Salvias are popular perennial flowers eff for their spiky blooms that pull hummingbird and butterflies . However , these plant life can fall victim to various chewing pests that damage their foliage . If you ’ve noticed ragged holes or skeletonized leaves on your sage , here are some probable culprits and how to contain them from corrode your plants
Common Salvias Pests
Several insects and gastropod are attracted to the tasty foliage of sage . Watch for these vernacular salvia pests :
Caterpillar – Many moth and butterfly larvae lovemaking munch on salvia farewell . Check undersides of leaves for greenish , brown or grim caterpillars .
Beetles – Leaf beetles , flea beetles , and Nipponese beetle eat small trap in leafage . Nipponese beetles skewer leaves between their spiky leg as they feed .

Slugs and snails – Nocturnal slugs and snails make big , maverick holes with liquid edges Look for their unworthy trail .
Leafminers – These modest fly dwell eggs inside leaves . The larvae tunnel between the foliage surfaces , make winding trail or blotches .
aphid – Tiny pear tree - shaped aphids cluster on new increment and underside of farewell , suck out plant fluids .
Thrips – Minuscule thrips rasp and feed in on leaves , causing silver streaks , dots , or deform growth .
Earwigs – Crescent - determine notches on leaf edges may signal nighttime - feeding earwigs .
Stop Salvias Pests with these Solutions
If pests are feed hole in your salvias , take action mechanism to protect your plants . Here are some effective , eco - friendly solutions :
Handpick plague – crack plants daily and crush great pests like caterpillars , slugs , and beetles . Drop in soapy pee .
Use row covers – Cover plant with fabric run-in covers to create a physical barrier against pestilence .
Apply organic insecticide – Spray plants with OMRI - listed insecticidal soaps , neem oil , or spinosad to defeat larvae and sonant - bodied insects .
Use good nematodes – Water in nematodes to by nature pop soil - populate pests like earwigs .
Set beer traps – sump cup of beer in filth to attract and drown slugs and escargot .
Spread diatomaceous earth – splash this scratchy powder on soil to tear up soft clout and snail bodies .
Clean up debris – polish off plant life bedding material and smoke where cuss hide .
draw natural piranha – flora flowers that support beneficial wasps , ladybeetle , lacewing fly , and birdie that prey on pestilence .
Rotate salvias – Move plant to a unexampled spot in your garden each time of year to cut off pest cycles .
Improve soil – Enrich soil with compost to beef up plant and facilitate them recover from pest damage .
Identify the Culprit
To determine exactly what is munching on your salvia , inspect plants close first thing in the morning or at dark with a flashlight . depend for grounds like :
Green caterpillars on leaves or under debris at plant base
swig or escargot trails across grime and chewed leaf
clean butterfly hover around plant , indicate caterpillar larva
Clusters of small insects on undersides of leaf
Skeletonized leaf , only veins remain
scraggy notches along leafage edges
midget specks moving on leaves
Crescent - shaped bite soft touch on foliage allowance
How to prevent pests from eating salvias, perennials and ornamentals?
Re: how to get rid of pests eating my salvias, perennials and oranamentals
That damage would be consistent with caterpillars or slugs . The Baythroid would be desirable for caterpillars , or you could useDipel . The chew marks are not quite as semi - circular as what I would normally expect to see from a caterpillar , so I suggest you treat from slugs , too . I urge usingEco - constitutive Garden 600 g Eco - Shield Organic Snail & Slug Killer .
Hera a helpful guide : Protect your garden from snail , punch and leaf eaters .
Please countenance me eff if you have any question .
How to Prune Salvia to Get Continuous Blooms!! Learned this by Accident! My Selective Pruning Method
What rust salvia plant ?
Slugs and Snails are the most common pests of Salvias . pocket gopher and Chickens also have neat damage to your Salvia plants . Birds like Finches love to munch on Salvia seeds . Squirrels damage your Salvia plants by dig ’em up . Salvias are grown for their colorful blossoms . The genus Salvia check a number of species .
How do you protect salvia from pests and diseases ?
To protect Salvias from pests and diseases , it ’s crucial to describe culprits , apply natural remedies , and position up strong-arm defenses . I ’ve noticed that the most prevalent pests on Salvias include slugs , snails , aphids , spider mites , and caterpillars . Deer and rabbits can also nibble on these plants .
Are salvias poisonous ?
Salvias , normally know as salvia plants , are a popular choice among gardeners for their beautiful flowers , aromatic foliage , and ability to appeal pollinator . However , like any other works , salvias are susceptible to various pests that can cause damage and hinder their growth .
What if my Salvia plant is leggy ?
Solution : If your Salvia plant is leggy , consider transplanting it to a sunnier locating . Keep in mind that it may take some fourth dimension for the plant life to adjust to the Modern placement , but with proper fear , raw growth should appear less leggy and more compendious . 6 . Yellowing of Leaves