Pest identification
What's eating my persicaria amplexicaulis 'firetail'?
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on fresh stem tips and undersides of leaves; honeydew and sooty mould on nearby foliage.
Control: Knock off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil for persistent colonies.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Gnawed or missing emerging shoots in spring; slime trails around crown.
Control: Apply ferric phosphate pellets around crowns in early spring; use grit mulch to deter access.
Japanese beetle (US)
Signs: Skeletonised leaves with only veins remaining; adults feed in groups in midsummer.
Control: Hand-pick and drop into soapy water in the morning; apply pyrethrin spray for heavy pressure; avoid Japanese beetle pheromone traps near the planting.
Keep persicaria amplexicaulis 'firetail' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Firetail' pests — FAQ
What is eating my persicaria amplexicaulis 'firetail'?
Persicaria 'Firetail' is a vigorous, largely trouble-free perennial but aphids can colonise lush new stems and slugs eat emerging crowns in spring. Japanese beetles (US) occasionally skeletonise leaves in midsummer. Rabbits rarely bother it, and the dense clump habit makes it fairly self-defending.
How do I get rid of aphids on persicaria amplexicaulis 'firetail'?
Colonies on fresh stem tips and undersides of leaves; honeydew and sooty mould on nearby foliage. Knock off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil for persistent colonies.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on persicaria amplexicaulis 'firetail'?
Gnawed or missing emerging shoots in spring; slime trails around crown. Apply ferric phosphate pellets around crowns in early spring; use grit mulch to deter access.
How do I get rid of japanese beetle (us) on persicaria amplexicaulis 'firetail'?
Skeletonised leaves with only veins remaining; adults feed in groups in midsummer. Hand-pick and drop into soapy water in the morning; apply pyrethrin spray for heavy pressure; avoid Japanese beetle pheromone traps near the planting.