Caterpillars....

Wizard_of_Oz_fan · 5 September 2010 at 4:34PM

Help - the sprouts are being invaded by Caterpillars, tried picking them of, tried washing up liquid any one have any ideas? We had the same problem last year and they ended up eating the whole crop...GRRRR
:eek:

Sally_A · 5 September 2010 at 5:03PM

They should die off, or have had their fill soon, so long as the centre of the plant is undamaged you might still get sprouts. the important thing now is to bed them in ie do a clog dance around the root, and support them with a cane, as a loose rooted plant will give you blown sprouts rather than the tight button sprouts you are really after.

A._Badger · 5 September 2010 at 5:56PM

The only long term answer is to net against the butterflies. In the short term, you can buy sprays that will kill them - pyrethrin-based ones are the best in my experience. I believe they're still available, though no doubt our lords and masters in Euroland will ban them before long, like they have just about every other useful pesticide. Except the ones made by German chemical companies like Bayer, of course.

Wizard_of_Oz_fan · 8 September 2010 at 10:56AM

Ok thankyou for your replies

ukbill69 · 8 September 2010 at 7:09PM

Right I found tonight they where hiding the the bud at the top. Open up and Ill bet you will find them in there.

mutopian · 9 September 2010 at 4:18PM

I've heard neem is a good insecticide to use, which is a herb which you would infuse like a tea and leave to cool before spraying. It isn't harmful to the environment or toxic to ingest, either. I haven't tried it personally but I know of others who have. If you have trouble souring the herb you could try midland herbs and spices, based in birmingham.