Caterpillars Control option

One of the simplest methods for controlling caterpillars is to pick them off plants and drop them into a bucket of soapy water or squish them.

This takes a bit of time and may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Another option is to cover crops with insect barrier fabrics. The fabrics form a barrier, keeping moths from landing on crops and laying eggs in the first place.

Since most fall vegetables are grown for their leaves or their roots and do not require pollination, covering them with fabrics does not reduce yields.

Another way to control caterpillars is to spray infested plants with an appropriate insect control product. Products containing organic and synthetic active ingredients are available from local garden centers.

When applying any pesticide be sure to read and follow all label directions and pay careful attention to the pre harvest interval. This is the number of days you must wait between the time you spray the plant and the time you harvest. Pre harvest intervals vary among insecticides from 0 to 21 days or more. If you plan to harvest soon, be sure to choose a product with a short pre harvest interval.

Some of the advantages of using organic pesticides are that they are less harmful to beneficial insects and break down quickly, so do not leave behind long lived residues. This is also their main drawback. Because organic pesticides break down quickly, usually within a few days of being applied, they must be reapplied often to provide ongoing plant protection. Check product labeling for application timing recommendations and restrictions.

Yours in the garden Farm2Markt