What Kills Honeysuckle?

Fungal Infection

• Honeysuckle plants are vulnerable to several types of fungal infection. Leaf blight is a common fungal infection of honeysuckle that occurs during rainy periods. Plants infected with leaf blight have circular discolorations on their leaves. Honeysuckle is also susceptible to leaf spots and powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is identifiable as a white coating on the leaves and stems of the plant. Leaf spots are deadened areas of leaf tissue resulting from a fungal infection. Leaf spots are rarely fatal unless the plant is under stress from drought or other infections. Fungal infections result from persistently damp growing conditions sometimes caused by overhead irrigation. Existing infections are often treatable using fungicidal sprays.

Root Rot

• Cotton root rot is a fungal infection affecting the roots of honeysuckle and many other plants. This type of infection commonly occurs in slightly alkaline soils--those with a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. Root rot is often fatal within 4 days of the first symptoms appearing. Plants infected with this fungus first exhibit yellowing leaves that wilt within 72 hours, followed shortly by the plant's death. This disease takes hold only in areas with soil temperatures above 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and is generally restricted to the southern United States. Root rot is difficult to detect and manage, since it spreads between plants through the soil. Deeply tilling the soil or incorporating wheat or oats into the soil prior to planting are effective preventive measures. Existing infestations are treatable by quarantining affected areas with a ring of rapidly growing mold-resistant grass.

Insects

• The honeysuckle aphid infests areas of new growth in honeysuckle plants. These insects are relatively small, allowing hundreds of aphids to infest a single branch. They're rarely fatal to honeysuckle plants unless they're left untreated for several years, but large infestations will deform and weaken plants. These insects feed on the sap of the leaves, causing them to fold over and cover the insects. Insecticidal sprays and soaps are most effective at removing these pests if they're applied in April or May.

Control

• There are two main methods of killing unwanted honeysuckle plants: chemical sprays and mechanical removal. Physically removing the plants and their roots from the soil is an effective method for dealing with small growths of honeysuckle. Using a hoe to remove the roots from the soil while it's damp eases the removal process. Chemical sprays containing glyphosate or triclopyr are defoliants that are effective when applied to the leaves, or in higher concentrations on the stems of the plant.