Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Look closely at the new growth for tiny clusters of bugs.
- Check for sticky residue on the leaves.
- Examine leaves for white tunnels or trails.
Likely causes
Aphids
Most likelyHow to tell: You see clusters of tiny green or black insects on the new growth. The leaves may look slightly curled or sticky from honeydew.
What to do: Spray the plant with a strong stream of water to knock them off. For heavy infestations, use insecticidal soap every 5 to 7 days until they are gone.
Leaf miners
PossibleHow to tell: You see winding, white trails or tunnels inside the leaf tissue. The surface of the leaf looks like it has a map drawn on it.
What to do: Pick off and destroy the affected leaves immediately. Keep the area clean of debris to prevent the larvae from completing their life cycle.
Find out what's wrong with your lambs quarters
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
A few bugs are rarely a disaster, but if they start causing leaf damage or stunting growth, you must act. If the plant is covered in pests, it may be too late to save the harvest.
Stopping it coming back
Check your plants weekly and encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs to visit your garden.
Lambs quarters: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lambs quarters 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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Are these pests harmful to me?
- No, aphids and leaf miners are not harmful to humans. Just wash your harvested leaves thoroughly in cool water.
- Should I use chemical pesticides?
- Avoid harsh chemicals, especially since you plan to eat the leaves. Stick to water sprays or organic insecticidal soaps.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Lambs quarters
Back to the Lambs quarters 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.