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Baby’s breath, or Gypsophila, is an important crop for specialty cut-flower farmers. Popular for their use as filler in cut-flower arrangements, baby’s breath plants have also made their way into home flower gardens. With their large, airy growth habit, it is easy to see why many growers choose baby’s breath when wishing to make a profound statement in the garden. Like any plant, however, there are many garden pests that may prevent baby’s breath plants from reaching their full potential. Read on to learn more about insects on Gypsophila plants.
Though invasive in some places, baby’s breath plants are not impervious to damage that can be done by insects in the garden. Pests of baby’s breath plants can cause both failure of bloom, as well as complete collapse of the plant if young or not yet well established.
As with any plant in the flower garden, when identifying Gypsophila plant pests, it is imperative that growers are able to distinguish between beneficial and nuisance insects. You should begin looking for insects on Gypsophila before the plants begin to show signs of damage. This can be done by inspecting the plants on a weekly basis.
Baby’s breath is a delicate flowering plant that is beloved for its airy fluffy blooms. Often used in floral arrangements and bouquets baby’s breath adds a dreamy, romantic element. However, like any plant, baby’s breath can fall victim to pesky bugs and insects. One common pest that feeds on baby’s breath is the crusader bug. If you notice these little critters munching on your baby’s breath, it’s important to take action to get rid of them and protect your plant. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to identify, prevent, and safely eliminate crusader bugs on baby’s breath.
What are Crusader Bugs?
Crusader bugs also known as boxelder bugs or red shouldered bugs, are a type of sap-sucking insect. They have an elongated oval shaped body with a bright red thorax and black wings with red veins. Adult crusader bugs grow to around 1/2 inch in length. These pests get their name from the distinctive red cross-shaped marking on their back.
Crusader bugs pierce plant tissue and feed on the sap, causing yellowing, wilting, and death of leaves and flowers. An infestation can quickly get out of hand, leaving your baby’s breath riddled with unsightly damage. Acting quickly to control crusader bugs is key to saving your plant
Identifying Crusader Bugs on Baby’s Breath
Closely inspecting plants regularly makes spotting pests like crusader bugs easier. Warning signs to look out for include:
- Black speckles on leaves and stems – this is crusader bug excrement
- Clusters of small, red and black bugs on undersides of leaves
- Yellowing, stippled, or curling foliage
- Wilting stems and flowers
- Honeydew residue or black sooty mold on leaves
Acting at the first signs of infestation gives you the best chance of eliminating crusader bugs before they destroy your baby’s breath. Catching them early also allows for gentler, natural control methods.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Crusader Bugs
For mild crusader bug infestations, try these natural remedies first:
Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soap sprays are effective against soft-bodied insects like crusader bugs. The soap disrupts the insect’s cell membranes, causing death. Coat baby’s breath foliage thoroughly, especially leaf undersides where the bugs hide.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that repels and kills many harmful garden pests. Use neem oil spray on baby’s breath to deter feeding and disrupt crusader bug reproduction.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is made from crushed fossils and has sharp edges that cut into soft-bodied insects. Lightly dust leaves and soil around baby’s breath to shred crusader bugs on contact.
Encourage Natural Predators
Ladybugs, lacewings, and birds help control crusader bug populations naturally. Avoid pesticides that would harm these beneficials. Plant pollen and nectar sources to attract them.
Chemical Pest Control Methods
For heavy crusader bug infestations, you may need chemical pesticides. Use as a last resort, carefully following all label instructions:
Pyrethrin Insecticides
Derived from chrysanthemums, these broad-spectrum insecticides kill crusader bugs on contact while posing minimal risk to humans. Reapply every 7-10 days.
Systemic Insecticides
Applied to soil, systemic insecticides are absorbed by baby’s breath roots, making the plant toxic to feeding crusader bugs. Offers long-lasting protection.
Horticultural Oils
These oils smother all stages of crusader bugs. Use lightweight oils and coat foliage thoroughly to suffocate the pests while allowing the plant to breathe.
Insect Growth Regulators
IGRs disrupt the crusader bug life cycle, preventing nymphs from reaching adulthood and reproducing. Apply at first sign of infestation for best results.
Preventing Future Crusader Bug Infestations
Eliminating current pests is only half the battle – taking steps to prevent future attacks is critical:
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Inspect plants thoroughly each week and take action at the first sign of bugs.
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Remove weeds and debris where bugs may be hiding.
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Hose plants down with water to knock off and drown pests.
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Avoid excess fertilization, which encourages pest outbreaks.
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Rotate insecticides from different classes to prevent resistance.
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Introduce beneficial predators to naturally control populations.
With vigilance and quick action, you can protect your baby’s breath from ravaging crusader bugs. Natural methods like insecticidal soap and neem oil work well for small infestations. For heavy invasions, chemical pesticides may be warranted as a last resort. The key is to identify and treat crusader bugs early before extensive damage occurs. Follow these best practices, and you can continue enjoying gorgeous, pest-free baby’s breath.
Leafhoppers on Baby’s Breath Plants
While there are quite a few bugs that eat baby’s breath, one of the most common and more serious are leafhoppers. Adult leafhoopers are small green-yellow bugs with black spots, while leafhopper nymphs are smaller and appear lighter in color.
These Gypsophila plant pests are a common pest to other flowers in the garden too, such as asters. In fact, these leafhoppers are responsible for the spread of an infection called aster yellows. Aster yellows is a disease that can cause the yellowing and loss of the baby’s breath plants.
Damage from leafhoppers and other baby’s breath pests may first present as small yellow or white spots on the foliage of the plant. Eventually, the damaged leaves will fall from the plant.
While the presence of leafhoppers may not be able to be prevented, gardeners can take measures to help avoid infestation.
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FAQ
What are the bugs in baby’s breath?
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What bugs eat baby’s breath?
While there are quite a few bugs that eat baby’s breath, one of the most common and more serious are leafhoppers. Adult leafhoopers are small green-yellow bugs with black spots, while leafhopper nymphs are smaller and appear lighter in color. These Gypsophila plant pests are a common pest to other flowers in the garden too, such as asters.
Are Baby’s Breath plants a pest?
Pests of baby’s breath plants can cause both failure of bloom, as well as complete collapse of the plant if young or not yet well established. As with any plant in the flower garden, when identifying Gypsophila plant pests, it is imperative that growers are able to distinguish between beneficial and nuisance insects.
How do you know if a plant has a Baby’s Breath pest?
Damage from leafhoppers and other baby’s breath pests may first present as small yellow or white spots on the foliage of the plant. Eventually, the damaged leaves will fall from the plant. While the presence of leafhoppers may not be able to be prevented, gardeners can take measures to help avoid infestation.
Can Baby’s Breath grow in a flower garden?
When healthy, these plants will produce a profusion of small white blooms in spring and throughout the growing season. However, if choosing to grow baby’s breath in the flower garden, there are some common Gypsophila diseases that may cause rapid decline in the health of the plants – problems you should be aware of.