13 Natural Ways to Get Rid Of Cabbage Loopers

You may have noticed small, green caterpillars on your cabbage plants. These pests are likely cabbage loopers.

Cabbage loopers can damage cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables. If you see them in your garden, it is vital to take action immediately.

In this article, we will discuss different ways to control them naturally. Let’s get started!

Identification

They are yellow-green caterpillars that chew irregular holes in the leaves of certain crops.

These leaf eaters are named for their movement, which involves arching their backs to form a loop before projecting the rest of the body forward [1].

How to Get Rid of Cabbage Loopers Naturally

Below, we’ll share several ways to get rid of these pesky critters using things you likely have at home and organic products.

1. Scrape Off Eggs

When you see eggs on the plants, especially on the underside of the leaves, it is time to take action.

They are laid in rows and ridged. Scrape them off and squish them. But be sure to get all of them, as they will hatch into larvae in just a few days.

2. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a powerful natural insecticide. It effectively targets cabbage loopers and other pesky garden worms.

Bt is a bacterium that you’ll find naturally in soils. It produces a toxin that will kill the loopers after they ingest it. This product is one of the best organic methods for dealing with cabbage loopers.

3. Beneficial Insects

Another cabbage looper organic control method is to bring in helpful insects. These little insects will feed on the caterpillars.

Ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps are some of the best insects for devouring cabbage loopers. You can buy them online or let nature take its course and attract them to your garden.

4. Chickens

Chickens are extraordinary in your yard when it’s insect pest season. They love to eat many of them!

Try getting some chickens. They will solve the problem for you.

Not only do they eat the looper caterpillars, but they also help by scratching the soil and spreading fertilizer.

5. Floating Row Covers

You may have heard of floating row covers. These thin sheets of fabric can protect your plants from insect pests.

The fabric acts as a barrier, keeping cabbage looper moths from reaching your plants. They’re also reusable—just fold them up and store them in a cool, dry place when you’re not using them.

A few different types are available, so choose the one that’s best for you.

6. Spinosad

You also have the option of using spinosad, another substance that is toxic to these cabbage pests.

It also works well on gypsy moths, broccoli worms, fall webworms, and beet armyworms. That’s why it is popular in organic farming.

One downside is that it can be toxic to bees [2], so you should avoid using it if you have beehives on your property.

But if you don’t have any beehives and you’re looking for an organic way to keep away cabbage loopers, spinosad is an excellent choice.

7. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is an excellent home remedy for cabbage loopers.

Here’s how it works: The powder is sprinkled on the plant’s leaves, and the pests crawl through it. The sharp edges of the powder cut into their soft bodies, and they dehydrate and die.

8. Control Weeds

To get cabbage loopers out of your garden, take care of the weed problems. Weeds compete with your vegetables for food and water, and these pests can also overwinter in them.

9. Cornmeal

Cornmeal is another natural remedy that will kill cabbage loopers.

You only need to dust it on your plants; the pests will eat it. They will then swell up and die.

It’s a simple, easy, affordable solution that works like a charm.

10. Neem Oil

Neem oil works well against cabbage loopers and many other garden pests.

This natural pesticide is terrific. It’s organic and biodegradable, so it won’t harm the environment.

So how do you use it? Mix one tablespoon with a gallon of water and a tablespoon of liquid soap, and spray your plants.

You can also buy a ready-made mixture online.

11. Molt-X

Molt-X is made with natural ingredients, including azadirachtin, and it’s effective against many garden pests, including cabbage loopers.

Prepare it according to the instructions and use it to spray your plants. Molt-X is a good option for organically getting rid of cabbage loopers.

12. AzaGuard

AzaGuard is a botanical insecticide that is OMRI-listed and effective against many pests. It works well against these pests. Just follow the instructions that come with your purchase.

13. Pick Off the Caterpillars

If you don’t have any of the above remedies, you can always pick the cabbage looper caterpillars off by hand. The process can be tedious, but it’s effective.

Moreover, they are big enough that you can spot them easily.

Takeaway

Now that you know these pests and the natural ways to get them off your plants, it’s time to take action. Experiment with a few of these remedies, or all, and see which ones work best for you.