Have any tent
caterpillars affecting your plants? One of our colleagues treated some colonies
with detergent and water which killed them effectively - especially with a
little cooking oil mixed in. Malathion works too BUT is not good for bees at all,
so not the first choice in products for this application.
Bacillus thuringiensis
kurstaki (Btk) is a certified organic pesticide derived from bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt). It is both bee friendly and very effective when caterpillars are 1/2 inch
to 1 inch long . It achieves this by freezing their intestines and starving
them.
Fortunately for us, Haskap is their least preferred food and virtually indigestible to them as the leaves carry their own natural pesticide. That won't prevent them from eventually eating it but it is gratifying to know we are giving them a tummy ache. J . Here is one of these destructive creatures getting ready to cocoon up in a hazel leaf.
Fortunately for us, Haskap is their least preferred food and virtually indigestible to them as the leaves carry their own natural pesticide. That won't prevent them from eventually eating it but it is gratifying to know we are giving them a tummy ache. J . Here is one of these destructive creatures getting ready to cocoon up in a hazel leaf.
If you have your
own unique ways of getting rid of destructive caterpillars, please let us know!
