What's eating my sweet pea?

Sweet peas face aphids on tender growing tips as their biggest threat; heavy infestations stunt growth and spread viruses. Slugs damage seedlings at emergence. Pea moth caterpillars feed inside pods if plants are grown for seed. Mice can dig up and eat seeds shortly after sowing. Vigilance from germination is key.

Clustered on shoot tips and tendrils; sticky honeydew, curled leaves, stunted growth; can vector mosaic virus Pinch out very infested tips; spray with insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil; attract beneficial insects

Seedlings severed at soil level or leaves eaten to stubs, mainly in wet weather Sow seeds indoors and transplant as sturdy plug plants; scatter iron phosphate pellets at base of plants

Tiny caterpillars tunnel inside seed pods, leaving frass; mainly affects plants grown for seed Cover with fine mesh during flowering; grow earlier or later in the season to avoid egg-laying period

Seeds dug up and eaten shortly after sowing, leaving empty soil Sow seeds in pots or trays indoors first; set mousetraps near outdoor sowings