Pest identification
What's eating my twinspur?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Young plants are sheared at the base overnight; ragged holes in soft foliage; slime trails left behind.
Control: Apply ferric phosphate pellets; use copper tape around pots; wool mulch mats around border plants; hand-pick at dusk.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on tender shoot tips after summer cutback; stunts autumn rebloom flush; leaves curl and turn sticky.
Control: Strong jet of water; insecticidal soap spray; avoid systemic insecticides to protect visiting pollinators.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling on leaves in hot, dry conditions; fine webbing on undersides.
Control: Increase moisture and humidity around plants; neem oil or miticide spray.
Keep twinspur pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Twinspur pests — FAQ
What is eating my twinspur?
Twinspur (Diascia barberae) is generally easy-going but slugs are a genuine threat, capable of demolishing young plants overnight. Aphids target the soft regrowth produced after the midsummer cutback. Spider mites can appear in hot, dry spells. Slug protection at planting time and a water jet for aphids covers most scenarios.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on twinspur?
Young plants are sheared at the base overnight; ragged holes in soft foliage; slime trails left behind. Apply ferric phosphate pellets; use copper tape around pots; wool mulch mats around border plants; hand-pick at dusk.
How do I get rid of aphids on twinspur?
Clusters on tender shoot tips after summer cutback; stunts autumn rebloom flush; leaves curl and turn sticky. Strong jet of water; insecticidal soap spray; avoid systemic insecticides to protect visiting pollinators.
How do I get rid of spider mites on twinspur?
Fine pale stippling on leaves in hot, dry conditions; fine webbing on undersides. Increase moisture and humidity around plants; neem oil or miticide spray.