Waging War Against the Caterpillar Horde

Pokemato · #1

My bush bean babies have been set upon by a caterpillar horde. I have BT on order, but it won't be here until after then 21st. I have read that you can use a DIY mix of water with fresh garlic/garlic powder, soap and oil. Has anyone used such a mixture? Did it prove successful? Is there another DIY treatment I should try? Thanks for the input!

Cole_Robbie · #2

If you can get some mosquito dunks, I think you can soak them in water, then spray the plants with that water.

MissS · #3

I mix Hartz Flea and Tick Shampoo with water and spray my plants. It works well. It is a contact spray and not a preventative. Only harmful to insects while it is wet. Most of us spray the plants early in the day or towards sunset in order not to sunburn our plants.

Pokemato · #4

Thanks to both of you for the advice!!!!!

Setec Astronomy · #5

Cole_Robbie wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2020 1:59 pm If you can get some mosquito dunks, I think you can soak them in water, then spray the plants with that water.

Hmm...that's an interesting idea! But aren't the dunks a different Bt strain from the one used for caterpillars?

Cole_Robbie · #6

Setec Astronomy wrote: ↑Sun Aug 16, 2020 5:35 am
Cole_Robbie wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2020 1:59 pm If you can get some mosquito dunks, I think you can soak them in water, then spray the plants with that water.
Hmm...that's an interesting idea! But aren't the dunks a different Bt strain from the one used for caterpillars?

That is a good point. Dunks are bti and caterpillar spray is btk. The dunks may not work as well, but I would guess they are better than nothing. I use them to kill fungus gnat larvae.

Here is an article about bt:
https://www.gardenmyths.com/btk-bacillu ... s-kustaki/