Pest identification
What's eating my the bride pearlbush?
Aphids
Signs: Clustered insects on shoot tips; sticky honeydew; distorted young leaves
Control: Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap; plant companion flowers to draw in predators
Caterpillars
Signs: Ragged holes or stripped leaves in late spring and early summer
Control: Hand-pick eggs and caterpillars; apply Bt spray for larger populations
Scale insects
Signs: Hard bumps on bark; branch dieback on older wood; sooty mold on secretions
Control: Prune affected wood; treat with dormant horticultural oil; monitor annually
Keep the bride pearlbush pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
The Bride pearlbush pests — FAQ
What is eating my the bride pearlbush?
The Bride pearlbush is relatively trouble-free but attracts aphids on new spring growth and may suffer from powdery mildew in dry summers. Caterpillars occasionally feed on foliage. Scale insects appear on woody stems from time to time. Rabbits may chew young stems in winter when other food is scarce.
How do I get rid of aphids on the bride pearlbush?
Clustered insects on shoot tips; sticky honeydew; distorted young leaves Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap; plant companion flowers to draw in predators
How do I get rid of caterpillars on the bride pearlbush?
Ragged holes or stripped leaves in late spring and early summer Hand-pick eggs and caterpillars; apply Bt spray for larger populations
How do I get rid of scale insects on the bride pearlbush?
Hard bumps on bark; branch dieback on older wood; sooty mold on secretions Prune affected wood; treat with dormant horticultural oil; monitor annually