Pest identification
What's eating my tyee spinach?
Spinach leaf miner (Pegomya hyoscyami)
Signs: Whitish blisters and winding tunnels within leaf; affected areas rot in wet weather
Control: Exclusion mesh from seedling stage; destroy mined leaves; weed out lamb's quarters nearby
Aphids
Signs: Distorted young leaves; sticky honeydew; reduced vigour in heavy infestations
Control: Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage parasitic wasps by avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides
Slugs
Signs: Holes in outer and lower leaves; seedlings severed at soil level
Control: Iron phosphate pellets around the planting area; gritty bark mulch; evening patrols
Keep tyee spinach pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Tyee Spinach pests — FAQ
What is eating my tyee spinach?
Tyee spinach is a smooth-to-semi-savoyed variety with good bolt resistance, but it shares all the key spinach pests. Leaf miners are the headline threat, laying eggs on leaves that hatch into tissue-tunnelling larvae. Aphids cluster in cool spring weather. Tyee's upright habit aids air flow but does not prevent slug damage at the base.
How do I get rid of spinach leaf miner (pegomya hyoscyami) on tyee spinach?
Whitish blisters and winding tunnels within leaf; affected areas rot in wet weather Exclusion mesh from seedling stage; destroy mined leaves; weed out lamb's quarters nearby
How do I get rid of aphids on tyee spinach?
Distorted young leaves; sticky honeydew; reduced vigour in heavy infestations Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; encourage parasitic wasps by avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides
How do I get rid of slugs on tyee spinach?
Holes in outer and lower leaves; seedlings severed at soil level Iron phosphate pellets around the planting area; gritty bark mulch; evening patrols