Pest identification
What's eating my nepeta 'six hills giant'?
Cats
Signs: Plants rolled on, sat on, and crushed — nepetalactone in the foliage is irresistible to cats; stems broken and crowns flattened
Control: Protect young plants with wire mesh cloches; place prickly prunings or rose stems around the crown; established clumps usually recover
Aphids
Signs: Soft insect colonies on new shoot tips and flower stems; honeydew and slight stem distortion
Control: Blast with water; insecticidal soap spray; natural predator populations usually keep numbers low on aromatic plants
Flea beetles
Signs: Tiny circular holes across leaf surfaces, giving a shothole appearance; worst on young foliage
Control: Encourage ground beetles as predators; insect-proof mesh over newly planted specimens; pyrethrin spray if severe
Keep nepeta 'six hills giant' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' pests — FAQ
What is eating my nepeta 'six hills giant'?
Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (catmint) is notably deer- and rabbit-resistant due to its aromatic oils, but cats are the main nuisance — they roll on and crush plants. Aphids colonize soft shoot tips, and flea beetles can pepper leaves with tiny holes. Slugs occasionally target new spring growth. Overall, one of the most pest-resistant border perennials.
How do I get rid of cats on nepeta 'six hills giant'?
Plants rolled on, sat on, and crushed — nepetalactone in the foliage is irresistible to cats; stems broken and crowns flattened Protect young plants with wire mesh cloches; place prickly prunings or rose stems around the crown; established clumps usually recover
How do I get rid of aphids on nepeta 'six hills giant'?
Soft insect colonies on new shoot tips and flower stems; honeydew and slight stem distortion Blast with water; insecticidal soap spray; natural predator populations usually keep numbers low on aromatic plants
How do I get rid of flea beetles on nepeta 'six hills giant'?
Tiny circular holes across leaf surfaces, giving a shothole appearance; worst on young foliage Encourage ground beetles as predators; insect-proof mesh over newly planted specimens; pyrethrin spray if severe