Holey cabbage!

[blackkitty]

I used to be squeamish about squashing caterpillars - not any more. I try to be organic so use the organic boot as a means of pest control most of the time. I've had loads of eggs but seem to have been able to catch the problem at this stage. If you look on the underside of the leaves they're easy to spot as they're bright yellow.

[jaybex]

[QUOTE=snohare;24951Spent hours the other day blasting them with water, picking them off by hand, removing the netting so that the birds could get in about for a feast...

We've had more of a problem with pigeons than caterpillars. We had netted the cabbages etc but found they were still getting eaten. Someone on our allotment said it was pigeons. Raised the netting and (fingers crossed) they are doing much better. (first lot of cabbages had to be thrown tho).

Could end up being a scene from wacky races with our pigeons!!!

[dexterdoglancashire]

It gives me some crumbs of comfort to know that Im not alone with the probelms Ive been having, just hope everyone else is more successful! dexterdog

[JennieAtkinson]

I think I'm winning Either that or it has been too cold. Caterpillars didn't like the blasting of Natural Pest Control and now I have got the Enviromesh on I hope I don't get anymore problems this year.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Good luck Jennie! dexterdog (without cabbages! )

[JennieAtkinson]

Yep Dexter - definately the answer. The broccoli is picking up already, so perhaps not all is lost.

PS Spent some time chasing what I thought was a cabbage white butterfly but think it was actualy a month!

[roitelet]

I have wondered if CD's might help (not for my dance but to scare the butterfly's). Someone recommended hanging old CD's on string and the reflection will scare them away. Has anyone else tried something like this?

I hung old CDs upto deter the pigeons and it does seem to have deterred the cabbage whites to some extent. Still going on the caterpillar hunt on a regular basis but so far the catch has been minimal

[dexterdoglancashire]

For my remaining brussels and broccoli Im still trying the "running around waving my hands in the air, shouting loudly! method - not sure if its working - especially with all the rain we are having! dexterdog