Spray the plants with a product whose active ingredient is Bacillus thuringiensis 'kurstaki'. It is an organic product that only affects the caterpillars, so be sure to keep it off of flowers that attract butterflies or desirable moths. Bt 'kurstaki' is available in different products from different companies, both as a dust (Dipel) and a liquid (found in products like Thuricide). I bought a bottle of Hi-Yield (that's the brand name) Thuricide concentrate yesterday at a local farm-type feed and seed store. All the Bt products in my part of the state are hard to find this year. They sell out just about as soon as they hit the shelves. In the document linked below, there is a list of some of the Bt products generally found on store shelves. The Dipel dust, Bonide and Hi Yield sprays are the ones I usually see in stores here.

Read and follow the directions carefully to maximize its effectiveness. Bt degrades in sunlight so it is best to spray it in the evening or on a cloudy day when no rain is forecast that would wash it off the plants. Usually, regardless of the name under which Bt 'kurstaki' is sold, the words "caterpillar killer" will appear on the label.

Bt is not a quick-kill product. The caterpillars have to ingest it in order for it to work. They do stop feeding almost as soon as they ingest it, but then they will live another day or two before they die. Be patient and it will work. You might have to respray once every 7-10 days for a few weeks to catch all the newly-hatching caterpillars.

I've never seen caterpillars in such huge numbers as we've had this year.

If you can't find Bt and you want an organic solution, look for a product containing neem oil.

Later on, if Colorado Potato Beetles show up, there is a different strain of Bt sold to kill them.

Dawn

Here is a link that might be useful: Link With List of Some Bt Brand Name Products

Dawn,

Thank you very much. It is amazing how I never have seen any insects such as these guys and squash bugs until I planted a garden.

Thank you again.

Jake

Jake,

You're welcome.

If you are fairly new to vegetable gardening, you will see more insects than you ever imagined. When you do, don't panic.

Our gardens are their own ecosystems and wildlife in many forms (insects, bugs, arachnids, birds, lizards, frogs, toads, snakes, etc.) are a part of that ecosystem. Many insects (the ones that are herbivores) do relatively little damage and if you can ignore them and their damage, the other insects that are carnivores (cool, huh) will eat them up, assisted by other members of the ecosystem that I mentioned above.

However, with the caterpillars this year appearing in large numbers and doing tons of damage, I believe it is prudent to use Bt 'Kurstaki' (carefully, so you don't harm the desirable butterflies) to control them, and the sooner the better. Many years, we can just hand pick and squish a few caterpillars and the damage stops. This year, hand-picking and squishing would be a 24/7 chore and you still might not get them all.

Stick with us here on this forum and we'll deal with the pest infestations together. It is rare you'll encounter a garden pest here that someone else here isn't seeing at the exact same time.

Dawn

You are not alone, Jake. I've been picking and picking and picking. My Endives are about a foot tall now and they were very delicious according to the worms and bugs. lol