Pest identification
What's eating my old gold juniper?
Spider mites (Oligonychus / Tetranychus spp.)
Signs: Bronzing and stippling of foliage; fine webbing in branch axils during dry spells
Control: Water deeply in dry weather; apply horticultural oil or miticide; repeat at 7-day intervals
Juniper scale (Carulaspis juniperi)
Signs: White crusty deposits on stems; yellowing and twig dieback starting at shoot tips
Control: Apply horticultural oil in spring at crawler stage; prune out heavily infested stems
Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis)
Signs: Silken bags on branches; defoliation of affected shoot tips by late summer
Control: Hand-remove bags in autumn and winter; spray Bt or spinosad when larvae are young
Keep old gold juniper pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Old Gold Juniper pests — FAQ
What is eating my old gold juniper?
Old Gold Juniper is most commonly affected by spider mites, which bronze the golden-bronze scale foliage during summer heat. Juniper scale causes stem encrustation and twig dieback. Bagworms can defoliate branch tips. Deer browse the low spreading growth. Treat mites early with horticultural oil and ensure plants are well-watered in dry spells.
How do I get rid of spider mites (oligonychus / tetranychus spp.) on old gold juniper?
Bronzing and stippling of foliage; fine webbing in branch axils during dry spells Water deeply in dry weather; apply horticultural oil or miticide; repeat at 7-day intervals
How do I get rid of juniper scale (carulaspis juniperi) on old gold juniper?
White crusty deposits on stems; yellowing and twig dieback starting at shoot tips Apply horticultural oil in spring at crawler stage; prune out heavily infested stems
How do I get rid of bagworm (thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) on old gold juniper?
Silken bags on branches; defoliation of affected shoot tips by late summer Hand-remove bags in autumn and winter; spray Bt or spinosad when larvae are young