Pest identification
What's eating my skirret?
Carrot fly (Psila rosae)
Signs: Creamy-white larvae tunnel into the roots, leaving rust-coloured channels; foliage yellows and wilts; roots become unmarketable.
Control: Erect a 60–90 cm fine mesh barrier around the bed (carrot fly stays low); grow under fleece from sowing; avoid crushing foliage which releases attractant volatiles.
Slugs and snails (Deroceras / Arion spp.)
Signs: Young spring shoots eaten to the ground overnight; emerging crowns can be wiped out before they establish.
Control: Iron phosphate pellets at emergence; beer traps; hand-pick at dusk; keep the area around crowns clear of debris.
Aphids (various species)
Signs: Colonies on stems and leaf undersides; honeydew and distorted leaf growth; stress-weakened plants are most susceptible.
Control: Strong water jet; insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps with nearby flowering umbellifers.
Keep skirret pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Skirret pests — FAQ
What is eating my skirret?
Skirret is an umbelliferous root crop closely related to parsnip and carrot. Carrot fly maggots tunnelling its roots are the main threat. Slugs target emerging spring shoots. Aphids and voles may also feed on plants. Row covers and fine mesh barriers address the most damaging pests.
How do I get rid of carrot fly (psila rosae) on skirret?
Creamy-white larvae tunnel into the roots, leaving rust-coloured channels; foliage yellows and wilts; roots become unmarketable. Erect a 60–90 cm fine mesh barrier around the bed (carrot fly stays low); grow under fleece from sowing; avoid crushing foliage which releases attractant volatiles.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails (deroceras / arion spp.) on skirret?
Young spring shoots eaten to the ground overnight; emerging crowns can be wiped out before they establish. Iron phosphate pellets at emergence; beer traps; hand-pick at dusk; keep the area around crowns clear of debris.
How do I get rid of aphids (various species) on skirret?
Colonies on stems and leaf undersides; honeydew and distorted leaf growth; stress-weakened plants are most susceptible. Strong water jet; insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps with nearby flowering umbellifers.