caterpillars, if it's not one thing it's another!

[sherpa]

I'm so sad First the slugs destroyed by brussel sprout seedlings and purple sprouting broccoli leaving with just one of each left. I was on slug patrol, not one was getting away! Beer, pellets I thought I had it sorted. then this morning went out to let the chickens out and looked at my plants they look very stripped, very high up that can't be slug... no lots and lots of black caterpillars and one big green guy, squished some, threw some , took some destroyed leaves off and gave to my chickens. What do I do, I really don't want to loose my only plants!! Sneaky buggers

[FionaH]

Are your plants netted? Having lost all my kale to caterpillers I have found neeting is the only way to keep the bugs off

[sherpa]

No they are not netted. My garden is very open, it's a field more like!! I had lots of broccoli last year but this year the insects are out with vengeance.

[zazen999]

They will be, as it is food you are growing.

[ann-the-nan]

caterpillars, if it's not one thing, it's another!

Definitely net it! I use enviromesh and it's been so long since I saw a catty, I have almost forgotten what they look like.

[sherpa]

Is it too late now? or would it serve a purpose this far along? Def on the list for next year.

[sherpa]

I have deris liquid for the moment, do you think this will do the job?

[Two_Sheds]

Derris kills bees
(or does it? Retailers say it's almost non-toxic to bees)

take care with it... you've got until 10th October ! Royal Horticultural Society - Gardening Advice: Raspberry Beetle

[Pies]

NET,get every egg and catipillar of now,not tomorrow now,get a fine net up ASAP mesh size needs to be below 10mm.Keep an eye on the plants for any eggs you missed

HTH

[Sonata]

*sniff* they scoffed my Real Seeds kale, komatsuna,chinese cabbage, pak choi and blinking roses.

I've been collecting them and feeding them to the spiders. Are they still laying at this time of the year?

It's unfair, isn't it? You just think you've got on top of the slug problem, and the blinking catties turn up.

[ann-the-nan]

caterpillars, if it's not one thing, it's another!

Agree with Pies. mine is said to be 6mm., but it looks smaller.

[Incy]

My brassicas have been ok as they are netted but the bloomin things are all over my chillies in the greenhouse. Keep squishing them and as soon as I do another 100 or so arrive
I've never had this problem in the greenhouse before at this rate I'll have to net the whole garden!