Caterpillar emergency!!

[Likac66]

I have just found one Brussels sprout plant covered in big fat hairy caterpillars. They have obviously had a good meal on this one plant but are now spreading to the nearest other brassicas around it. I have picked off as many as I can but was wondering if there was something I can spray to get rid of any babies and more to come. They are netted but I guess a rogue butterfly got through.

[KevinM67]

I have just found one Brussels sprout plant covered in big fat hairy caterpillars. They have obviously had a good meal on this one plant but are now spreading to the nearest other brassicas around it. I have picked off as many as I can but was wondering if there was something I can spray to get rid of any babies and more to come. They are netted but I guess a rogue butterfly got through.

Keep the ones that become purple butterflies - they'll add to the 'theme' of your plot

Sorry, can't really help you with this - I don't really like to spray anything, I also get my kids to pick them off (I'm a bit squeamish with things like that)

[Likac66]

I wondered if something like soapy water might help - like with aphids?

[rustylady]

Nope, doesn't touch caterpillars. Get your marigolds on and pick them off. Drop them into a bucket or jar of heavily salted water.

By the way, how are they spreading? Are the plants touching each other? If not then it's a separate hatching on each plant.

[Likac66]

The leaves are touching each other but it might be more than one hatching. There is one plant that seems heavily eaten though and the other plants are next to it.

I have found a possible natural solution - a bit like nematodes for slugs.

Bio 'BT' Caterpillar Killer 8 Sachet Pack - Garden Vegetable Pest Control | eBay

But I will have to go to the plot each night to hand pick any more in the meantime and I will use the spray if I have another outbreak.

[veggiechicken]

If its only on one plant, I'd remove it completely - then you don't need to spray!