How To Get Rid Of Spittlebugs On Lavender

You can get rid of spittlebugs on lavender by blasting them off with a strong stream of water, then applying a mild insecticidal soap or neem oil spray to keep them from coming back.
 
Spittlebugs on lavender love to hide inside those frothy white blobs that look like someone spat on your plant, and while they rarely kill a mature lavender, they can weaken it over time.
 
If you’ve been asking how to get rid of spittlebugs on lavender, the good news is that it’s totally doable without harsh chemicals.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through why spittlebugs are hanging around, how to remove them, and how to stop them from returning to your lavender.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

Why Spittlebugs Love Your Lavender

Spittlebugs on lavender are a common sight, especially in spring and early summer.
 
Here’s why they’re drawn to it.
 

1. Lavender’s Soft New Growth

Spittlebugs feed on plant sap, and they love the tender new stems and leaves that lavender puts out in spring.
 
Young shoots are easier to pierce, so the bugs settle right in and start feeding.
 

2. The Ideal Warm, Damp Conditions

Spittlebugs thrive in mild, humid weather, which is why you often see them on lavender after a wet spring or in coastal gardens.
 
The foamy spittle they produce actually protects them from drying out and hides them from predators, so the moisture works in their favor.
 

3. Lavender’s Dense Foliage

Lavender grows in tight, bushy clumps, and that dense foliage gives spittlebugs plenty of hiding spots.
 
The spittle is usually tucked right where the leaves meet the stem, making it hard to spot or reach at first glance.
 

How to Get Rid of Spittlebugs on Lavender

So how do you actually get rid of spittlebugs on lavender?
 
Here are the methods that work best.
 

1. Blast Them Off With Water

The simplest way to get rid of spittlebugs on lavender is to hose them off with a firm spray of water.
 
The spittle washes away, exposing the bugs underneath, and the force of the water knocks them right off the plant.
 
Do this in the morning so the lavender has time to dry out before evening, which helps prevent fungal issues.
 

2. Spray With Insecticidal Soap

If water alone doesn’t do the trick, an insecticidal soap is a gentle but effective follow-up for getting rid of spittlebugs on lavender.
 
Spray it directly on the exposed bugs after you’ve knocked off the foam.
 
Follow the label directions, and reapply every seven to ten days until the spittlebugs are gone.
 

3. Use Neem Oil for Longer Control

Neem oil works well for getting rid of spittlebugs on lavender and also helps deter them from coming back.
 
It disrupts the bugs’ feeding and reproduction, so a few applications can break the cycle.
 
Just apply it in the early evening to avoid scorching the lavender in the hot sun.
 

4. Handpick the Stubborn Ones

For small infestations, you can simply handpick the spittlebugs off your lavender.
 
Wear gloves and drop them into a bucket of soapy water.
 
It’s a bit tedious, but it’s a reliable way to get rid of spittlebugs on lavender when the numbers are low.
 

5. Encourage Natural Predators

Ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps all feed on spittlebugs, so inviting them into your garden helps keep numbers down.
 
Planting a few nectar-rich flowers nearby gives these beneficial insects a reason to stick around.
 

Preventing Spittlebugs From Returning to Lavender

Once you’ve gotten rid of spittlebugs on lavender, a little prevention goes a long way.
 
Here’s how to keep them from coming back.
 

1. Prune for Better Airflow

Spittlebugs love dense, humid hiding spots, so pruning your lavender to improve airflow makes it far less inviting.
 
Trim back crowded stems after flowering, and keep the center of the plant open.
 

2. Avoid Overwatering

Lavender hates soggy soil, and wet conditions attract spittlebugs.
 
Water at the base and let the soil dry out between waterings to keep both the plant and the pests in check.
 

3. Keep the Area Around Lavender Clean

Clear away fallen leaves, weeds, and debris where spittlebugs might overwinter.
 
A tidy garden bed removes the shelter they need to survive between seasons.
 

4. Check Your Lavender Regularly

Inspect your lavender every week or so, especially in spring.
 
Catching spittlebugs early makes getting rid of them much easier, before they spread across the whole plant.
 

So, How Do You Get Rid of Spittlebugs on Lavender?

You get rid of spittlebugs on lavender by blasting them off with water, then following up with insecticidal soap or neem oil for lasting control.
 
Spittlebugs rarely cause serious damage to lavender, but they’re unsightly and can weaken the plant if left alone.
 
With regular checks, good airflow, and a few simple treatments, you can get rid of spittlebugs on lavender and keep your plant healthy and thriving.