What Pest Affect Daylilies

What Pests Affect Daylilies

Daylilies are often considered to be free of pests when compared to other flowering plants. In fact, this is one of the reasons why they are popular among many gardening enthusiasts and landscapers. However, daylilies also have some pests, and it is always a good idea to be informed about the common pests so that you can diagnose the problem whenever it arises. Here is a list of what pests affect DAYLILIES.

Aphids

Aphids are some of the most common pests in many gardens, and daylilies are also susceptible to their destructive sap sucking habits. The first symptoms to look out for are white flecks that appear like dandruffs but are the shed skin of the aphids are a clear indication that your daylilies have been infested with aphids. Additionally, the leaves display a clear and sticky secretion that may attract ants. The aphid that attacks daylilies is normally green and very small. Aphids can quickly reproduce and spread throughout a garden within a very short period of time.

In order to control APHIDS, use organic methods rather than chemical pesticides. Ladybugs, their larvae, and wolf spiders will voraciously devour aphids and do a great job of controlling them. In case you have to use a spray, use an organic insecticidal soap.

Spider Mites

Spider mites are extremely minute mites that usually such on the daylily plant’s chlorophyll. This causes the plant to turn yellow or light green colour. The attacked area can also form brown spots. If you observe the undersurface of the leaves, you may notice webbing. You may also notice constant movement of the tiny mites in the webbing, but you might need a magnifying glass to see this. Spider mites often feed on the leaves’ underside, leaving a dried silvery to grey cast.

Spider mites thrive in dry and hot summers. You can slow them down by misting the garden and keeping the soil watered. Oftentimes, gardeners will just use a jet spray of water to knock them off the plants. In case the infestation is really heavy, you may have to apply a pesticide. Spider mites can develop immunity to some chemicals, it is advisable to rotate products occasionally.

Slugs

Although slugs are not insects, they can be daylily pests if not controlled in the garden. They can eat dormant plants during mild winters, as well as new emerging shoots during spring time. They normally hide during the day and feed at night. Slugs love cool damp places such as organic mulches. Oftentimes a shiny, slimy trail is the only evidence of a slug’s presence. Slugs have a very soft underside. Due to this weakness, applying rough gravel, sand around the daylily plants will lacerate their underside and eventually kill them. In extreme cases, you may have to use slug pellets to control them. Apparently, slugs are a favoured delicacy by ducks, raising some ducks might help and clean them up.