Pesky Butterflies

[Alice]

Nice job Stacey Steve. I netted all my beds to keep cats, pigeons etc off, only to find the cabbage whites could just slip through. I haven't seen any damage so far (but I'm waiting for it). Next year I'll be putting fine net on my brassica bed.

[Ashbylife]

I've been battling them for the last 3 years. First year, thought isn't that cute, just like you Little Lottie - and the lot got eaten. Used netting last year but they kept finding ways through it. Thought I'd got it sussed by using fleece this year. One lot are perfect, but glanced under the fleece for the larger ones at the weekend only to find they were covered with huge caterpillars and looking like skeleton plants! There were even a couple of butterflies in residence who'd obviously gone through the whole lifecycle and hatched out under there! Next year I'll remember to keep checking.....

[Little Lottie]

Oh how I weep, my brussels are now almost reduced to stalks and my cabbage has more holes than the netting I WILL buy for next year! Why i am even growing brussels is still a mystery to me as I only ever have the oblgatory one at Christmas!

[burnie]

I have given up growing brassicas until I retire and will then sit in the middle of the plants with a shot gun!(reading on the BBC site that butterflies are in decline,not noticed any shortage round here)

[SarzWix]

Enviromesh, secured all round the edges. Can be used loose over the plants, or over cloche hoops, or fixed to a wooden frame. I haven't had a single problem with butterflies, caterpillars or pigeons since using it. You can get it pre-packaged in a set size from most garden-centres or buy it by the metre from Harrod Horticultural (I think they call it insect mesh)