Pest identification
What's eating my raceme catmint?
Cats (rolling damage)
Signs: Cats roll, rub, and flatten clumps when attracted by nepetalactone; repeated visits can crush stems and compact soil, stunting growth.
Control: Protect young or divided plants with wire mesh or short bamboo cane cages until established; larger plants usually recover quickly.
Aphids
Signs: Occasional colonies on new shoot tips and flower stems; distorted growth and sticky deposits, though infestations are usually minor.
Control: Spray off with water; allow natural predators to establish; use insecticidal soap only if the infestation is severe.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Young seedlings and freshly divided plants can be nibbled at the base in spring before the aromatic foliage fully develops.
Control: Apply ferric phosphate pellets around newly planted or divided specimens in spring; handpick at dusk near seedlings.
Keep raceme catmint pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Raceme catmint pests — FAQ
What is eating my raceme catmint?
Raceme catmint's aromatic nepetalactone oils naturally deter most insect pests, making it one of the lowest-maintenance perennials in the garden. The main threat comes from cats, which roll and flatten plants when attracted by the scent. Aphids occasionally colonise new growth, and slugs may nibble seedlings. Established plants are rarely seriously damaged.
How do I get rid of cats (rolling damage) on raceme catmint?
Cats roll, rub, and flatten clumps when attracted by nepetalactone; repeated visits can crush stems and compact soil, stunting growth. Protect young or divided plants with wire mesh or short bamboo cane cages until established; larger plants usually recover quickly.
How do I get rid of aphids on raceme catmint?
Occasional colonies on new shoot tips and flower stems; distorted growth and sticky deposits, though infestations are usually minor. Spray off with water; allow natural predators to establish; use insecticidal soap only if the infestation is severe.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on raceme catmint?
Young seedlings and freshly divided plants can be nibbled at the base in spring before the aromatic foliage fully develops. Apply ferric phosphate pellets around newly planted or divided specimens in spring; handpick at dusk near seedlings.