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Common Milkweed · Asclepias syriaca

Why are there bugs on my Common Milkweed?

Milkweed is a magnet for insects, which is exactly what it is meant to be. Most of these visitors are harmless or even beneficial, but some can stress your plant if they get out of hand.

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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 small clusters of insects.
  2. Check if the bugs are causing the leaves to wilt or turn yellow.
  3. Identify if the insects are beneficial pollinators or actual pests.

Likely causes

  1. Oleander Aphids

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see clusters of small, bright yellow bugs with black legs covering the stems and undersides of leaves. They suck sap and leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew.

    What to do: Blast them off with a strong stream of water from your garden hose. If the infestation is severe, you can wipe them off with a damp cloth or use insecticidal soap.

  2. Milkweed Bugs

    Possible

    How to tell: These are orange and black insects that feed on the seeds and stems. They are generally not harmful to the plant's health unless they are present in massive numbers.

    What to do: Simply leave them alone as they are part of the milkweed ecosystem. If they are damaging too many seed pods, you can hand pick them and relocate them.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common milkweed

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

Only worry if the plant is losing significant vigor or if the aphids are preventing the plant from blooming. Most of the time, the plant handles these visitors just fine.

Stopping it coming back

Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings to visit your garden by planting a variety of native flowers nearby.

Common Milkweed: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common milkweed and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Should I use pesticides to kill the bugs?
No, avoid chemical pesticides at all costs. Milkweed is a host plant for Monarch butterflies, and chemicals will kill the caterpillars you are trying to support.
Are the yellow bugs harmful?
Oleander aphids can stunt growth if they cover the entire plant. A little bit of feeding is normal, but a total takeover should be managed with water sprays.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Common Milkweed

Back to the Common Milkweed guide

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