my little herb garden(seedlings) are being munched away on by creatures. I found one fat catapillar this morning and picked it off. Not sure if that is the only one or there are families deciding to vacation for the summer.
I was using a powder version of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) but it did not seem to slow them down. What do you all of you recommend?
I've looked up suggestions on line at GARDENERS.com www.gardeners.com/Pest%20an...lt,pg.html Looks like some stuff can not be shipped to CA
thanks for your help!
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Los Angeles
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Re: evil darn catapillars
Sat, June 21, 2008 - 10:37 AM
Seems there are a few caterpillars around the garden. My friend said they come out at night so I went out with a flashlight and saw a more that I picked off - no wonder so much was eaten. I've put more of the BT stuff down. Arggh, it took so long for some of these seedlings to sprout, seeing them munched is quite sad. I will have to start some over again and hope to add some plants that attract beneficial insects.
Any one have some suggestions that may be quicker?
Thanks
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Re: evil darn catapillars
Sat, June 21, 2008 - 12:47 PMI don't have personal experience with this, but here's what my buddy suggested. Use tulle row covers to keep the moths off. No moths, no caterpillars.
She also said a healthy wasp population will keep the caterpillars down so don't kill of the wasps if you can avoid it.
Good luck. -
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Re: evil darn catapillars
Sat, June 21, 2008 - 2:13 PMI had a caterpillar problem not that long ago myself. I used the pick and squish or pick and throw method, which was suggested to me by another gardener here on tribe. They did manage to eat quite a bit of my lettuce leaves but after a week or two of me picking them out the problem cleared up. -
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Re: evil darn catapillars
Sat, June 21, 2008 - 2:47 PMThey wouldn't happen to be butterfly plants would they? -
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Re: evil darn catapillars
Sat, June 21, 2008 - 3:11 PM
Thanks for the input - I've ordered some Bergamot and Calendula seeds to keep with an herbal garden theme.
This is what I have been trying to growing out there :
Basil, Dill, Thai Basil, Oregano, Big Leaf Basil, Garlic Chives, Parsley – Italian, Purple Basil, Johnny Jump Up, Rosemary,
Lavender, Sage, Borage, Lemon Grass, Salad Burnet, Chamomile, Savory, Chervil, Marjoram, Sunflower, Cilantro / Coriander
Peppermint, Tarragon, Clary Sage, Spearmint, Thyme
The only stuff the caterpillars did not munch on was the Chervil since it is in a different area, Lemon Grass & Peppermint. -
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Re: evil darn catapillars
Sun, June 22, 2008 - 11:17 PMI read somewhere that you can buy (or make out of roofing felt) little 'collars' to go around the base of the plants , this apparrently stops eggs being laid at the base? obviously a bit late now, but maybe in the future? I hate the fact that whenever I plant cabbage, and go to look a couple of days later and there are rows of tiny catapilars ALL OVER them!!! -
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Re: evil darn catapillars
Sun, July 6, 2008 - 5:56 AM
I've been on caterpillar patrol at night and thought I got them all, then a week passed and seems I have some new one eating my plants with vengeance. Arrrgh! It's so humid here, I think there are more caterpillars than usual.
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