Crazy cat lady

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

I think I may have crossed into crazy cat(erpillar) lady territory. All the eggs I brought inside hatched yesterday and then I found one more little guy wandering outside so I brought him in too for an even dozen.

My husband thinks it is way too much. He might be right, lol.

I would like to give some away for others to raise, I tell others about how fun it is to watch the metamorphosis and some friends would like to start too. The only problem is that no one else is raising rue/fennel/dill/parsley/carrot and I don't think there is enough time to plant some. Does anyone have experience with buying plants from area nurseries or grocery stores? I know to stay away from the big box stores and that even organic labeled herbs could have Bt that can kill caterpillars. Are there any good options out there?

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Comments (8)

docmom_gw
11 years ago
I would try to stick to homegrown plants, if possible. But I know that is hard. I sit here with plants practically growing out my ears, but I can't find a cat to feed. I would love to try to send you some of my plants, or my sister's plants. What do you actually have, plant wise? How long will what you have last? And do you expect to find more eggs and cats? I assume you found these on plants in your yard. I think parsley or rue would probably transport most successfully with the least wilting. Can you check with local gardeners to see if they grow any? Though they might be covered in swallowtail eggs already. It does get tough, doesn't it? Good luck and I'll check back.

Martha
Nora
11 years ago
I am so jealous, we haven't had any yet.
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KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
11 years ago
I buy BST cats at Home Depot and Lowes so don't give them a bad name when it comes to parsley and dill. Bonnie Plants is their supplier in my area.
Sandpaper Tongue
Original Author
11 years ago
Martha - I only have dill and rue. I have a ton of dill that reseeded from last year, but I only have 1 rue plant. I also have 1 carrot, that grew as a volunteer out of nowhere, but it's in a pot so it'll be easy to give to someone. But it's only 1 so that can probably only feed one caterpillar, if that!

KC - Thanks for letting me know you had luck with HD and Lowes. I know that Bonnie is the supplier for Lowes in our area so that's great news!

Nora - Hope you get some butterflies soon! Last year, I didn't get any. I was so bummed, I even ended up raising a few cabbage whites because I wanted *something* in the butterfly cage. But this year has been great, so I hope you'll see them soon.
mbuckmaster
11 years ago
Despite growing several plants, I almost always run out of dill and fennel during the high cat season...and nature takes its course... =( If you come up with a creative solution, please let us know!
Michaela (Zone 5b - Iowa)
11 years ago
Home Depot is well known for using pesticides on their plants so be wary when you shop there!
KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
11 years ago
Another pro-Home Depot find:
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2014/07/08/whitelined-sphinx-caterpillar-saved-home-depot-staff/
dragonflydee
11 years ago
I am trying planting parsley in with my tomato plants right now for

The Fall butterflies.My summer broods are out now;I saw a beautiful

New tiger yesterday. I released two fine black female swallowtails

Earlier in the season,but lost five in the chrysalis because My

Homegrown Dill gave out and parsley from Publix killed them.

At least I suspect so because I have BEEN THERE BEFORE!

DD