Editing Canna (plant) (section)

===Pests===
Cannas are largely free of pests. However, in the [[East Coast of the United States|eastern]] and [[southern United States]], plants sometimes fall victim to the [[Canna leaf roller|canna leaf roller moth]], with the resultant leaf damage, while not being fatal to the plant, can be most distressing to a keen gardener's eye.<ref name=Cooke/>

[[Slug]]s and [[snail]]s are quite fond of cannas and their large, juicy leaves, potentially leaving unsightly holes where they have chewed on the plant—particularly during and after rainy periods (when mollusks become active). Slugs and snails tend to prefer tender, younger foliage, however. [[Red spider mite]]s may also be a potential pest for cannas grown indoors, in dry areas, or that receive poor airflow.

For canna grown outside (in [[California]] or [[Texas]], for example), [[mealybug]]s and [[scale insect]]s are most drawn to the dense folds and creases between the leaves and the stem/petiole, where the foliage attaches to the plant. At times, if left unchecked, these sucking-insects may remain effectively concealed in these tight areas, only for older or dead leaves to be peeled off to reveal a small colony of white, fuzzy mealybugs congregated. Mealybugs are particularly prevalent in drier climates, such as the [[Southwestern United States|Southwestern US]].<ref name="Cooke" /> [[Japanese beetle]]s can also ravage the leaves if left uncontrolled.<ref name="Pests">[http://vvv.caes.state.ct.us/PlantPestHandbookFiles/pphC/pphcann.htm Plant Pest handbook]{{Dead link|date=November 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

These pests, while certainly able to drain a plant of its energy over time, and cause its eventual decline, are generally not lethal to the plant when dealt with immediately. The majority of insect pests on canna plants can be sprayed with a 70% [[Isopropyl alcohol|isopropyl]] alcohol mist—diluted slightly—applied during non-sunny periods, as the alcohol may cause sunburn on the plant. Other effective options include [[insecticidal soap]], [[Neem oil|neem]] and [[horticultural oil]]s, and other commercially available spray treatments. Granulated systemic insecticides are also useful, and generally completely safe; when applied to the soil topically every few months, granulated or powdered systemics will prevent nearly all pest infestations (for the duration of effectiveness). Non-scented [[Wet wipe|baby wipes]] or paper towels, moistened with rubbing alcohol or [[cider vinegar]] may be used to wipe any invisible eggs or larvae from the leaves.