Pest identification
What's eating my rheingold arborvitae?
Deer
Signs: Foliage stripped from the outside of the globe; distinctive browse line at the deer's reach height
Control: Wire cage or netting in winter; regular deer repellent applications; plant in protected courtyard or walled garden
Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis)
Signs: Silken bags draped with foliage fragments; hollowed, brown branch sections beneath the bag
Control: Remove bags by hand from late autumn through early spring; Bt at larval hatch
Spider mites (Tetranychus spp.)
Signs: Golden foliage becomes dull and speckled; fine webbing between branch tips in summer
Control: Spray with water forcefully; horticultural oil or bifenazate if mite population is high
Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) — mainly UK/container
Signs: Notched leaf margins (adult feeding); wilting and death of potted specimens as larvae eat roots
Control: Apply nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) to pots in September; check root ball when repotting
Keep rheingold arborvitae pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Rheingold Arborvitae pests — FAQ
What is eating my rheingold arborvitae?
Rheingold Arborvitae, a rounded golden-amber cultivar, is frequently browsed by deer due to its soft, accessible foliage. Bagworms can be devastating, and spider mites thrive in summer heat and drought. In the UK, vine weevil grubs can attack roots of container-grown plants. Inspect the dense foliage routinely.
How do I get rid of deer on rheingold arborvitae?
Foliage stripped from the outside of the globe; distinctive browse line at the deer's reach height Wire cage or netting in winter; regular deer repellent applications; plant in protected courtyard or walled garden
How do I get rid of bagworm (thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) on rheingold arborvitae?
Silken bags draped with foliage fragments; hollowed, brown branch sections beneath the bag Remove bags by hand from late autumn through early spring; Bt at larval hatch
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus spp.) on rheingold arborvitae?
Golden foliage becomes dull and speckled; fine webbing between branch tips in summer Spray with water forcefully; horticultural oil or bifenazate if mite population is high
How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) — mainly uk/container on rheingold arborvitae?
Notched leaf margins (adult feeding); wilting and death of potted specimens as larvae eat roots Apply nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) to pots in September; check root ball when repotting