Pest identification
What's eating my reed sweet-grass?
Waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans)
Signs: Heavily grazed; waterfowl consume leaves and can uproot marginal plantings in shallow ponds.
Control: Plant in weighted aquatic baskets with gravel topping; use wire mesh guards on new plantings. Mature established stands tolerate grazing well.
Aphids
Signs: Occasional colonies on leaf blades; sticky honeydew; minor yellowing on affected leaves.
Control: Knock off with a strong water jet; encourage natural predators. Avoid chemical sprays near open water.
Keep reed sweet-grass pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Reed Sweet-grass pests — FAQ
What is eating my reed sweet-grass?
Reed Sweet-grass is notably pest and disease resistant. Aphids may occasionally appear on the soft, palatable leaves — cattle and waterfowl graze it heavily in the wild, which is itself the main damage concern in garden ponds. Contain it in a basket and monitor for any wildfowl-related uprooting at pond margins.
How do I get rid of waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans) on reed sweet-grass?
Heavily grazed; waterfowl consume leaves and can uproot marginal plantings in shallow ponds. Plant in weighted aquatic baskets with gravel topping; use wire mesh guards on new plantings. Mature established stands tolerate grazing well.
How do I get rid of aphids on reed sweet-grass?
Occasional colonies on leaf blades; sticky honeydew; minor yellowing on affected leaves. Knock off with a strong water jet; encourage natural predators. Avoid chemical sprays near open water.