Gertie Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 I've got a lovely climbing cotoneaster which has webs all over it. I looked it up and it appears to be webworms. There doesn't seem to be much treatment advice. Anyone got any ideas how to save my plant. I sprayed it all over with soapy water incase that helps! The foliage looks eaten & there's caterpillar poop all over the webs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 Just incase anyone else is experiencing this problem, I think I know what is wrong with the plant. It is a caterpillar that weaves webs around the plant. I pruned off as much as I could then bought Provado bug killer which I applied with a pressure sprayer. I asked in the garden centre. Hopefully it wont be too late for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 not those nasty brown caterpillars which are affecting the south east? cant remember the exact name, but they are incredibly itch-inducing, so if you have been anywhere near, take care!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Just incase anyone else is experiencing this problem, I think I know what is wrong with the plant. It is a caterpillar that weaves webs around the plant. I pruned off as much as I could then bought Provado bug killer which I applied with a pressure sprayer. I asked in the garden centre. Hopefully it wont be too late for it! Aaaaaaaaaaaarrrrgh NO!!! Cotoneaster is beloved by bees and the thiacloprid in the Provado will kill them in their thousands. Look for something with Bacillus thuringiensis in it. Amazon have it here http://www.amazon.co.uk/CATERPILLAR-KILLER-12-SQM-AREA/dp/B000P9B65Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304515078&sr=1-1 and I'm sure you can find it in any decent garden centre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Oh dear! That is the last thing I wanted. I feel well and truly stupid now. I read the packet & it didn't say it was harmful to bees. However, on the plus side, there are no flowers left on the plant! The caterpillars ate them already. I won't use it again if it's harmful to bees. Ironically I was trying to save it because the bees like it! As you can tell, I'm new to gardening. What can I do about it? Should I cut down the plant? Can I wash it off? What do you suggest. I don't want to be using pesticides. Oh, if only you'd seen the post sooner. I feel awful now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Don't feel awful. Companies like Bayer have a lot to answer for. They steadfastly refuse to own up that this group of pesticides can cause any problems hence no warning on their products. The flowers are not yet open so bees won't be visiting yet. A really thorough soaking with a hose might be in order. Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. Knee jerk reaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 I do feel awful, but I'm very glad to know - so I check more carefully in the future! I will soak it with the hose & hope for the best. All the buds & flowers are all dead & shrivelled so hopefully there's nothing to attract the bees. I'm usually really careful about the use of chemicals as we have chooks & a pond ...but I didn't know what else to do. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 A really thorough soaking with a hose might be in order. On reflection that will only get the residual stuff off the plant. The pesticide is a systemic one so remains in the plant and the caterpillars are poisoned by eating it. Gertie, you've told me in a pm that the flowers are dead so the bees will be OK. I hope your cotoneaster survives .....they are such nice plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
