Pest identification
What's eating my bob gordon elderberry?
Elderberry aphid (Aphis sambuci)
Signs: Dense colonies on stem tips and undersides of leaves; severe leaf curl and shoot distortion; honeydew and sooty mold
Control: Blast with water; insecticidal soap spray in spring before populations explode; encourage ladybirds; avoid excess nitrogen
Elder shoot borer (Desmocerus palliatus)
Signs: Wilting canes from the tip down; hollow, frass-filled tunnels inside stems; cane death
Control: Prune out and destroy wilting canes below the entry hole in early summer; remove old hollow canes in autumn
Deer
Signs: Stems and leaves browsed to stubs, especially in winter and early spring when other forage is scarce
Control: Deer-proof fencing (at least 8 ft); tree guards on young plants; deer repellent spray
Birds
Signs: Ripe berries stripped rapidly — can lose entire clusters overnight
Control: Drape bird netting over fruiting clusters as berries start to colour; grow more than needed and share the harvest
Keep bob gordon elderberry pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats elder — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What eats bob gordon elderberry — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common bob gordon elderberry problems & fixes
- Bob Gordon Elderberry watering schedule
- Bob Gordon Elderberry light requirements
- Full bob gordon elderberry care guide
Bob Gordon Elderberry pests — FAQ
What is eating my bob gordon elderberry?
Bob Gordon Elderberry is mainly threatened by elderberry aphid, which colonises shoot tips and causes leaf curl. Vine borers can girdle canes and deer browse heavily on stems and foliage. Elder shoot borer moth larvae tunnel inside new canes. Birds compete aggressively for ripe berries — which is helpful for wildlife but frustrating for harvesters.
How do I get rid of elderberry aphid (aphis sambuci) on bob gordon elderberry?
Dense colonies on stem tips and undersides of leaves; severe leaf curl and shoot distortion; honeydew and sooty mold Blast with water; insecticidal soap spray in spring before populations explode; encourage ladybirds; avoid excess nitrogen
How do I get rid of elder shoot borer (desmocerus palliatus) on bob gordon elderberry?
Wilting canes from the tip down; hollow, frass-filled tunnels inside stems; cane death Prune out and destroy wilting canes below the entry hole in early summer; remove old hollow canes in autumn
How do I get rid of deer on bob gordon elderberry?
Stems and leaves browsed to stubs, especially in winter and early spring when other forage is scarce Deer-proof fencing (at least 8 ft); tree guards on young plants; deer repellent spray
How do I get rid of birds on bob gordon elderberry?
Ripe berries stripped rapidly — can lose entire clusters overnight Drape bird netting over fruiting clusters as berries start to colour; grow more than needed and share the harvest