Pest identification
What's eating my trailing african daisy?
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on shoot tips and leaf undersides; yellowing, curling foliage and sticky honeydew deposits.
Control: Blast with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Smooth-edged holes in leaves and petals; characteristic slime trails on trailing stems and surrounding soil.
Control: Ferric phosphate pellets or copper barriers; beer traps; hand-pick at dusk.
Whitefly
Signs: Yellowing leaves and sooty mold from honeydew; white insects cloud up when foliage is disturbed.
Control: Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap or horticultural oil sprayed on leaf undersides.
Caterpillars
Signs: Ragged, irregular holes chewed into petals and leaves; frass (droppings) may be visible near feeding sites.
Control: Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray as a targeted, bee-safe biological control.
Keep trailing african daisy pest-free
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Trailing African daisy pests — FAQ
What is eating my trailing african daisy?
Trailing African daisy shares Osteospermum's generally good pest resistance but is low-growing, putting it in reach of slugs and snails. Aphids are the most frequent insect pest, with whitefly also possible. Earwigs and caterpillars occasionally nibble petals. Prompt action with slug controls and insecticidal soap keeps plants healthy.
How do I get rid of aphids on trailing african daisy?
Clusters on shoot tips and leaf undersides; yellowing, curling foliage and sticky honeydew deposits. Blast with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on trailing african daisy?
Smooth-edged holes in leaves and petals; characteristic slime trails on trailing stems and surrounding soil. Ferric phosphate pellets or copper barriers; beer traps; hand-pick at dusk.
How do I get rid of whitefly on trailing african daisy?
Yellowing leaves and sooty mold from honeydew; white insects cloud up when foliage is disturbed. Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap or horticultural oil sprayed on leaf undersides.
How do I get rid of caterpillars on trailing african daisy?
Ragged, irregular holes chewed into petals and leaves; frass (droppings) may be visible near feeding sites. Hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray as a targeted, bee-safe biological control.