6 Organic Ways to Prevent and Kill Cabbage Worms

[@GrandmaMaeCorporation]

I am privileged to know the scientist that invented BT ( Professor Thornley at USU) he said they use it on ears of corn when the hairs come out to stop corn worms. It’s good on potatoes, anything that eats veggies, I stopped him at the Bank one day to congratulate him on making the world a better place, . He’s gone now, I’m glad I took the opportunity to acknowledge him, he lite up like a Christmas tree.

[@klomax7089]

Perfect timing for this video, thank you! Those bugs and worms are sooooooo disrespectful. 😡 I will be trying BT for sure 👍🏽

[@GutenGardening]

Those cabbage worm set us back severely this Fall! No mercy for them. You are right, they are the master of camouflage. Great tips! We will be ready for them next season. Thanks for sharing. p.s. They seem to also like our purple Kale...

[@mattw4547]

Years ago I considered a 410 shotgun to get the adults but my sensible wife talked me out of it.....

[@wolco003]

I have considered one of those salt guns that work for flies!

[@lynnwood2076]

@@wolco003 great Christmas gift!

[@wolco003]

@@lynnwood2076 Totally! I bought a butterfly net for a 1/4 of the price.

[@shortermama8099]

😂😂😂

[@shortermama8099]

Wise wife!

[@gratefulketo2211]

Back in the old days...we used to cover the cabbages and cauliflowers with panty hose! Strange but it worked!

[@laureenhebert490]

can you pls explain more pls because I know my parents did but I am not sure when to put it on the plant

[@gabbygertie8709]

I have 12 cabbage plants, and 12 brussel sprouts plants. I picked 121 cabbage worms off my plants today. And I've been using Neem oil! It's war now! BT it is!

[@cfoster6804]

Neem oil does not work on them.

[@HealingMyselfIsTheFocus]

Im an avid neem oil/castile soap/essential oil person myself. IT. IS. NOT. WORKING this year. I've heard of BT and have drug my feet to try it. Did you find it worked better than neem oil?

[@resourcefulgirl]

I'm so new to this and new to country living. I'm at war with weeds, cabbage worms, and the deer that destroyed my entire orchard in one night. I have no words except that I will win in the end lol.

[@Falafelzebub]

I had success using nasturtiums as companion plants. They don't work as a deterrent, but as a sacrificial crop, because cabbage butterflies seem to prefer them. Also, if you aren't growing a huge crop, just rubbing out the eggs with your thumb before they hatch is much easier than picking off the worms.

[@pwu8194]

The worm is about the size of a hair, I imagine the eggs might be even smaller. Rubbing eggs off isn't an easy task.

[@saiorsecaldwell6221]

​​​@@pwu8194ey are definitely not the size of a hair. Very easy to see if you have decent eyesight or magnifying glass. One of the methods mentioned is even "picking" the worms.

[@nellanddudley]

I've been using BT since I planted my first garden in 1980. It works! Love the idea of foliar feeding at the same time!

[@davinasquirrel7672]

If desperate enough, that moth/butterfly will lay on the purple leafed brassicas. Not fool proof! With netting, I found it had to be kept away (ie on a frame) from the leaves. Those determined little critters will find a leaf touching the netting, and squirt their payload through the hole. I have no idea why I have so many of the cabbage butterfly here, I am surrounded by grazing paddocks. This is my worst pest in the garden.

[@RoyHolder]

I had red cabbages, butterflies didn't care, still ate them.. Fine bird netting helps..

[@laurieanne9712]

Very helpful! Here all these years, I didn't know I could combine the foliar feed with the Bt. Thank You!

[@austenhead5303]

I wish I could just have a big bottle of BT on hand to pour into a sprayer. My idiot country (Sweden) sells BT only in little 30 gram packs for, like, 30 USD. Wtf, Sweden?

[@jojackson9129]

I live beside a nature preserve so have a serious critter problem as well. I've put my raised beds in 1/2" hardware cloth cages with removable tops and use drip tube sliced lengthwise to protect the edges from snagging me. So far that seems to also keep out the cabbage pests too. I have a couple of big wolf spiders too, and use a cloth to knock those white butterflies down so I can grab them and toss them into the spider webs. THAT's quite the show: spiders race out, discard the wings and wrap them up tight, and then repair the holes in the webs, ready for the next one! It's SO satisfying!

[@alysonbaker939]

Thumbs up to BT. I learned, from Brian, about BT last summer and used it on all my cabbage, beets, lettuces, kale, and other places where I’ve found cabbage loopers in the past. BT worked like a charm. I didn’t have near the damage and was able to grow cabbage to harvest. I grew red cabbage but never noticed whether it had been chewed. I just went down the row. I didn’t realize I could be fertilizing at the same time. Yea!! That will simplify spraying next summer. Thank you again for a great vid.

[@sandielefant8258]

Oh wow! Game changer! Thank you!! I've searched every leaf and cannot find the darn worms. I'm going to the nursery now! Thanks!!

[@laurenkromminga3043]

I thought the little white butterflies were a sign my garden was healthy and thriving.😢

[@hollyreilly4818]

Thank you. Now I can identify the moth. BTW, you can use BT in a pond for mosquito control. Its toxic to the larvae. Thats what is in those mosquito dunks that you can buy at Home Depot.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Good to know. Thanks!

[@nanarose3496]

Holly, great to know. I have two small fountains and use those mosquito dunks. (I originally thought I had tadpoles in the fountain until I realized it was mosquito larvae)🤣🤣🤣

[@hyacinthABC]

Thanks - those dunks are expensive!

[@jasonclayton936]

@@NextLevelGardening I have a question will bt wash off in the rain every time I spray bt not long after I spray bt on my plants the rain comes I have sprayed my plants 3 times so far.

[@peterturner1582]

I find if I leave the caterpillar squashed bodies on the plant the butterfly will not relay eggs on that plant. They either smell or see the dead ones and they seem to feel it is unsafe to lay more eggs there. I've been doing it for the past 2 years and have had very few problems. I can then keep on top of the worms without any sprays.

[@kevinbossick8374]

I inspect, and hand pick them a few times a week. They will destroy your plants if you don't.

[@biaberg3448]

Great tips, but one shall never import vasps, other bugs or bacterias if it’s not already a natural part of ones environment. That is strictly forbidden in many countries.

[@PaulWalker-zk2dd]

Brian, I enjoy and benefit from your weekly videos. Hoping with your help that next year will be better than last. Just an interesting footnote, the brassica family is quite a large family of plants and weeds, but many people do not realize that the vegetables we grow in the brassica family are mostly all just one plant, bred for different dominant traits. Probably developed by the monks in the Middle Ages, who didn't have much else to do except gardening. I learned this interesting fact in college biology, it can also be looked up on Wikipedia. BTW, I grew red cabbage, and did notice a few holes in some, but I will be proactive next year. Brassica oleracea: kale, cabbage, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, kai-lan, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi

[@kathleenthomas3275]

What a great idea to add liquid fertilizer to the BT! Thank you!

[@hyacinthABC]

Home Depot and Lowe's usually carry it labelled as Thuricide - dilute as directed but use it fairly quickly - dilution doesn't keep.

[@L.J.01]

So strange - I planted red cabbage this year along with green and to my surprise the red cabbage has had far more damage from white moths/worms than the green cabbage right next to them! And the green worms are just as hard to find.

[@TheLeahsKitchen]

I've used tobacco spray for years and it is very effective if you start spraying the minute you see the signs.

[@pamelamanns9384]

Hi what is Tobacco spray ?

[@TheLeahsKitchen]

@@pamelamanns9384 Open up cigarettes - old or new, place them is warm (slightly hot) water and leave for a few days. Strain and spray.

[@cfoster6804]

There are so many other chemicals in most commercial cigarettes. You need to find pure untreated tobacco. It will probably affect the taste of the plants though. 🤮

[@jimmcdowell9017]

Great info! I always grow more than I need, but I can’t bring myself to offer a cabbage to neighbors that has been gnawed on. White butterflies are BAD news.

[@kingjohndavidsr9720]

Awesome Info! Thanks Man. All I ever heard about was to use neem oil but this gives me options👍🏾

[@LL-oc1xw]

Although I thought earwigs were making swiss cheese of my bok choy - I now am considering the simple cabbage worm as well! Thank you for this. I'll probably go with row covers or other netting on my containers.

[@deannadelabretonne5044]

I had no idea I could spray for pests with BT and use fertilizer all at the same time! So good to know! Thanks!

[@klattin1501]

Thank you so much, you continue to teach me things i wish I'd known 40 years ago. My grandkids LOVE to run around with their butterfly nets to catch butterflies. I've taught them the only butterfly they cannot catch and release are those pesky white ones. They thus catch and dispose of those. But i still have the evidence of worms. You've given me even better ammunition to battle cabbage worms!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you

[@wolco003]

Im getting a butterfly net...I will look less crazy chasing these little bastards!

[@4GospelsNetwork]

I have a Question. I got the BT mentioned in the video. I sprayed my cabbage and brocolli completely. I noticed that a lot of it was beading up and runnung off the plants. Is this normal? Or am i missing something that helps it stick to the plants?

[@ewaslowakiewicz7215]

I use wood ash, sprinkle abundantly on the plants and repeat after rain.

[@andiincali.4663]

So there's a practical purpose for planting purple! Yes! I do because It's my favorite color, but that's what I'll tell people if they ask.

[@donald1191]

love seeing the process. I wonder sometimes if I'm doing it correctly and seeing this gave me the reassurance I need

[@DevorahHelig]

Dipel is a trade name for the BT product you recommend. It works great on tomato horn worm too

[@resourcefulgirl]

Thanks so much. The worms destroyed everything. This is my first year growing food. I just sat down and wrote a list of what I learned, both what works and what needs to change. I love cabbage and next year I'll be far more diligent. One morning everything was destroyed. Just subscribed and looking forward to more organic tricks and tips :)

[@dhahabu9219]

Every time I look at my kale I am depressed... two have been eaten away completely. One is surviving but only just ... today found two worms and took them off manually. I am now going to get this BT product. Thanks a lot for tips. By the way I love your T-shirt! Once I get BT my 'matatas' will be over. I will be able to say "Hakuna Matata." :-)

[@DavidJA80]

What about using lemon? The high ph would keep all small bugs away? Also , Can you do a video about plants that work together?

[@wiseherb1426]

I know when I see that Lion King tee I’m about to get the ultimate in garden content👏👏love your channel!

[@GrandmaMaeCorporation]

I am privileged to know the scientist that invented BT ( Professor Thornley at USU) he said they use it on ears of corn when the hairs come out to stop corn worms. It’s good on potatoes, anything that eats veggies, I stopped him at the Bank one day to congratulate him on making the world a better place, . He’s gone now, I’m glad I took the opportunity to acknowledge him, he lite up like a Christmas tree.

[@sparklefrosting2430]

Doesn’t BT hurt pollinators? Then how do my flowers get pollinated on cucumbers for instance?

[@Share_the_laughter]

Camomile plants the white butterflies won’t go on it , I’ve seen them land on marigolds

[@gabbykb2343]

They demolished my baby arugula plants in like less than a day.. been picking them off but those suckers keep appearing!!!!!!!

[@outdooorsman]

directions say 4 tabelspoon per gallon and why both sides of the plnt if the eat all the way through lol it kills by ingestion:) i just read the directions

[@adadirect]

What is the model of the sprayer that you use? I didn't want to get a super expensive sprayer but am afraid the cheap ones would break really quickly

[@gabbykb2343]

Had some arugula under attack and tried the cornmeal method.... From all appearances it seems to have done the trick. Thanks alot!!

[@MattOwens]

I think I'm seeing some wasps carrying off the adult worms. The black ants are carrying them off too.

[@amapola1163]

Worms ? Caterpillars surely ?

[@blackantaned]

Hi is Bacillus Thuringiensis permitted to use in the U K by Amateur Gardeners

[@Freedom_84]

i came here to find out how to prevent the green little worms on my RED cabbage. in other words, this guy is wrong about the butterfly not laying eggs on red cabbage

[@kimiyemlsmallgardendream8115]

I just got my BT going to spray tomorrow. That’s why my purple cabbage is untouched 🥬great video❤️❤️❤️

[@Tlu2000]

Hello, I am a new gardener, can you come over and help me hook my irrigation system please. Thank you.

[@gardenhome3930]

I am having wire worms in my garden which are spoiling my radishes and new seedlings. Can u please suggest any remedy

[@ea313712]

Will the BT liquid also work on my strawberry leaves which also seem to have those similar round holes in the leaves ?

[@mamasolilytarotbeyond8248]

thanks for those tips. my quote is grow two trees with one seed.

[@KingzMommy]

Thanks for the reminder 😎 it’s been raining on and off here in DE for the last couple weeks. We’ve finally got a clear week so I went out and sprayed my BT on all my brassicas. Hand picking gets tiring 😪

[@heesoolee8357]

Do they eat basil, lettuces and mint? They seem similar to cabbage worms... 😢

[@hawaiidoves]

i searched for the caterpillars, but couldn't find any. Do the worms come out at night and feed?

[@PaullaWells]

You have mentioned this BT before so I am now curious as to what kinds of pests does this work for besides the cabbage worms. Also, thought you might like to know my broccoli and cauliflower are still doing very well. I'll do a garden update later today. And the herbs and lettuce I planted in the greenhouse have been thriving too!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thats great! BT works on any leaf eating catapillar type worm.

[@PaullaWells]

@@NextLevelGardening - That's terrific! How about squash bugs? I had those at the end of the season this year and I am afraid they will be back again next year.

[@lauriesmith7517]

@@PaullaWells, use neem oil, insecticidal soap, or diatomaceous earth for squash bugs.

[@PaullaWells]

@@lauriesmith7517 - Thank you!

[@andrews7491]

I had these a few months ago and used D.E. and it worked pretty well, I think. Do the cabbage worms glow like tomato hornworms do under blacklight? Hunting hornworms was honestly the most fun I had in my garden all summer. I didn't think to check cabbage worms which popped up a few months after.

[@VillageCakeLady]

I’d be curious to know if you have tried that yet??

[@charlesperkinsjr2]

I tried and couldn't see any

[@davidduca8421]

I've got thyme and when it flowers the cabbage moths are all over it .

[@RedScareClair]

Thanks for this. I had 1 cabbage that actually made it to my bed last year and it got murdered.

[@btbd2785]

they damage tomatoes as.well correct? so it's safe on tomatoes cabbage pepper plants etc??

[@Pannakoppala]

*_Not true about red cabbage :-( I came here because my red cabbage has the cabbage worms :-(_*

[@lynnwood2076]

I’m relatively new to gardening. How long do you leave the floating row covers on after planting?

[@NextLevelGardening]

The worms are a threat all the way to harvest. So basically the whole time.

[@lyndabuchholz1216]

I noticed the cabbage worms didn't do the red cabbage. Now I get it.

[@Hannah-ei3ji]

this is great info .... but they called caterpillars!

[@eilatk2706]

sorry, but they attack red cabbages also and esp., love the savoy cabbages

[@deborahrobinson9721]

I planted red cabbage and the cabbage worms totally destroyed them.

[@debbiegordon7684]

Thanks, perfect timing....was just looking at the holes springing up

[@tinaclick5952]

This is great! Thank you. This helps me plan my spring garden a bit better!

[@SpiceyKy]

Yes Sir. I definitely enjoyed the video. Can't wait to see you next weekend! Great info... as usual. 💘

[@denisemiller8474]

They attack my petunia flowers

[@swflorida]

does BT work against pickleworms?

[@rashadakhalil2464]

How the eggs go on the bottom of the leaf when butterflies lays them on the top ?

[@summerfoley2481]

I'm not growing brassicas yet but got info to know for when I try them.

[@stevealcorn7599]

Thanks Brother. Love your stuff. You get right to the point with your content.

[@wkingsley7522]

Do you think marigolds would work like tyme you recommended in this video? Thanks

[@trishdavi7049]

Yes marigolds work better than nasturtiums as repellant

[@marysmith9083]

How do you apply cornmeal?

[@sudhac1384]

Great tips!! Will neem oil work against cabbage worms?

[@LoveNIsrael]

The eggs shown in 1:47 are stink bugs not cabbage worms.

[@lindapooh1970]

Wow! THANKYOU so much. Perfect timing. I'm so frustrated with these damn things!

[@NextLevelGardening]

You're welcome

[@Trakehner20]

Dang! I would've never thought of the purple plants deterring the worms! You're amazing! I didn't think they would care or think about it.

[@karenlatham4053]

I finally ordered some BT off Amazon. I couldn't find it in any local stores.

[@hyacinthABC]

HD and Lowe's usually sell it under brand name Thuricide. Dilute as directed but use dilution within a day or so - it doesn't keep.

[@joerodriguez4366]

Can u add neem oil with it to spray all?

[@IntegratedPestManagement]

Imported Cabbageworms are nasty buggers. I'm wondering how many I've consumed this year in my kale salads since they are so camouflaged. Oh my. Love the videos keep them coming.

[@gingernightmare9152]

BT didn't work and it was so expensive.

[@tompatchak8706]

I have one cabbage plant. Bought it in a whim, and say the holes right away. I then found 8 worms on that one plant! I flicked them off, but I’m sure there are more. Ima plants some sacrificial plants to try to save it. But if it doesn’t, I’m ok with it

[@brucebuell7528]

What do you do with the devastated leaves?

[@vclocals5536]

I've been leaving some after removing any eggs. I feel like the stem alone helps keep the structure of the plant more stable

[@annsanimationaddiction8024]

I have around 14 different brassicas growing rn. I have 2 inedible cabbages (on accident). They seem to really just go after the purple inedible cabbage.

[@mhath5881]

I have about 8 heads of purple cabbage growing, thinking that those stupid worms will ignore them...nope, nadda, had to toss 3 already, fighting to save 4 of them and 1 is on the verge of being torched. Time to get BT and not believe the whole purple cabbage is safe.

[@MariaPerez-ke8cx]

Thank you so very much!!!

[@luckyliger88]

Alln6 if my cabbage plays are completely ruined. Should I pull them up or can I save them? Thank you!

[@brianl.6028]

Good day, what do you recommend to use to kill mealy bugs? My tomates were looking great then BOOM, surprise.

[@lidip8700]

I started my fall crop of cabbage in my grow room in July & now its time to harden the off & get them planted in the outdoor garden.. . But man they're so perfect, I really hate to expose them to the insects! However, with BT in hand, I'm ready for those critters!!

[@christinej2358]

I sure wished I’d seen this video when I planted my cabbage. My entire crop have been eaten up by the cabbage worms. I had no idea the little white butterfly was my garden enemy. I thought they were pollinators. Now, I know!!! Next year will be different. I have been able to harvest and salvage a few heads, but boy, them worms are relentless. Thank you for sharing your garden knowledge!

[@shangcvs38]

I am a Kidney Transplant Patient so any Chemicals are out. What is the best time to look for them, and what else can I do, HELP.

[@michaelmorgan5714]

I'm going to assume you're referring to BTi , and not BTh . I'm very careful where I use even these type controls including spinosad because my wife raises Monarchs and even though they don't eat cabbages the butterflies are attracted to the flowers. So I'll pollinate the female flowers on there first day opening with a male flower. twist tie the blossom closed and keep the male flowers mostly cut off. That and inject and spray the base with spinosade . That's a little more trouble but It keeps her happy and I'm to old to be doing the vegetable garden by myself. Thanks for confirming many of the same things I've been doing for over 40 years and giving me some interesting alternatives. I have a question wile I'm thinking about bugs, My first wife's uncle Used to collect any bugs that were bothering his truck garden then dry them out crush them add a fare amount of skim milk and let this ferment for maybe 10 days, run it through a screen and mix it with about 10 gallons of water and spray those affected plants. This seemed to work pretty darn well. This was over 35 years ago and I'm sure he's not around any more to ask. Do you have any idea what he was making?????

[@lorim4321]

Thank you for sharing! I have two dogs. Do you know if this is safe to use if I have my pets around? They love poking their noses in the plants and sometimes like eating the dirt 🤢

[@NextLevelGardening]

Totally safe for anything other than leaf eating cattapillars

[@lorim4321]

@@NextLevelGardening Thank you!!!

[@mmercier0921]

I have badminton rackets everywhere for those white butterflies. I also put bowls of beer for the slugs. I need an organic spray that won't kill my good bugs.

[@michaelleewagaman301]

not true, I got them on my red cabbages.

[@Heal2Inspire]

Slugs? My poor red cabbages are a full of holes :( I put down bark chips in between my beds, but is bark better or would you recommend small stones like gravel? The slugs seem to hide under the bark?! hello from NZ