Pest identification
What's eating my ruby chard?
Aphids (Myzus persicae and related species)
Signs: Colonies on leaf undersides and growing tips; sticky honeydew, distorted, yellowing leaves
Control: Blast off with a strong jet of water; introduce ladybugs or lacewings; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap
Beet leaf miner (Pegomya betae)
Signs: Pale blister-like tunnels winding through leaf tissue; badly mined leaves wilt and die
Control: Remove and destroy mined leaves immediately; cover with fine insect-proof mesh from sowing; crush larvae visible in blisters
Slugs and snails
Signs: Irregular holes in leaves, mainly at night or after rain; slime trails left behind
Control: Apply copper tape around containers; use iron phosphate pellets (pet-safe); hand-pick at dusk; set beer traps
Caterpillars (beet armyworm / cabbage looper)
Signs: Ragged holes chewed through leaves; dark frass on foliage; stems cut near soil level
Control: Hand-pick and destroy; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to foliage; cover rows with insect mesh
Keep ruby chard pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Ruby Chard pests — FAQ
What is eating my ruby chard?
Ruby Chard is targeted by aphids, leaf miners, and slugs outdoors, with caterpillars (beet armyworm, cabbage looper) also attacking the foliage. Aphids are the most frequent pest. Birds and rabbits graze young plants. Net covers, copper tape for slugs, and regular aphid checks keep most damage manageable.
How do I get rid of aphids (myzus persicae and related species) on ruby chard?
Colonies on leaf undersides and growing tips; sticky honeydew, distorted, yellowing leaves Blast off with a strong jet of water; introduce ladybugs or lacewings; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap
How do I get rid of beet leaf miner (pegomya betae) on ruby chard?
Pale blister-like tunnels winding through leaf tissue; badly mined leaves wilt and die Remove and destroy mined leaves immediately; cover with fine insect-proof mesh from sowing; crush larvae visible in blisters
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on ruby chard?
Irregular holes in leaves, mainly at night or after rain; slime trails left behind Apply copper tape around containers; use iron phosphate pellets (pet-safe); hand-pick at dusk; set beer traps
How do I get rid of caterpillars (beet armyworm / cabbage looper) on ruby chard?
Ragged holes chewed through leaves; dark frass on foliage; stems cut near soil level Hand-pick and destroy; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to foliage; cover rows with insect mesh