How Do You Deal With Cabbage Worms?

How Do You Deal With Cabbage Worms?

Cabbage worms are the uninvited dinner guests of the brassica world. Once they show up, they’ll chew through leaves like a buffet in Vegas. You’ll recognize their handiwork by the ragged holes and greenish-black droppings they leave behind—polite, they are not.

Spotting the Culprits

These pests aren’t worms at all, but the larvae of a butterfly—the small white or cabbage moth. They’re sneaky little devils, blending in with the green of your plants like tiny camouflage tanks.

If you see fluttering white butterflies flitting around your broccoli, kale, or cabbage, don’t be charmed. They’re scouting targets and laying eggs, preparing the next wave of destruction. Check the undersides of your leaves for clusters of pale yellow eggs. That’s your warning sign.

Prevention First

Let me tell you something I learned the hard way: starting early is *everything*. Once you’ve got an infestation, you’re fighting an uphill battle. Here’s how you keep them out in the first place:

• Floating Row Covers: Lightweight fabric is your best friend here. Place it over your plants as soon as you set them out. It keeps the moths from laying eggs but still lets air, water, and sunlight through.
• Companion Planting: I swear by planting dill, thyme, or sage near my brassicas. Their strong scents confuse the moths and send them packing.
• Crop Rotation: Don’t put brassicas in the same spot year after year. Cabbage worms love to overwinter in the soil, waiting for you to serve up next season’s feast.

What to Do When They Arrive

Even with all the preparation in the world, cabbage worms can find a way in. They’re relentless like that. When you spot them, act fast.

1. Handpicking

It’s as simple as it sounds, but also as gross. Put on some gloves, grab a bucket of soapy water, and pluck those worms right off the leaves. Drown them in your bucket. It’s oddly satisfying.

Check daily. They hide in the nooks and crannies of your plants, so don’t rush it.

2. Bring in Biological Backup

If you’ve got cabbage worms, trust me, you want to meet *Bacillus thuringiensis* (Bt). It’s a naturally occurring bacteria that specifically targets caterpillars. Mix it with water, spray it on your plants, and it’ll stop worms in their tracks without harming bees or other friendly insects.

Ladybugs, wasps, and birds are also natural predators of cabbage worms. Encouraging them to set up shop in your garden is like building your own little army. A birdbath or a few flowering plants can work wonders.

3. Neem Oil

When things got bad last season, neem oil became my secret weapon. This all-natural insecticide not only repels the moths but also disrupts the growth cycle of the larvae. Spray it on in the evening to avoid harming pollinators. It’s powerful stuff, so don’t overdo it.

4. Diatomaceous Earth

For persistent infestations, sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around the base of your plants and on the leaves. The fine powder is lethal to soft-bodied pests like cabbage worms but harmless to humans and pets.

Long-Term Strategies

There’s no permanent fix for cabbage worms. They’ll keep coming back, year after year, like weeds or bad reality TV. But you can tip the odds in your favor.

Start by cleaning up your garden in the fall. Remove any plant debris that might harbor eggs or larvae over the winter. It’s tedious, sure, but it makes a huge difference.

Finally, don’t forget to inspect your seedlings before planting. I once brought home a six-pack of kale starts from a nursery, only to discover they came pre-loaded with tiny eggs. Now, I scour every leaf like a customs officer.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of Bt.”

Final Thoughts

Cabbage worms are persistent, but they’re not invincible. With vigilance, a few well-placed defenses, and a bit of old-fashioned persistence, you can keep your brassicas intact. And when you finally harvest a flawless head of cabbage, it’ll taste that much sweeter.

Cabbage worms can be a nuisance for gardeners, but they’re an easy problem to prevent or control. So, take the necessary steps to make sure your garden is inviting to beneficial insects, and if all else fails, you can always pick up some organic insecticide. Remember, every garden has its challenges, so don’t give up and happy gardening!