Pest identification
What's eating my narcissus 'february gold'?
Narcissus bulb fly (Merodon equestris)
Signs: Failure to emerge or only blind (leafy) growth with no flower; soft hollow bulb when dug.
Control: Firm down soil after die-back; net beds late spring; destroy affected bulbs immediately to stop spread.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Bite marks on the earliest emerging tips and spathes, especially after mild wet winters.
Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets before shoots emerge; use sharp grit mulch around planting sites.
Narcissus eelworm (Ditylenchus dipsaci)
Signs: Distorted, speckled foliage with yellow 'spickels'; stunted bulbs that feel firm but show brown rings when cut.
Control: Dig and destroy all infested plants; do not replant narcissus in the same spot for at least three years.
Keep narcissus 'february gold' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Narcissus 'February Gold' pests — FAQ
What is eating my narcissus 'february gold'?
Narcissus 'February Gold' is one of the earliest daffodils, blooming when pest pressure is low. Its toxic alkaloids deter deer, rabbits, and rodents. The main risks are narcissus bulb fly maggots destroying bulbs underground, slugs grazing the very earliest shoots, and aphids in mild winters or late-season weather.
How do I get rid of narcissus bulb fly (merodon equestris) on narcissus 'february gold'?
Failure to emerge or only blind (leafy) growth with no flower; soft hollow bulb when dug. Firm down soil after die-back; net beds late spring; destroy affected bulbs immediately to stop spread.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on narcissus 'february gold'?
Bite marks on the earliest emerging tips and spathes, especially after mild wet winters. Apply iron phosphate pellets before shoots emerge; use sharp grit mulch around planting sites.
How do I get rid of narcissus eelworm (ditylenchus dipsaci) on narcissus 'february gold'?
Distorted, speckled foliage with yellow 'spickels'; stunted bulbs that feel firm but show brown rings when cut. Dig and destroy all infested plants; do not replant narcissus in the same spot for at least three years.