Week 5 in flower. I caught 3 small caterpillars and one orange worm in 1week.
How to get rid of them?
Do NOT use Neem oil. It will ruin your flower.
I recommend alternating between 2 products: “Safer Caterpillar Killer” which contains BtK (bacillus thurengiensis) and “Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew” which uses a different bacterium called spinosad. I would start with the first product, wait 5 days then spray the other product. This will attack most everything on the plant. Make sure to soak your flower as caterpillars burrow into the colas and produce bud rot.
Plan on doing a peroxide bud wash at harvest. The two products are safe for animals and people FYI.
I have had the same problem for the last few seasons. I grow outdoors in SoCal. Today while trimming I saw a couple of brown buds, I found some worms. I sprayed the plant with Bug Blaster but not sure if that will work. I will look for those recommended products . Thanks
I use Dipel DF for my outdoor veggies, works a treat!
Dipel DF is a dry flowable biological insecticide containing live spores and endotoxin of a naturally occurring bacterium for the control of caterpillars (Lepidopteran larvae) and moths.
This insecticide is suitable for use on hydroponic vegetables, soft fruits and ornamental plants.
Dipel DF is highly effective against Lightbrown Apple Moth, Cabbage White Butterfly,
helicoverpa, Looper, Vine moth and a wide range of caterpillars. It will also not harm beneficial insects and mite predators and leaves no harmful crop residues.
Active Constituent:
32000 International Units: Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, Stain ABTS-351, fermentation solids and solubles.
Recommended Dosage: 0.25 - 1 g/L (Use spray within 12 hours of mixing).
Directions for use:
Apply as soon as the first larvae are seen, preferably during active feeding and repeat the application at intervals of 7 to 10 days until the end of the hatching period. Repeat application if heavy rain falls shortly after application, before the larvae have has the opportunity to ingest the product.
Spray the mixture on dry vegetation and do not apply if rain is expected within 12 hours of application.
Apply Dipel DF between 1 and 2 times per caterpillar generation at the recommended dosage.
Welcome to the forum @Timob
