What Eats Jalapeno Plants

If you’re growing jalapenos, you’ve probably wondered what eats jalapeno plants. It’s a common question for gardeners who find holes in leaves or missing fruit. These hardy plants have some natural defenses, but several persistent garden pests see them as a tasty target. Identifying the culprit is the first step to protecting your pepper harvest.

This guide will walk you through the most common insects and animals that damage jalapenos. We’ll cover how to spot them, the specific harm they cause, and effective ways to manage them. With a little knowledge, you can keep your plants healthy and productive all season long.

Your jalapeno plants can be attacked by pests at every stage of growth, from seedlings to mature fruit-bearing plants. The damage can range from cosmetic leaf holes to complete destruction of the plant. Let’s break down the offenders into two main groups: insects and larger animals.

Common Insect Pests

These tiny invaders are often the most frequent problem. They multiply quickly and can be hard to spot until damage is significant.

Aphids

These small, soft-bodied insects cluster on the undersides of leaves and new growth. They suck plant sap, which weakens the plant and can cause leaves to curl and yellow. Aphids also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can lead to sooty mold.

Look for: Tiny green, black, or white bugs in clusters, sticky leaves, distorted new growth.
Control: Blast them off with a strong spray of water. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs. Use insecticidal soap for severe infestations.

Hornworms (Tobacco and Tomato Hornworms)

These are among the most destructive pests. They are large, green caterpillars that can strip a plant of its leaves virtually overnight. They blend in very well with the foliage.

Look for: Missing leaves, dark green droppings on leaves below, and the large caterpillars themselves.
Control: Hand-pick them off (they are easy to spot once you find one). Encourage parasitic wasps, which lay eggs on the hornworms. Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), a natural bacterial insecticide.

Flea Beetles

These tiny, jumping beetles chew numerous small, shotgun-like holes in leaves. They are most damaging to young seedlings, which can be stunted or killed.

Look for: Many tiny round holes in leaves, especially on young plants. You may see the small, shiny black beetles jump when disturbed.
Control: Use floating row covers to protect young plants. Apply diatomaceous earth around the base. Sticky traps can also help reduce numbers.

Cutworms

These caterpillars hide in the soil during the day and emerge at night to feed. They sever young seedlings at the soil line, cutting the hole plant down.

Look for: Healthy seedlings found cut off and laying on the ground in the morning.
Control: Place cardboard or aluminum foil collars around the stems of transplants, pushing them an inch into the soil. Till the soil before planting to expose pupae. Hand-pick at night with a flashlight.

Spider Mites

These are nearly microscopic pests that suck juices from leaves, causing a stippled or bronzed appearance. Severe infestations leave fine webbing on the plant. They thrive in hot, dry conditions.

Look for: Yellow speckling on leaves, fine silk webbing, and overall poor plant vigor.
Control: Increase humidity with regular overhead watering. Spray plants thoroughly with insecticidal soap or neem oil, making sure to hit the undersides of leaves.

Pepper Weevils

A serious pest specifically for peppers. The adults feed on buds and fruit, but the larvae tunnel into the pepper pods and cause them to drop prematurely or rot from the inside.

Look for: Small, dark beetles near flowers or buds, and tiny holes in young peppers. Prematurely yellowing and dropping fruit is a key sign.
Control: Remove and destroy any infested fruit immediately. Practice good garden cleanup at season’s end. Insecticides are rarely effective once larvae are inside the fruit.

Common Animal Pests

Larger creatures can also cause significant damage, often eating the fruit or entire plants.

Slugs and Snails

These mollusks feed at night and on cloudy days, leaving large, irregular holes in leaves and often scarring the fruit itself. They leave a tell-tale slime trail behind.

Look for: Ragged holes in leaves, slime trails on leaves or soil, and damage to low-hanging peppers.
Control: Set out beer traps (a container sunk in the soil filled with beer). Hand-pick at night. Create barriers with diatomaceous earth or copper tape around plant beds.

Birds

Birds, especially sparrows, are often attracted to the bright red color of ripe jalapenos. They may peck holes in the fruit, sometimes just for the moisture inside.

Look for: Peck marks or hollowed-out peppers, often on the ripest fruits.
Control: Use bird netting over the plants. Hang reflective tape or old CDs to scare them away. Provide an alternative water source elsewhere in the yard.

Deer and Rabbits

Deer will browse on leaves and can break branches, while rabbits will nibble on tender leaves and stems, especially on young plants.

Look for: Cleanly clipped stems and leaves (rabbits) or torn, ragged browsing (deer). Tracks and droppings are also clues.
Control: Physical fencing is the most effective method. For rabbits, a 2-foot tall chicken wire fence buried a few inches deep works. For deer, a much taller fence (8 feet) is often necessary. Repellent sprays can offer temporary protection.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Jalapenos

The best approach is a combination of strategies that focuses on prevention and minimal intervention. Here’s a step-by-step plan:

Start with Healthy Plants: Choose disease-resistant varieties and plant strong, healthy transplants. Healthy plants are more resilient to pest damage.
Inspect Regularly: Check your plants at least once a week, looking under leaves and along stems. Early detection makes control much easier.
Encourage Beneficial Insects: Plant flowers like marigolds, dill, and yarrow to attract ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps that prey on common pests.
Use Physical Barriers: Employ floating row covers early in the season to exclude insects like flea beetles. Use collars for cutworms and netting for birds.
Practice Good Sanitation: Remove diseased leaves, fallen fruit, and spent plants promptly. This eliminates hiding places and overwintering sites for pests.
Try Organic Sprays First: If intervention is needed, start with the least toxic option like a strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil, or Bt for caterpillars.
Rotate Crops: Avoid planting peppers or other nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant) in the same spot year after year. This helps break pest and disease cycles.

Preventive Care is Key

Strong, unstressed plants are your best defense. Ensure your jalapenos get plenty of sun (at least 6-8 hours), consistent watering (deeply, but allow soil to dry slightly between), and proper nutrition. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, as this can promote lush, soft growth that aphids and other sucking insects love. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer is usually best.

Mulching around your plants with straw or wood chips helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and can create a barrier that deters some soil-dwelling pests. It also keeps fruit cleaner and off the bare soil.

FAQ: Jalapeno Plant Pests

Q: Do jalapeno plants keep pests away?
A: The capsaicin in peppers deters many mammals, but most insects are not affected by it. So while rabbits might avoid them, insects like aphids and hornworms will still feed on the plants.

Q: What is making holes in my jalapeno plant leaves?
A: This is a classic sign of several pests. Small, shotgun-like holes are likely flea beetles. Larger, irregular holes could be from caterpillars (like hornworms), slugs, or even grasshoppers.

Q: How do I protect my jalapeno peppers from bugs?
A: Regular inspection, encouraging beneficial insects, and using physical barriers like row covers are the best first steps. If needed, organic sprays like insecticidal soap can help for soft-bodied insects.

Q: Why are my jalapeno peppers turning black and falling off?
A: This can be caused by blossom end rot (a calcium/watering issue) or pest damage. Check for small holes in the fruit, which could indicate pepper weevils or other insect larvae feeding inside.

Q: Can I spray my pepper plants with soapy water?
A: Yes, a mild solution of insecticidal soap (or a DIY mix of mild liquid soap and water) can be effective against aphids, spider mites, and other soft-bodied insects. Test it on a few leaves first and avoid spraying in full, hot sun to prevent leaf burn.

Dealing with pests is a normal part of gardening. By knowing what eats jalapeno plants and taking proactive steps, you can greatly reduce there impact. The goal isn’t always total elimination, but managment to keep your plants healthy enough to produce a great harvest. With consistent care and observation, you’ll enjoy plenty of spicy peppers from your garden.