What's eating my paperwhite narcissus?

Paperwhites are highly toxic to most pests and animals, making them virtually deer- and rabbit-proof. Grown indoors as a forced bulb they can attract aphids and occasionally fungus gnats in wet compost. Outdoors in mild climates, narcissus bulb fly is the main threat. Bulb rot from overwatering is more common than pest damage.

Colonies cluster on soft flower stems and buds indoors, leaving sticky honeydew and sooty mold Wipe off with a damp cloth or cotton swab; isolate from other houseplants; apply insecticidal soap if infestation persists

Outdoors, larvae hollow out bulbs; plants produce grassy, non-flowering growth the following season Net during spring to prevent egg-laying; lift and inspect bulbs after foliage dies back; discard any soft bulbs

Larvae in over-wet compost chew roots of potted bulbs, causing wilting and poor growth indoors Allow compost surface to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps for adults; top-dress with horticultural sand