A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2005 Cabbage Worms (Yuck!)

Yep-I have a full-blown infestation of cabbage worms. They're devouring my cabbage, they're overtaking my kale, and they're doing a number on my brocolli. I went out and handpicked a bunch of them yesterday :p While I was doing this, I found a LOT of tiny little "balls" on the plants, which would just mush into bright green ick when rubbed. Are these eggs? Secretions? Alien life forms? YUCK!!! I sprayed all the plants with some compost tea, which included dish soap. Does anyone have any tricks on how to keep these things at bay? Or any ideas on the icky green balls? I don't know how much more of this I can stomach! Thanks!

It's POOP!!!!
That's a tell tale sign you've got those
puppies, cause half the time they blend right
in with the leaf and you never know you have them,
until you see droppings and chewed leaves...

I just pick them... I'm organic...and have kids..
but, there is something, if I recall from
Garden's Alive that can organically control them..
I'd have to go take a peak...

Thanks Weezie! That's some relief at least-I was afraid they were eggs and I was headed for a disaster! I've been checking for them since my first "heavy" picking, and it seems like there's a lot less than there were-some of the cabbages were already quite eaten up before I got them, but we'll wait and see-it's my first real vegie garden, so I'm learning!

Actually for me, I have them on my
Columbines... they love to eat those
lil darlin's!!!

So, I"m out there everyday, squwishin'!!!

Heck, I just came in from squwishin' slugs too!
I have to go out at night time and close the
salad bar down...

So, I know how you're feelin!!!

By day, Cabbage Loopers, by night Slugs!!!!

Keep me posted on how you make out okay??????