Pest identification
What's eating my woolly yarrow?
Aphids
Signs: Sticky colonies on flower stems in late spring; minimal impact on overall plant health
Control: Jet of water; insecticidal soap spray if colonies persist past a week
Spittlebugs (froghoppers)
Signs: White froth on stems; nymphs suck sap beneath, usually harmless
Control: Hose off the froth; no chemical treatment normally needed
Caterpillars
Signs: Occasional chewing of leaf tips, more common in damp, sheltered spots
Control: Hand-pick; apply Bt spray if numbers build on small ground-cover patches
Keep woolly yarrow pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Woolly yarrow pests — FAQ
What is eating my woolly yarrow?
Woolly yarrow's dense silvery mat of hairy foliage deters many pests, and it is strongly deer- and rabbit-resistant. Aphids occasionally target flower stems. Spittlebugs appear in damp summers. The main threat is crown rot from poor drainage — far more damaging than any insect pest.
How do I get rid of aphids on woolly yarrow?
Sticky colonies on flower stems in late spring; minimal impact on overall plant health Jet of water; insecticidal soap spray if colonies persist past a week
How do I get rid of spittlebugs (froghoppers) on woolly yarrow?
White froth on stems; nymphs suck sap beneath, usually harmless Hose off the froth; no chemical treatment normally needed
How do I get rid of caterpillars on woolly yarrow?
Occasional chewing of leaf tips, more common in damp, sheltered spots Hand-pick; apply Bt spray if numbers build on small ground-cover patches