Old cabbage worm poop? Or new?

jrdillon130 7/30/2013, 8:42 pm

3 weeks ago, I battled cabbage worms; tried soapy water for a while to no avail. I broke down and ended up buying "Worry-Free" dust and it seemed to nix the problem. Today I was inspecting my cabbage and noticed that when i pulled the outer leaves back a bit, there was a cabbage worm poop collection down in the bottom. Looked like normal cabbage poop...but I haven't seen anymore damage, worms, or eggs? Is this new poop or could it be old poop? I didn't have time to take a picture, as I was about to leave for work. I don't want to use the Worry-Free dust anymore than needed, as I don't want to kill any bees or other beneficial insects. Thanks!

And I am glad I joined as a member on this site; very helpful and informative!

**camprn** 7/30/2013, 9:08 pm

Hand picking and covering the brassicas with an insect net like tulle are the most reliable and least impact to the environment and pollinators... you could also try Bt. Use the search feature to find threads about Bt, or check online.
There are several generations of cabbage worm moths each growing season.

jrdillon130 7/30/2013, 9:14 pm

So I take it I've still got them? UGH.

**camprn** 7/30/2013, 9:34 pm

jrdillon130 wrote:So I take it I've still got them? UGH.

They come and go. There are a lot of back threads to read about them and how to protect your garden.

southern gardener 7/31/2013, 1:47 am

jrdillon130 wrote:3 weeks ago, I battled cabbage worms; tried soapy water for a while to no avail. I broke down and ended up buying "Worry-Free" dust and it seemed to nix the problem. Today I was inspecting my cabbage and noticed that when i pulled the outer leaves back a bit, there was a cabbage worm poop collection down in the bottom. Looked like normal cabbage poop...but I haven't seen anymore damage, worms, or eggs? Is this new poop or could it be old poop? I didn't have time to take a picture, as I was about to leave for work. I don't want to use the Worry-Free dust anymore than needed, as I don't want to kill any bees or other beneficial insects. Thanks!

And I am glad I joined as a member on this site; very helpful and informative!

I'd say if it's green and soft, it's probably "new". If it's hard and black it MIGHT be old. check your leaves front and back, and particularly above where you discovered the poop...poop falls down. Hope you find the critter(s) or it was old. We had good luck with the BT spray.

jrdillon130 7/31/2013, 1:55 am

southern gardener wrote:
jrdillon130 wrote:3 weeks ago, I battled cabbage worms; tried soapy water for a while to no avail. I broke down and ended up buying "Worry-Free" dust and it seemed to nix the problem. Today I was inspecting my cabbage and noticed that when i pulled the outer leaves back a bit, there was a cabbage worm poop collection down in the bottom. Looked like normal cabbage poop...but I haven't seen anymore damage, worms, or eggs? Is this new poop or could it be old poop? I didn't have time to take a picture, as I was about to leave for work. I don't want to use the Worry-Free dust anymore than needed, as I don't want to kill any bees or other beneficial insects. Thanks!

And I am glad I joined as a member on this site; very helpful and informative!

I'd say if it's green and soft, it's probably "new". If it's hard and black it MIGHT be old. check your leaves front and back, and particularly above where you discovered the poop...poop falls down. Hope you find the critter(s) or it was old. We had good luck with the BT spray.

Thanks for the info! I've never heard of BT spray, but it sounds like a better alternative to what I've been using!

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Old cabbage worm poop? Or new?

Old cabbage worm poop? Or new?

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Re: Old cabbage worm poop? Or new?

Re: Old cabbage worm poop? Or new?

Re: Old cabbage worm poop? Or new?

Re: Old cabbage worm poop? Or new?

Re: Old cabbage worm poop? Or new?


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