Control worms in cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower

You may have noticed those little white moths flying around your cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and related vegetables. Or you may have noticed holes in some of the leaves.

The moths lay eggs which hatch into caterpillars (worms) which eat holes in the leaves and also burrow into heads of broccoli and cauliflower. It is not a pleasant surprise when they float to the top as you are cooking these vegetables.

Fortunately there is a very safe organic pesticide which controls them very well. Bacillus thuringensis, sold as Thuricide and Dipel, is a bacterial disease which kills any worms that come in contact with it. This disease is specific for caterpillars and would not harm you even if you ate it. Look for it in any store which sells pesticides.

Another new organic pest control also works well for a wide range of insects. Look on the ingredients label of organic insecticides for Spinosad.

 

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Allen Wilson

Allen has been writing about gardening for over 30 years. He is a retired professor of Horticulture.

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