Bacillus Thuringiensis or Spinosad - spray or powder

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imanerd Saucier, MS(Zone 8b) Jun 20, 2010

My cabbage family plants are being destroyed by worms. I've been hand picking for a while now (chickens love them) but can't seem to keep them under control. So now I'm looking to purchase an organic insecticide and have found Bt kurstaki and Spinosad to be the primary options. My questions are, which one is most effective and is it better to apply as a spray or powder? Any other product recommendations would certainly be appreciated too.


Thanks in advance,

Sadie

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trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) Jun 21, 2010

Bt won't normally kill any worm type insect. i don't know about the kurstaki strain though. the spinosad would be my first option.

if you have an ace nearby, see if they carry fertilome borer, bagworm & leafminer liquid concentrate. that's what i use. it has spinosad in it.

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jun 21, 2010

If the "worms" are cabbage loopers (or some other type of caterpillar) then Bt will work on them.

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trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) Jun 22, 2010

i had armyworms on my mind, those and sawfly larvae, but ecrane is right. cabbage loopers are cats.

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imanerd Saucier, MS(Zone 8b) Jun 29, 2010

Thanks. I ordered Green Light Organic Lawn & Garden Insect Control Spray With Spinosad from Amazon.com (http://amzn.to/cDXArJ). I'll let you know how it does.

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patgeorge Nurmo, Finland(Zone 4b) Jun 29, 2010

BT kills larvae of Lepidoptera,characterised by six forelegs; but doesn't work on Hymenoptera or other species.

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imanerd Saucier, MS(Zone 8b) Aug 06, 2010

The Spinosad seems to work well but I have to apply more frequently than recommended.

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Calalily Deep South Coastal, TX(Zone 10a) Aug 10, 2010

I use Bt for caterpillars of all kinds and it works, even on tent caterpillars that were eating my oak trees.
I alternate with spinosad, especially if I have scale, thrips or other insects eating the leaves along with the caterpillars.

Post #8032569
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patgeorge Nurmo, Finland(Zone 4b) Aug 11, 2010

Calalilly

Most Bt products available commercially work on all kinds of true caterpillars; ie larvae of lepidoptera. Many people refer to similar looking beasts such as gooseberry sawfly larvae, which are hymenoptera, as "caterpillars". The same strain won't afect them. Strains of Bt are insect specific.

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Calalily Deep South Coastal, TX(Zone 10a) Aug 12, 2010

Patgeorge, wasn't saying you were wrong, just that it works on caterpillars including army worms. Don't have sawflies that I know of (wow, a bug we don't have!!)

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