Pest identification
What's eating my sweet pea 'spencer'?
Aphids (blackfly / greenfly)
Signs: Dense clusters on stem tips and flower buds; distorted foliage, sticky honeydew, sooty mould
Control: Remove infested tips; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce or attract natural predators
Slugs & snails
Signs: Chewed stems and leaves on young plants; slime trails left behind
Control: Barriers of sharp grit or copper; iron phosphate pellets; evening patrols with a torch
Thrips
Signs: Silver-streaked or flecked petals; distorted buds in dry, warm weather
Control: Mist foliage to raise humidity; remove and bin heavily affected blooms; insecticidal soap on bad infestations
Pea moth (Cydia nigricana)
Signs: Larvae inside seed pods eating developing seeds; tiny entry holes visible
Control: Cover plants with fine mesh netting during the flowering period; use pheromone traps to monitor
Keep sweet pea 'spencer' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Sweet Pea 'Spencer' pests — FAQ
What is eating my sweet pea 'spencer'?
Sweet Pea 'Spencer' faces the same core pests as all Lathyrus odoratus: aphid colonies on new growth, slug damage to seedlings, and pea moth caterpillars in pods. Thrips can scar petals in hot, dry spells. Aphids remain the most persistent threat throughout the season.
How do I get rid of aphids (blackfly / greenfly) on sweet pea 'spencer'?
Dense clusters on stem tips and flower buds; distorted foliage, sticky honeydew, sooty mould Remove infested tips; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce or attract natural predators
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on sweet pea 'spencer'?
Chewed stems and leaves on young plants; slime trails left behind Barriers of sharp grit or copper; iron phosphate pellets; evening patrols with a torch
How do I get rid of thrips on sweet pea 'spencer'?
Silver-streaked or flecked petals; distorted buds in dry, warm weather Mist foliage to raise humidity; remove and bin heavily affected blooms; insecticidal soap on bad infestations
How do I get rid of pea moth (cydia nigricana) on sweet pea 'spencer'?
Larvae inside seed pods eating developing seeds; tiny entry holes visible Cover plants with fine mesh netting during the flowering period; use pheromone traps to monitor