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Kiwifruit · Actinidia chinensis

How do I get rid of pests on my kiwifruit?

Scale insects are the most common pests for kiwifruit vines, appearing as small bumps on stems and leaves. Inspect your vine closely to catch them before they spread.

pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Look for sticky residue on the leaves or stems.
  2. Examine the undersides of leaves for small bumps.
  3. Check the nodes where leaves meet the stem.

Likely causes

  1. Scale Insects

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see small, brown, or tan bumps that look like tiny shells on the stems or leaf veins. These insects suck sap and can cause yellowing or leaf drop.

    What to do: Scrape off light infestations with a soft toothbrush or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger issues, spray the vine with horticultural oil or neem oil every 7 to 10 days until they are gone.

Find out what's wrong with your kiwifruit

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Small numbers of scale are manageable, but a heavy infestation can weaken the vine significantly. Treat immediately if you see the population growing.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your vine healthy with proper light and water, as stressed plants are more attractive to pests. Regularly wipe down leaves to keep them clean.

Keep your kiwifruit healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Can I use dish soap to kill scale?
A mild solution of dish soap and water can help, but horticultural oil is much more effective at suffocating these pests.
Will these pests kill my vine?
They rarely kill a healthy, mature vine, but they will stunt growth and reduce fruit production if left unchecked.

More problems with Kiwifruit

Back to the Kiwifruit guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.