Pest identification
What's eating my prairie fire switch grass?
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew on lower stems and blades; colonies cause mild wilting and attract sooty mould
Control: Dislodge with a water jet; apply insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps
Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)
Signs: Rapid, large-scale defoliation overnight in late summer; chewed stems and green frass at crown
Control: Apply Bt or spinosad at early larval stage; treat at dusk; repeat after heavy rain
Grasshoppers
Signs: Ragged blade edges during hot, dry spells; damage is cosmetic on established clumps
Control: Tolerate light damage; neem oil spray as a deterrent during mass grasshopper years
Keep prairie fire switch grass pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Prairie Fire Switch Grass pests — FAQ
What is eating my prairie fire switch grass?
Prairie Fire Switch Grass is deer resistant and generally trouble-free. Aphids are the most commonly reported pest, feeding on stems in early summer. Fall armyworms can strip foliage during late-summer outbreaks in the southern US. Grasshoppers graze opportunistically in dry periods. Established plants tolerate moderate damage without lasting harm.
How do I get rid of aphids on prairie fire switch grass?
Sticky honeydew on lower stems and blades; colonies cause mild wilting and attract sooty mould Dislodge with a water jet; apply insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps
How do I get rid of fall armyworm (spodoptera frugiperda) on prairie fire switch grass?
Rapid, large-scale defoliation overnight in late summer; chewed stems and green frass at crown Apply Bt or spinosad at early larval stage; treat at dusk; repeat after heavy rain
How do I get rid of grasshoppers on prairie fire switch grass?
Ragged blade edges during hot, dry spells; damage is cosmetic on established clumps Tolerate light damage; neem oil spray as a deterrent during mass grasshopper years