Mountain Laurel Pests - Fighting The Bugs That Eat Mountain Laurel Bushes

What is eating my mountain laurel?

The culprit: the Genista Broom moth caterpillar, Uresiphita reversalis. Sometimes called the Sophora worm, these moth larvae relish the toxic leaves of our native Texas Mountain Laurels, Sophora secundiflora. ... Mature Mountain Laurels are expensive at nurseries.

How do you get rid of mountain laurel worms?

For best results make foliar spray applications (liquid sprays to leaves) when small larvae first appear. Insecticide products containing Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt) are best used when caterpillars are small (½ inch or less) and actively feeding on leaves.

What insects eat laurel leaves?

Pests of Laurel

CONTROL. Only plants in pots need to be treated for vine weevil.
CHEMICAL CONTROL. Drench the compost of the plant with either Provado Vine Weevil Killer 2 or Bug Clear Ultra Vine Weevil Killer.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL. Nematodes can be used to control vine weevil.

What animals eat mountain laurel?

Deer also consume the mountain laurel and other similar species of plant. The compounds in the plants burn the mouths of animals, which dissuades consumption, but deer will still eat them as a last resort, which usually indicates that all the rest of the ungulate species' food sources have dried up.

Do hummingbirds like mountain laurel?

This plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees (although their honey will be toxic and should be avoided). Protect the delicate fibrous mountain laurel roots with a two-to-six-inch layer of mulch.

Is Mountain Laurel poisonous to dogs?

Mountain Laurel: This beautiful flowering plant can be quite toxic to both dogs and cats. The toxin associated with this plan results in abnormal functioning of muscles and nerves. Common symptoms include lethargy, drooling, uncoordinated walking, and a decreased heart rate.

What causes mountain laurel to die?

Fungal Leaf Drop on Mountain Laurels

Fungal diseases primarily occur when temperatures are warm and conditions are wet or humid. Fungal spores bloom on consistently wet leaves causing spotting, lesions, halos and eventually die-off of the leaf.

What's killing my mountain laurel?

Leaf spot and leaf spot are fungal diseases that commonly afflict mountain laurel. Both diseases may cause yellowing and browning of leaf tissue, as well as irregular blotches, lesions and spots, and may lead to premature leaf drop. Rake up and remove dropped leaves, because the fungus can remain active in dead leaves.

Do deer eat laurel bushes?

Cherry-Laurels are a tried and true deer-proof hedge. All three of our types – English (Prunus laurocerasus), Schip (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis'), and Portuguese (Prunus lusitanica) – are totally unattractive to deer.

Is cutting Laurel dangerous?

Are Laurel Hedges Poisonous to Humans? Laurel hedging is also toxic to humans – including berries, leaves and stems – and particularly wilted or fallen leaves. Care should be taken whilst planting your hedge and avoid chipping the wood, as this can release hydrocyanic fumes into the air.

How do I encourage Laurel growth?

Use a Fertiliser

Using fertiliser is a great way to encourage laurel growth. Established laurels grow better with the help of balanced fertilisers such as Rootgrow fertiliser, whereas new laurels struggling to establish and grow prefer a natural, organic fertiliser such as Bonemeal.

How often should you water laurel hedging?

How often should you water Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs in spring/summer?

every 2 days if the soil is very dry and / or sandy.
every 4 days if the soil holds water.
every 6 days if the soil is holds water and is in the shade.

Is Mountain Laurel poisonous to touch?

From leaf to stem to branch, mountain laurel is poisonous in all its forms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it can even be fatal to both humans and some animals. The way it takes victims out isn't overly pleasant either.

Is Mountain Laurel toxic to humans?

Toxicity. Mountain laurel is poisonous to several animals, including horses, goats, cattle, deer, monkeys, and humans, due to grayanotoxin and arbutin.

What does mountain laurel smell like?

The Texas Mountain Laurel is a drought-tolerant evergreen shrub with dark, shiny leaves and large drooping clusters of purple flowers that smell oddly like grape bubblegum. The flowers give way to large seed pods filled with bright red seeds.

What is a hummingbird's favorite flower?

Brightly-colored flowers that are tubular hold the most nectar, and are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. These include perennials such as bee balms, columbines, daylilies, and lupines; biennials such as foxgloves and hollyhocks; and many annuals, including cleomes, impatiens, and petunias.

Can Mountain Laurel grow in full sun?

Mountain laurel will grow in USDA Zones 5 to 9 in deep shade to full sun, but it does best in moderate to partial shade. In deep shade it won't produce as many flowers and can become spindly.

What is the best hanging plant to attract hummingbirds?

The most natural way to satisfy hummingbirds' thirst for nectar is to grow flowers they love. Three hummingbird favorites — fuchsias, geraniums and mini-petunias — thrive when planted together in hanging baskets.

What part of the mountain laurel is poisonous?

Toxicity. Mountain laurel is poisonous to several different animals, including horses, goats, cattle, sheep, and deer, due to andromedotoxin and arbutin. The green parts of the plant, the flowers, twigs, and pollen are all toxic, and symptoms of toxicity begin to appear about 6 hours following ingestion.

Do bees like mountain laurel?

Bees are attracted to the mountain laurel and, if they spend a lot of the season collecting pollen and nectar from it, they can produce a poisonous honey.

Can goats eat mountain laurel?

Clinical Signs: Typically not very palatable to horses unless it is the only forage available, but sheep and goats may graze readily on the plant.