Zinnia Insect Pests

Zinnia insect pests

Feeding on zinnia foliage can be prevented by using sprays of acephate, azadirachtin, carbaryl or malathion, which are among the products registered for use against this pest in Connecticut. Imidacloprid, applied early in the season as a soil drench, will provide season-long systemic control.

What makes holes in zinnia leaves?

The holes could be due to Japanese beetles or to a couple of other smaller beetles that sometimes eat zinnia leaves. But none of those would typically cause whole plants to brown and die. Leafhoppers are another zinnia-attacking bug that make spots on the leaves but also spread a disease that can kill the plants.

Can I spray soapy water on zinnias?

A strong spray of water from a garden hose will knock them off your zinnias eliminating them however this strong spray of water can also break the leaves of zinnias. The use of insecticidal soap will give good results or a homemade remedy that has proven to be effective is soap liquid and water.

What diseases do zinnias get?

Only two diseases are commonly troublesome on zinnias (Zinnia elegans), powdery mildew and Alternaria blight. Alternaria blight is the most common and conspicuous. Spotting of the foliage caused by the fungus, Alternaria zinniae, is the most conspicuous symptom of zinnia blight.

What insect is eating my zinnias?

Aphids are common insects that damage zinnias when they puncture the leaves and stem to feed on the sap, or juice of the plant, says the University of Illinois Extension. Other pests, such as mites and scales, also damage zinnias by feeding on the sap, reveals the University of Florida IFAS Extension.

What can I spray on my flowers to keep bugs from eating the leaves?

Once they're gone for the moment, spray down the plants with a homemade insecticidal soap. A great recipe for a homemade bug spray for vegetable plants is to use one tablespoon of dish soap, one cup of vegetable oil, one quart of water, and one cup of rubbing alcohol.

What to spray on plants with holes in leaves?

Caterpillar control: To stop leaf damage from caterpillars, spot-treat individual pests or plants with Sevin Ready to Use. For larger areas, try Sevin Insect Killer Concentrate or Sevin Insect Killer Ready to Spray. People and pets can reenter the area when sprays dry.

What is causing tiny holes in my plants?

Slugs and Earwigs Slugs are the most common cause of holes in leaves, but they often remain unseen because they feed at night. Sometimes larger slugs eat leaves from the edge inward, but small slugs make irregular holes inside leaves, as shown in the chard leaf on the right in the above photo.

How do you treat leaf holes?

For both, treat with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Sucking insects poke tiny holes in leaves and draw the juices out of them. Common sucking insects include aphids, squash bugs, and spider mites.

What is eating my zinnias at night?

With their soft, moist-looking bodies, slugs resemble snails without shells. They often leave shiny, silvery trails as they move. In spring and summer, they feed at night and chew ragged holes across the veins of the leaves of zinnias.

How do you use vinegar as a pesticide?

Mixing a quart of water, 12 ounces of vinegar, and a tablespoon of dish soap, you can create a mixture that will rid your garden of annoying, buzzing pests. This mixture is also harmless to plants, animals, kids, and other garden bugs you want to keep around.

Does soapy dishwater hurt plants?

Soapy wash water from dishes or laundry will help keep plants alive in an emergency, but you should be aware of certain possible problems. Chlorine. Bleaches commonly contain chlorine, which can damage plants, particularly if it touches the foliage.

How do you keep bugs out of zinnias?

Spray applications of insecticidal soap may be applied to control spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies, but always spray flowering plants in the late evening to prevent harming beneficial insects or hummingbirds. Insecticidal soap sprays must be directed at the lower leaf surfaces where many pests feed.

How do you keep zinnias healthy?

Maintain moderate soil moisture and fertilize lightly to maximize growth and blooms.
After zinnias flower, cut off the old flowers (a process called “deadheading”) to encourage more flowers to form.
Zinnias are annuals and will die with the first hard frost of fall.

Do zinnias need to be watered every day?

Watering: Zinnias need moist soil to grow their best. This is especially true of young plants. Water deeply a few times a week so the soil stays moist 6 to 8 inches deep. Don't overwater because zinnias can also succumb to rot diseases especially on wet, clay soils.

What is chewing holes in my flowers?

In most cases, holes in the leaves of your flowers mean insect pests, such as caterpillars or slugs. Look on the undersides of leaves for insects or inspect the ground for other telltale signs. Caterpillars, for example, leave green fecal pellets, while slugs and snails leave a shiny trail.

How do you get rid of Japanese beetles on zinnias?

Start by spraying the affected plants with a pyrethrin-based insecticide or neem oil.

Pyrethrin is a safe and effective way to control these obnoxious pests on raspberries, grapes, flowers and vegetables.
Neem oil is derived from a tree and it reduces the feeding by the beetles (it's called an antifeedant).

What does Japanese beetle look like?

What does it look like? Adult Japanese beetles are oval-shaped and approximately 1 cm long. They are metallic green with two bronze wing covers and six white tufts of hair on each side of the abdomen. The larvae look very similar to chafer beetle and other creamy white C-shaped grubs that are found in the soil.

Can I spray my plants with soapy water?

Because soapy water works by touching the insects, sprays need to be made whenever new insect populations appear and start to grow. Spraying soap directly on the leaves when no insects are present does nothing, as soap doesn't bother insects if they eat it. It only works if it contacts the full body.

What is the best homemade insect repellent?

Mix 1 part oil of lemon eucalyptus or lavender essential oil with 10 parts witch hazel in the bottle. (For each drop of oil, use 10 drops of witch hazel.) Shake gently to mix. Spray to apply.