Kale, Cabbage Critters

pdxwindjammer · August 1, 2012

Cabbage moth worms and grey aphids are wreaking havoc on my kale! I have tried spraying with a mixture of garlic, dish soap and a few drops of oil in water but still invaded.

What is the best organic remedy to keep these pests away? I have my winter garden starts pushing up right now and want to be able to protect them.

RayR · August 1, 2012

BT is a sure killer for the cabbage worms.
I've never seen gray aphids or any aphids on Kale here, but blasting the Aphids off the plants with the hose, also Insecticidal Soap or Diatomaceous Earth or a Pyrethrin based insecticide are a few solutions.

lakelady · August 1, 2012

I've sprayed BT or Spinosad on the kale, and then sprinkled diatomaceous earth afterwards to keep aphids/slugs off as well.

tjg911 · August 1, 2012

as stated BT works on the cabbage moth cats.

aphids should die from insecticidal soap but i just spray them with the hose to knock them off the plants. once off they seldom get back on. lady bugs will lay eggs on the kale so the larvae can eat the aphids. don't kill them!

https://www.google.com/search?q=lady...w=1183&bih=692

tom

August 1, 2012	#1
pdxwindjammer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 625	Kale, Cabbage Critters Cabbage moth worms and grey aphids are wreaking havoc on my kale! I have tried spraying with a mixture of garlic, dish soap and a few drops of oil in water but still invaded. What is the best organic remedy to keep these pests away? I have my winter garden starts pushing up right now and want to be able to protect them.

August 1, 2012	#3
lakelady Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: northern NJ zone 6b Posts: 1,862	I've sprayed BT or Spinosad on the kale, and then sprinkled diatomaceous earth afterwards to keep aphids/slugs off as well. __________________ Antoniette

August 1, 2012	#4
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	as stated BT works on the cabbage moth cats. aphids should die from insecticidal soap but i just spray them with the hose to knock them off the plants. once off they seldom get back on. lady bugs will lay eggs on the kale so the larvae can eat the aphids. don't kill them! https://www.google.com/search?q=lady...w=1183&bih=692 tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

August 1, 2012	#2
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	BT is a sure killer for the cabbage worms. I've never seen gray aphids or any aphids on Kale here, but blasting the Aphids off the plants with the hose, also Insecticidal Soap or Diatomaceous Earth or a Pyrethrin based insecticide are a few solutions.