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

Tiny Terrors: Spittlebugs (And That Weird “Foam” on Your Plants)

If you’ve ever walked through the yard and spotted what looks like someone dabbed a little soap suds or spit on a plant, you’ve probably met the star of today’s “Tiny Garden Terrors” episode: the spittlebug.

The good news is that spittlebugs are usually more gross-looking than dangerous. But if they’re showing up in large numbers, they can stress plants and slow growth—especially on tender new shoots. The best approach is simple, effective, and doesn’t require turning your garden into a chemical zone.

What Are They?

Spittlebugs are the nymph (juvenile) form of froghoppers. When they’re young, they create that familiar bubbly foam (the “spittle”) around themselves.

It’s not there for decoration—it’s protection. The foam helps shield them from predators and from heat and drying out. Under that little bubble fortress, the nymph feeds quietly and stays hidden.

What Do They Do to Plants?

Spittlebug foam is an ugly addition to any plant, but the bigger issue is what’s happening underneath it. Spittlebug nymphs feed by sipping plant juices.

When populations are light, many plants handle it just fine. But heavier infestations can:

Stunt plant growth, especially on new shoots and soft stems
Weaken plants and leave them more susceptible to other stressors
Increase the risk of infections on already-stressed growth

You’ll most often notice spittlebugs on grasses, ornamental plants, perennials, and sometimes shrubs—especially where growth is lush.

What Can I Do? (The Time-Tested Fix)

While pesticides can knock down pests quickly, spittlebugs are one of those cases where the simplest solution is often the best solution.

1) Hose them off

The time-tested method for spittlebug removal is simply hosing your plants down to dislodge the bugs inside their foam. A strong spray breaks up the bubbles and knocks the nymphs off the plant.

Use a firm stream of water (not a mist)
Focus on stems, leaf joints, and new growth where foam collects
Repeat as needed—especially if you keep spotting fresh foam

Pro tip: Spray earlier in the day so plants dry out before evening (less chance of moisture-related issues).

When Should I Worry?

A few foam spots here and there are usually more of an “ew” moment than an emergency. Consider stepping up your response if:

You’re seeing foam on many plants or across a large area
New growth looks stunted, distorted, or weak
You hose them off but they return heavily within a few days

In those cases, it can help to check overall plant health (watering, stress, crowding) and talk through options for your specific plants and season.

How to Spot Spittlebugs Quickly

Look for clusters of white, bubbly foam on:

Stems and leaf joints
New shoots and tender growth
Base of plants or along grasses

If you gently part the foam, you may see a small pale/greenish nymph inside.

Quick Spittlebug Checklist

What you’ll notice: bubbly “spit” foam on stems and new growth
What it is: spittlebug nymphs (young froghoppers) hiding in protective foam
Plant impact: feeding can stunt growth and stress plants if numbers are high
Best fix: hose plants down to break foam and dislodge the bugs
Repeat: as needed until you stop seeing fresh foam

Spittlebugs may look dramatic, but they’re one of the easier “tiny terrors” to handle. A good spray from the hose and a little consistency usually sends them packing.