BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS BT

doneal wrote:Have any of you used BT? Or what are your recommendations to keep out cutworms and other destructive pest? I really don’t want to use pesticides in my garden.

Pollinator wrote:
The good thing about Bt, is that it is safe for bees and most other beneficial insects. Many of the "organic" pesticides are still dangerous to bees. DE, for example, will kill bees, so be sure not to use it on anything that is in bloom.

GloriaG wrote:Windmere, 

Personally, I would go with the Safer Caterpillar Killer (not the soap) or the Southern AG Thuricide HPC.  Follow the mixing directions carefully and make sure to add a "spreader-sticker" to the sprayer.  I use a few drops of baby shampoo - it's better than dishsoap.

Hope this helps.
Gloria

C_TX_2 wrote:I use BT because it is supposed to be only harmful to caterpillar type pests. It will not harm bees, lady bugs, pill bugs, grasshoppers or anything else.

I have some DE but I would never use it in the garden. From what I know it will not harm people or animals only insects. The real problem is that it will harm all insects. It is great for places like garages, under sinks behind refrigerators because as long as it doesn't get wet it will remain effective and kill all insects. I just don't want something like that in my garden; I try to use things that are more specific at killing only the pests that are a problem right now.

Over the years my garden has attracts lots on toads and lizards. I like that as it is more natural and why I don't want to destroy all bugs entering my garden.

AtlantaMarie wrote:Windmere, I use Dr. B's in my vinegar/salt grass/weed killer.  Works fine!

Turan wrote:Just a reminder that catipillars are an important part of the ecosystem feeding a lot of birds especially.  Some of them turn into wonderful butterflys as well. 

Not that I am pleading for mercy for cabbage moths though maybe a bit for humming bird moths and swallowtail butterflys.  

H_TX_2 wrote:

Turan wrote:Just a reminder that catipillars are an important part of the ecosystem feeding a lot of birds especially.  Some of them turn into wonderful butterflys as well. 

Not that I am pleading for mercy for cabbage moths though maybe a bit for humming bird moths and swallowtail butterflys.  

I thought butterflies are more specific to the type of plant they lay their eggs on and if you don't have that type of plant you don't have t worry about the caterpillar being a butterfly. It seems the bad guys are more accepting in their types of plants they will lay eggs on; not all but in general.

The few times I have looked up butterfly caterpillars they usually seem to be more colorful and pretty compared to the pest caterpillars which are more plain greens and browns. If it is in my garden and it isn't pretty it is dead. I tend to get the same looking caterpillars again and again.

AvaDGardner wrote:I've not use BT.

My first line of defense is to avoid the fliers that lay the eggs. Floating row covers come to mind. Eggs take 3-5 days to hatch. Seek and destroy egg masses!

Unless you are working on your garden, as I am. My current problem is the green cabbage worm, and I use plastic tabs to ward off the moth (see my thread for pics & info). It lands on more than cole crops! So far, it's working great.

My go-to product is DE (diatamaceous earth), which is ground up fossils. It's organic, and natural, and too gritty for almost anything to want to be on it. Roly-Polys, sow bugs, grub larvae (cutworm, armyworm & more), etc. They don't like it at all!

Of course, you'll make extra sure you wash that berry before you pop it in your mouth!

Ava

AtlantaMarie wrote:Interesting, Windmere.  I hadn't heard about that...

I do know that salt will eventually kill the vegetation permanently.  NOTHING will be able to grow there.  That's why I'm just using it on the fence lines and a very narrow band around the beds.  Supposedly the soap helps the salt & vinegar to hold onto the leaves, etc.

Last year I sacrificed all of my parsley to caterpillar moths.  I believe they were yellow swallowtails.  But one day they all disappeared.  Afraid they turned into someone's breakfast...