Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> About Gardening

Organic Control of Cabbage Worms (Loopers) on Collards

Q: Caterpillars destroyed my collards in two days. Organic solution?

A: Cabbage worms (loopers) are the #1 pest of cabbage, collards, kale. They defoliate quickly. Best organic control: Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.)—a natural bacterial spray toxic only to caterpillars, safe for pets and humans.

About Gardening: Protecting Potted Royal Empress Trees from Pests; Sticky Maple Leaves: Aphid Honeydew and Pruning Timing; Managing Aphid Honeydew on Large Landscape Trees; Managing Earthworm Castings in a Shady Lawn: Grass Alternatives and Cultural Practices; Zucchini Vine Borers: Identification and Organic Control; Savoy Cabbage vs. Savoy Spinach: The Jeopardy Question Explained; Hollyhock Rust: Identification and Control for Lace-Like Leaves; Catalpa Worm Control: Using Bt for Caterpillar Management; Controlling Azalea Lace Bugs: Spring Soil Drench and Summer Sprays; Controlling Euonymus Scale: Pruning, Systemics, and When to Replace

Garden Articles

Black Leaves on Ornamental Pear: Sooty Mold from Aphids

Cottony Substance on Oak Leaves: Cottony Aphids

Inchworm Defoliation on Mature Red Maple

Controlling Thrips on African Violets: Chemical and Organic Options

Worm Trails on Water Lily Leaves: Insect Damage

Trapping Armadillos with a Drift Fence

Eradicating Invasive Privet: A Long-Term Management Plan

Plants

Pepper Pests and Diseases: Identification and Control Strategies

Organic Cabbage Growing: Natural Pest Control for Healthy Heads

Bed Bug Infestation: Why Professional Treatment Is Essential for Complete Eradication

Managing Iris Rust Without Starting Over

Controlling Dollarweed in St. Augustine Grass: Herbicides and Cultural Practices

Wild Violet Control in Bermuda Lawn

Corn Earworm Control: Timing Is Everything