13 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Sawflies

Sawflies are in the same order as bees, ants, and wasps. They received their name because of the saw-like ovipositor that the female uses to pierce open plants to lay eggs [1].

The adult sawfly resembles a wasp, but it doesn’t sting.

Moreover, different species of sawflies feed on different plants. Examples include the European pine sawfly, rose sawfly, elm sawfly, and birch sawfly, among others.

These insects go through four distinct stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. However, the larvae are the main culprits behind most plant damage, so you must get rid of them quickly.

Sawfly Larvae Identification

Sawfly larvae resemble small worms, and gardeners often mistake them for caterpillars.

However, they must be appropriately identified because most methods used to control caterpillars are ineffective against them. Help with identification can be found at Wildlife Insight.

How to Get Rid of Sawflies Naturally

Depending on the number of adult sawflies and their larvae, getting rid of them can be complex or straightforward.

The following are 13 natural sawfly control methods you can try:

1. Pick Them Off

Put on a pair of gloves and pick off the larvae and/or eggs from the leaves or needles.

Next, squish them. You can also drop them in insecticidal soapy water to kill them.

Dropping them in a strong vinegar-water solution may also kill the larvae.

2. Birds

Once mature, the larvae drop to the ground to pupate in the soil. Tilling the soil exposes the pupae to birds.

Placing a feeder by the affected plants can also attract birds.

Once they have something to feed on, the birds will keep coming back, and they will also notice any sawfly pupae on the ground.

3. Organic Soap Spray

Since the larvae are soft-bodied, a homemade spray made of four tablespoons of organic soap and a gallon of water will help remove them from the plants.

The stickiness will impede their ability to move, and the film left by the soapy water will suffocate and kill sawflies.

4. Use the Water Hose

Spraying the plants with a strong blast of water will dislodge the caterpillars. However, be careful not to use too strong a spray, or you might damage the plants.

5. Diatomaceous Earth

To control pine sawfly larvae and other sawflies, apply diatomaceous earth to the affected plants by spraying or sprinkling it on the foliage.

Diatomaceous earth also works to keep snails off plants like gooseberries and rose bushes. Moreover, food-grade DE is non-toxic and works better than Sevin (in my opinion).

6. Kaolin Clay

Applying kaolin clay to plants will also deter sawflies and other insect pests. It forms a barrier that irritates and repels insects.

7. Neem Oil

Neem oil is an all-natural insecticide made from the neem tree. It contains azadirachtin, a very potent substance that kills or repels many garden pests.

Combine four teaspoons of neem oil with a gallon of water and a small amount of liquid soap. Spray this homemade sawfly killer on leaves and other affected areas.

8. AzaGuard

This botanical insecticide works against several insect pests, including sawflies. Its active ingredient is also azadirachtin.

Moreover, AzaGuard is safe to use in your organic garden.

9. Vacuuming

This DIY method can also help control sawflies.

If the vacuum has strong enough suction and you’re quick enough, you can also catch the adults before they fly off.

Use a vacuum to suck up the larvae, eggs, and any adults you see. Next, dispose of the critters in soapy water right away.

10. Attract Predators

Sawflies have many natural predators. Doing some research will show which species are native to your area and give tips for attracting them.

Apart from birds, natural enemies of sawflies include lizards, parasitic wasps, and frogs. Ladybugs also eat sawfly larvae.

Try attracting these natural predators to your garden.

11. Spinosad

Spinosad can control pear slugs, caterpillars, and other garden pests.

It attacks the pests’ nervous systems, paralyzes them, and kills them in about two days.

However, the only drawback to using this sawfly treatment is that it may not be effective against the eggs. The pests’ soft bodies need to absorb it for it to work, and the eggs have hard shells.

12. Beneficial Nematodes

The nematodes will enter the bodies of larvae and pupae, becoming parasites that eventually kill them.

Place beneficial nematodes in the soil around plants. These creatures will prey on the sawfly larvae and other pests in the soil.

13. Horticultural Oil

This oil is also an excellent natural remedy for rose slugs. When applied, horticultural oil covers the sawfly eggs and larvae in a thick film, eventually suffocating them.

This method is one of the most effective ways to kill the eggs before they hatch, thereby saving the plant from further damage.

What Do Sawflies Eat?

Specifically, the larvae and adults eat the leaves and needles of trees and shrubs. However, some feed exclusively on roses, hibiscus, raspberries, and gooseberries.

You may also find sawflies on barberries, plums, bottlebrushes, creeping Jenny, dogwoods, willow trees, mallows, and azaleas. They feed in groups.

Damage to Crops

The damage from larvae on plants can vary.

It can be slight or severe. This depends on how many larvae there are and the health of the plants they eat.

Sawfly damage to leaves or needles can take the form of holes in leaves, leaves eaten down to the veins, galls on the leaf surface, or rolled-up leaves.

Healthy, mature plants are less susceptible to this kind of damage. However, young or weak plants will show more damage.

Takeaway

Whether you call them sawfly worms, rose slugs, or pear slugs, sawfly larvae can be a problem in your garden. While they won’t harm people or animals, they can cause significant damage to some plants.

Getting rid of an infestation is the best course of action for a healthy garden and/or orchard.

Using these natural pest control methods will be more beneficial to your plants than any toxic insecticide ever will.