Growing Daylilies Together

Daylilies can be bothered by some pests, but usually the damage is minor. Some diseases that can also affect daylilies are mentioned in another article.

Aphids

Daylilies have their own specific aphid which feeds only on daylilies but do little damage.

• Aphids are most active in cool weather in the spring and fall.
• In order to reach daylily aphids inside the fans, a systemic pesticide is needed.
• Always read the label or ask in this forum before using a pesticide for aphid control. Some pesticides have been known to harm daylilies, such as burning scapes.

Spider Mites

• Spider mites are usually not a problem outdoors but rather can be a major pest in greenhouses or indoor growing conditions.

Thrips

Several species of thrips are known to infest daylilies.

• Thrips are a real nuisance, they leave trails in the flowers where they have sucked the juices from the cells, particularly noticeable in the darker varieties.
• Control thrips by spraying early in the growing season with a systemic pesticide. Again, follow instructions on pesticide label.

Slugs and Snails

Slugs and snails feed on the young/tender tissues, causing jagged edges and holes.

• They feed at night and hide during the day in cool, moist places, such as in mulch, under rocks and bricks, and in dead foliage.
• Cleaning up rotting leaves and other dead plant materials in the spring is the best method of control. Wood chips with sharp edges are the better mulch to use when trying to prevent weeds and keep slugs away.

Other Pests

There are other pests that attack daylilies.

• Deer are a major pest, usually prefering flower buds.
• Bulb mites may be involved in the transmittal of crown rot, but this suspicion hasn't been proven yet.
• Research is currently under way with the gall midge fly. The fly attacks early blooming daylily flower buds, laying eggs in the bud and the larvae gorges itself on the tissue inside the bud. This causes the bud to bulge and expand. The best method of control is to pick the affected buds, burn them or place in a sealed plastic bag and dispose of in the garbage.

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