Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Look for tiny, jumping insects on the leaves.
- Check the soil surface for slime trails.
- Examine the undersides of leaves for eggs or larvae.
Likely causes
Flea beetles
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see many tiny, shot hole sized punctures in the leaves. The beetles themselves are small and jump away when disturbed.
What to do: Use floating row covers to physically block the beetles from reaching the leaves. You can also spray the plants with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Slugs or snails
PossibleHow to tell: These pests leave larger, irregular holes and often leave a slimy trail behind. They usually feed at night.
What to do: Hand pick them off the plants in the evening. You can also place shallow dishes of beer near the base to trap them.
Find out what's wrong with your wild mustard
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
Worry if the holes cover more than 20 percent of the leaf surface. Minor damage is usually tolerated by the plant.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the area around your plants free of weeds and debris where pests hide. Use row covers early in the season.
Wild mustard: pests? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your wild mustard 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
- Will flea beetles kill my plant?
- They rarely kill a healthy, mature plant, but they can stunt growth. Seedlings are most at risk.
- Are these pests harmful to humans?
- No, flea beetles are strictly plant eaters and do not bite or harm people.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Wild mustard
Back to the Wild mustard 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.