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Chervil · Anthriscus cerefolium

What are these bugs on my chervil?

Chervil is very attractive to aphids, which love the tender new growth of this herb. Check the undersides of the leaves and the stems to see if these tiny sap suckers are present.

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

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for tiny clusters of bugs.
  2. Look for sticky residue on the stems.
  3. Check for fine webbing near the growing tips.

Likely causes

  1. Aphids

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see tiny green, black, or white insects clustered on the stems and new leaves. They often leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew.

    What to do: Spray the plant with a strong stream of water to knock the aphids off. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap every 5 days for two weeks.

  2. Spider mites

    Possible

    How to tell: These are less common for chervil and usually show up when the air is very dry. You will see fine webbing between the stems and tiny yellow stippling on the leaves.

    What to do: Increase the humidity around your plant by misting it daily. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove the mites and their webs.

Find out what's wrong with your chervil

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

If the plant is covered in aphids, it will become stunted and start to yellow. Act as soon as you see the first few bugs to prevent a full infestation.

Stopping it coming back

Check your plants every time you water to catch pests before they multiply. Keeping the plant healthy and hydrated makes it less appealing to bugs.

Keep your chervil 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

Are aphids harmful to humans?
No, aphids are not harmful to humans, but they ruin the quality of your herbs. Wash your chervil thoroughly before using it in the kitchen.
Should I use chemical pesticides?
Avoid harsh chemicals on herbs you plan to eat. Stick to water sprays or organic insecticidal soap.

More problems with Chervil

Back to the Chervil 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.