Pest identification
What's eating my shark teeth venus flytrap?
Spider mites
Signs: Grey-green stippling and fine webbing at trap bases and leaf midribs; traps may discolour and decline to reset
Control: Increase humidity to 50–70%; submerge the pot in distilled water for 48 hours weekly until clear; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray if needed
Fungus gnat larvae
Signs: Larvae attack the rhizome in persistently wet sphagnum, leading to basal blackening and plant failure
Control: Use BTi drench (Mosquito Bits steeped in water) applied to the media; top-dress with quartz sand to discourage adult egg-laying
Aphids
Signs: Colonies form on flower scapes and emerging traps, causing stunted and twisted new growth
Control: Remove with isopropyl alcohol swab; snap off flower stalks at ground level to eliminate the preferred egg-laying site and redirect plant energy to traps
Keep shark teeth venus flytrap pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Shark Teeth Venus flytrap pests — FAQ
What is eating my shark teeth venus flytrap?
Shark Teeth Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula 'Shark Teeth') faces the same indoor pest pressures as all Dionaea cultivars. Spider mites are the most frequent damager, thriving in the low humidity of heated homes. Fungus gnats in wet sphagnum and aphids on flower stalks are secondary threats worth watching.
How do I get rid of spider mites on shark teeth venus flytrap?
Grey-green stippling and fine webbing at trap bases and leaf midribs; traps may discolour and decline to reset Increase humidity to 50–70%; submerge the pot in distilled water for 48 hours weekly until clear; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray if needed
How do I get rid of fungus gnat larvae on shark teeth venus flytrap?
Larvae attack the rhizome in persistently wet sphagnum, leading to basal blackening and plant failure Use BTi drench (Mosquito Bits steeped in water) applied to the media; top-dress with quartz sand to discourage adult egg-laying
How do I get rid of aphids on shark teeth venus flytrap?
Colonies form on flower scapes and emerging traps, causing stunted and twisted new growth Remove with isopropyl alcohol swab; snap off flower stalks at ground level to eliminate the preferred egg-laying site and redirect plant energy to traps