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How to get rid of the eggs laid by the cabbage moth?

Cabbage (red, white, Savoy)    None Given

What natural product can I use on my cabbage to get rid of the eggs laid by the cabbage moth?


Posted by: Wanda Desfosses (1 point) Wanda Desfosses
Posted: August 2, 2013




Answers

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Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) works well, not against the eggs, but against the young larvae that hatch from them. If you spray at first sign of the tiny caterpillars, your plants won't suffer damage from this pest.

Although many synthetic pesticides and biologicals such as spinosad will kill cabbageworms, BT is a bacterial pesticide that kills only caterpillars (Lepidoptera http://bit.ly/15ltBZt). It won't harm bees or other beneficials, birds, pets, or humans.

Use with care if you like butterflies and/or maintain a butterfly garden, though. All those gorgeous butterflies & moths start off as caterpillars, some of them quite scary-looking.



Posted by: Peg Boyles (4 points) Peg Boyles
Posted: August 2, 2013




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The Bt is a very good suggestion. But also remember that if you see a clump of eggs on the cabbage, use a rough cloth the wipe them off. They are sticky so you will break them but it does effectively stop them.


Posted by: David Hughes (66 points) David Hughes
Posted: August 2, 2013


Peg Boyles commented,
Whoops! Of the several species of cabbageworms, the only one that visits my garden is the imported cabbageworm (Pieris rapae). The adult isn't a moth, but a small, white butterfly, which lays her tiny eggs singly, usually on the undersides of leaves. Almost impossible to detect. The only way I usually know my broccoli or cabbage is under attack is seeing tiny holes in the tenderest leaves and little clumps of bright green frass.

If you have clumps of eggs, you must have the cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), Wanda. http://bit.ly/13tPlRc. Damage is the same. Bt also kills young larvae. But as David suggests, you may be able crush the eggs or wipe them off. Much better to remove those eggs!


over 10 years ago.

Wanda Desfosses commented,
Thank you so much for the info :)
over 10 years ago.



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