Cinnamon Posted August 12, 2007 Share Posted August 12, 2007 In the 2 days when I didn't go & look closely at my Sprouts, caterpillars have infested & eaten great big holes in the leafs I have picked them off (I must have got a couple of hundered!), & thrown them onto the compost heap (Are they OK for the hens to eat, for future reference?) But what can I now do to make sure that I have got them all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted August 12, 2007 Share Posted August 12, 2007 Maybe let the hens at them? They'll be interested in the greens but probably more interested in the caterpillars! Sorry - we never had much success with brassicas! We did use a soap spray on something (when we had our allotment) but I think that was for aphids rather than caterpillars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 12, 2007 Share Posted August 12, 2007 Don't talk to me about caterpillars!! I managed to half eat one with my last broccoli harvest My own fault though My chooks appeared to prefer the leaves to the caterpillars. The only way I could keep them away was a fine netting over the growing plants - with no way around the sides (can't believe how persistent some of those butterflies are ) Once picked, cover with water and stand for a while, the catts drown and let go and can be rinsed out. (I didn't do it with my broccoli - thought it would be OK and it wasn't). Only way while they are still growing is to pick them off, but I may be wrong here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 12, 2007 Share Posted August 12, 2007 Yes, as Snowy says cover with netting. I have 3 sprout plants doing well, covered in netting. It doesn't look very nice but it stops the cabbage white butterfly I did find one under the netting the other day . Last year they attacked my curly kale (not too painful ) and the girls loved the caterpillars!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 12, 2007 Author Share Posted August 12, 2007 Thanks So I will remember to chuck 'em to the girls next time I have to pick of a couple of hundered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 12, 2007 Share Posted August 12, 2007 I covered my brassicas with Enviromesh - but there were gaps - we have very lacy leaves now. The hens love caterpillars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 25, 2007 Author Share Posted August 25, 2007 Going to get some fine netting today, as they have now started on my Caulis Funnily,my hens turned their beaks up at Caterpillars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 The caterpillars have loved my 3 cauliflowers!!! However the cauliflowers were planted in the front garden as there wasn't any room in the back, so that means that the chickens couldn't get to the caterpillars...Now they look sorry for themselves and little! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 26, 2007 Author Share Posted August 26, 2007 Mine have had a munching over the weekend too,Liz. I now have fine netting to help stop the little so & so's Hope it works - its a bit soul destroying to leave healthy plants one evening & find them decimated the next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 Arrrrrrrgh - I had a caterpillar in my bed last night!!!!!!! I peeled back the duvet & there was this thing inching it's way across the bed. It was only little, but quite furry. I think the cat brought it in on her fur as she was on the bed before I got in it last night. Made me shudder a bit. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Eurgh, that's sounds horribel Emma, we used to get them making chrysillases in the downstairs loo when I was little! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...