Pest identification
What's eating my rattlesnake pole bean?
Mexican Bean Beetle
Signs: Skeletonized leaves with only veins remaining; yellow egg masses and copper-coloured spiny larvae on leaf undersides.
Control: Remove egg clusters by hand; row covers early in season; neem oil or pyrethrin spray targeting leaf undersides.
Japanese Beetle
Signs: Skeletonized foliage from the top down; metallic green-bronze beetles feeding in groups, particularly in warm sunny weather.
Control: Hand-pick into soapy water in early morning; apply kaolin clay; avoid Japanese beetle traps near the garden.
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on tender growing tips cause curling and stickiness; slows pod development.
Control: Blast off with water; insecticidal soap; attract lacewings and ladybirds with companion flowers.
Deer & Rabbits
Signs: Browsing on young shoots and pods; deer can strip an entire climbing plant; rabbits cut stems near the base.
Control: Deer fencing at 1.8 m (6 ft); chicken-wire barrier for rabbits buried 10 cm deep; repellent sprays on young growth.
Keep rattlesnake pole bean pest-free
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Rattlesnake Pole Bean pests — FAQ
What is eating my rattlesnake pole bean?
Rattlesnake Pole Bean is a vigorous climbing variety of Phaseolus vulgaris. Mexican bean beetles and aphids are the primary insect threats, while rabbits and deer browse young plants heavily. Japanese beetles can skeletonize foliage in the US. Tall trellis plantings are somewhat less accessible to ground pests but still need regular scouting.
How do I get rid of mexican bean beetle on rattlesnake pole bean?
Skeletonized leaves with only veins remaining; yellow egg masses and copper-coloured spiny larvae on leaf undersides. Remove egg clusters by hand; row covers early in season; neem oil or pyrethrin spray targeting leaf undersides.
How do I get rid of japanese beetle on rattlesnake pole bean?
Skeletonized foliage from the top down; metallic green-bronze beetles feeding in groups, particularly in warm sunny weather. Hand-pick into soapy water in early morning; apply kaolin clay; avoid Japanese beetle traps near the garden.
How do I get rid of aphids on rattlesnake pole bean?
Colonies on tender growing tips cause curling and stickiness; slows pod development. Blast off with water; insecticidal soap; attract lacewings and ladybirds with companion flowers.
How do I get rid of deer & rabbits on rattlesnake pole bean?
Browsing on young shoots and pods; deer can strip an entire climbing plant; rabbits cut stems near the base. Deer fencing at 1.8 m (6 ft); chicken-wire barrier for rabbits buried 10 cm deep; repellent sprays on young growth.