth and mealybugs can colonise plant bases in warm climates. Deer generally leave it alone. Rabbits may nibble young plants. Its strongest threats are root rots from poor drainage rather than insect pests.
How do I get rid of aphids on muhly grass?
Sticky honeydew residue; yellowing or curled shoot tips; small colonies of soft insects in spring and summer Knock off with a water jet; apply insecticidal soap; natural predators usually control populations without intervention
How do I get rid of mealybugs on muhly grass?
White, waxy cottony masses at the base of stems and in the crown; stunted growth and yellowing Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab directly on colonies; treat with neem oil for broader coverage
How do I get rid of rabbits on muhly grass?
Nibbled stems at ground level on young or recently planted specimens, mainly in spring Use wire mesh guards around new plantings; once clumps are large and established, rabbits lose interest