caterpillars

broadis_2

Does anyone have a miracle to rid my veg of caterpillars. I have been picking them off, but weather sooooo wet cannt get out much. I know they grow into beautiful butterflies, but I need my veg to eat.
thanks

Janey3

I know how you feel! I have no miracle cure, as like yourself I pick them off morning and night. You may like to try planting nasturtium plants near to the veg, caterpillars love the leaves and it has certainly helped my veg patch to stay a bit more caterpillar free.

wayne1983

That spray works i bought from wilkos, i reccomend that.

ukbill69

Right I learnt from last year, that butterfly's lay loads of eggs on the leafs and then a week later caterpillars hatch and eat the lot, So what I done, it stuck up netting from wilko and propted up with bamboo, see my veg gorwing thread and you will see pics. And I spay ultimate bug spray and not had an issue and no eggs laid.

lola34

A friend told me to use warm soapy water, she did on the cabbages they were munching through and it worked

myrtleturtle

have used this method myself with cold water, soap suds coat the things and suffocates them.

lola34 wrote: »

A friend told me to use warm soapy water, she did on the cabbages they were munching through and it worked

broadis_2

Thanks for that. I will have a go with soap suds I think.

greenval

Just a note of caution about hairy caterpillars. I don't mind the normal ones but 2 years running I have had a hairy caterpillar land on my arm briefly whilst working in the borders. The first time I just brushed it off the second I went inside and cleaned the area where it had been. Each time the result was a severe burning sensation and a large blister followed by the area becoming infected. The Dr. ,who looked a bit horrified ,gave me Fucidin cream which eventually cleared the infection but I had an area of Barbie pink coloured skin which 10 mths later is still the first bit of me to burn in the sun.
I don't know how thwy do thgis but it's not fun

broadis_2

OMG! My daughter loves caterpillars. Thanks, I will warne her not to touch them.