Cabbage rootfly - what will they lay on?

[Cutecumber]

My collars against rootfly have, yet again, not been 100% successful. I have used proprietary ones and some made out of thin "funky foam". I suspect the collars are not big enough and are not holding down against the soil very well.

Does anyone know whether it is the case that, faced with a collar, the flies lay anyway but the eggs dry out... or that they don't lay at all because it is not the soil?

I have some strulch (mineralised straw mulch) and wondered if they would lay on this if put around the brassicas in a full mulch, and if so, would the eggs survive?

Any thoughts?

[Snadger]

I made collars for mine and a few still succumbed! I think the only foolproof way is to cover with enviromesh or fleece but this can be quite costly!

I'm surprised that no enterprising soul hasn't brought out little enviromesh single plant cloches? Once the plants are established they seem to be able to ward off any infestation and the 'cloches' could be removed!

[Cutecumber]

I know what you mean, Snadger - why are there no mini-greenhouses made of mesh, or at least with interchangeable mesh/ glass panels? I guess that Enviromesh is still quite costly - if the price comes down we can look forward to a rash of more interesting products, I hope.