BC Living
Recipe: B.C. Beef and Potatoes
You’ve Gotta Try This in February 2025
Recipe: How to Make Pie Crust from Scratch
Attention, Runners: Here are 19 Road Races Happening in B.C. in Spring 2025
Nature’s Pharmacy: 8 Herbal Boutiques in BC
How Barre Enhances Your Flexibility
Inviting the Steller’s Jay to Your Garden
6 Budget-friendly Holiday Decor Pieces
Dream Home: $8 Million for a Modern Surprise
Local Getaway: Hideaway at a Mystical Earth House in Kootenay
9 BC Wellness Hotels to Relax and Recharge in This Year
Local Getaway: Enjoy Waterfront Views at a Ucluelet Beach House
B.C. Adventures: Things to Do in February
5 Beautiful and Educational Nature and Wildlife Tours in BC
7 Beauty and Wellness Influencers to Follow in BC
11 Gifts for Galentine’s Day from B.C. Companies
14 Cute Valentine’s Day Gifts to Give in 2025
8 Gifts to Give for Lunar New Year 2025
Use a non-toxic pesticide to get rid of pesky caterpillars and moth larvae
A common problem in the summer garden is the presence of pesky caterpillars and moth larvae, such as leaf rollers, cabbage loopers and tent caterpillars. Nothing is more disappointing than cutting into your fresh head of cabbage to find it destroyed by caterpillars, or having your young corn plants munched by loopers. To remedy the problem, consider an organic caterpillar pesticide that is not toxic to humans, plants or animals. In fact, it is safe enough to be applied right up until the day before harvest.
The product is Bacillus thuringiensis or BT, an effective biological control against all caterpillars. During spore production, BT produces crystals on the plant that act as a poison on the insect eating the treated plant, paralyzing the pest and killing it.
BT is sold as a liquid concentrate, which is then mixed with water and sprayed onto infected plants. This product is not caterpillar specific and will harm all caterpillars if it is digested, so it is important not to over-spray; apply it only around caterpillars you have determined to be pests. If possible, try to handpick any caterpillars from your garden or fruit trees. However, as any gardener knows, caterpillars do sometimes get out of hand and you may need to turn to a product such as BT.
Fortunately, BT is reasonably priced, safe, easy to use and can be found at any garden centre. Be sure to follow directions and apply only to infected areas. Loopers are olive-green caterpillars up to 3 cm (1.2 in.) long. They are a common problem for cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, radish, corn and turnips. They arrive in your garden via white or pale-yellow butterflies, which lay eggs that later develop into caterpillars.