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The snowball is relatively robust against diseases and pests. Only aphids bother him occasionally. The black aphid in particular uses the hardy viburnum as a winter host, in summer it then retreats back to the jasmine.
A well cared for, healthy viburnum is rarely attacked by pests
For this reason, you should not plant these two shrubs in the immediate vicinity of each other. The shorter the aphid's journey from winter to summer host and back, the more pests will survive the journey.
How do I protect my snowball bush from pests?
As is so often the case, prevention is the best protection. If you take good care of your snowball, it will hardly suffer from pests or diseases. Above all, make sure that you water it sufficiently and do not fertilize it too much. If you over-fertilize or after too long a dry period, it is easier for pests to infest.
Aphids don't like it very much if you treat your snowball with a broth made from field horsetail as a precaution. Hang upside down flower pots that you have filled with straw or excelsior on clay. They serve as a shelter for beneficial insects that like to eat aphids, such as earwigs. Ladybugs or lacewings will also help you to destroy aphids.
Mixed cultures are less frequently attacked by pests, and species-specific pests cannot spread so easily there. Lavender, savory and other plants, for example, keep aphids away with their essential oils. Glue rings, which you can attach to the bottom of the bush, help against leaf beetles.
Preventive measures against pests:
- Glue rings against leaf beetles
- Pouring with a broth made from field horsetail
- Hanging clay pots filled with straw to provide shelter for beneficial insects
What can I do if the pests are already there?
First, spray your snowball with a powerful jet of water, which removes most of the little creatures mechanically. You can also use soft soap (€44.90) or nettle broth if water alone doesn't help enough.
tips
Before you resort to chemical pesticides, try out the various home remedies such as soft soap or beneficial insects. With a little patience and perseverance, you can achieve a positive result without polluting the environment.