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Alder buckthorn · Frangula alnus

What are the bugs on my Alder buckthorn?

It is less common for an Alder buckthorn to have pests, but it usually happens when the plant is stressed by poor light or improper watering. Check the undersides of the leaves first to identify the specific pest.

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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 with a magnifying glass.
  2. Look for sticky residue or fine webbing on the stems.
  3. Check new growth for clusters of tiny insects.

Likely causes

  1. Aphids

    Possible

    How to tell: Small, soft bodied insects clustered on new growth or the undersides of leaves. You might also see a sticky residue called honeydew on the foliage.

    What to do: Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or spray the plant with a gentle stream of water. For larger infestations, use a mild insecticidal soap every 7 days until they are gone.

  2. Spider Mites

    Possible

    How to tell: Fine webbing between the leaves and tiny yellow stippling on the leaf surface. These pests thrive in dry, warm conditions.

    What to do: Increase the humidity around the plant by misting it regularly. Wipe down the leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap to remove the mites.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your alder buckthorn

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

Worry if the infestation is covering the entire plant or if the leaves are curling and yellowing rapidly. It is normal to see an occasional stray bug, but a full colony requires immediate action.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant healthy with proper light and water, and wipe the leaves down occasionally to keep them clean and dust free.

Alder buckthorn: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your alder buckthorn 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

Can I use dish soap to kill the bugs?
You can use a very diluted solution of mild dish soap, but be careful as it can burn the leaves. It is safer to use a dedicated insecticidal soap.
Will these pests spread to my other plants?
Yes, pests like aphids and spider mites can easily travel to nearby plants. Isolate your Alder buckthorn until you are sure the infestation is cleared.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Alder buckthorn

Back to the Alder buckthorn 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.