How to eliminate Caterpillars eating leaves

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tomcran Bradenton, FL Dec 02, 2017

A particular shrub I have is being eaten alive by caterpillars. Lizards also hang out on the shrub. I would like to use something like Bug B Gone and be done with it, but I do not want to harm the lizards. Any ideas other than picking the caterpillars off the leaves daily?

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Loretta_NJ (Zone 6b) Dec 30, 2017

You could post a picture of the shrub and the caterpillar or tell us what kinds they are. Could be they aren't even caterpillars, maybe sawfly larvae. This can help us look for options, maybe something that will prey on them.
I personally don't believe in using broad spectrum insecticides. If you ID your problem, you may be able to apply an IPM method or "Integrated Pest Management".
In general, there is Bacillus thuringiensi kurstaki (BTk), which is suppose to go after caterpillars who eat the leaves specifically. Read more here:
https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/pest-control/how-to-use-bt-pesticide-zw0z1304zkin

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Loretta_NJ (Zone 6b) May 03, 2018

SPAM

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Kell San Leandro, CA(Zone 9b) May 03, 2018

LOL to DaleMack. Sure spend hundreds when you can spend dollars.

Have you identified which caterpillars they are? Sometimes the butterfly should win out over the bush. They will not be on it forever. One of my biggest regrets was one day killing a ton of caterpillars on a vine. Later I IDed them and wished I had just let them be. The vine would have recovered. Lots of people have butterfly gardens and actually grow plants caterpillars favor as their food.

I agree with Loretta_NJ. My experience is that Bacillus thuringiensis works great and best of all does not kill you too. I used it every year once on my petunias. The flowers would be eaten overnight till there were none. They would be eaten about 3 weeks after they started to flower. The cats were GONE all season after spraying just once and it won't kill you are anything else out there.

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