Sasha CampbellCabbage moths are notorious pests in vegetable gardens. They mainly go after cruciferous vegetables.
These moths and their larvae can cause significant damage to your crops if you do not take steps to control them.
However, you don’t have to panic; there are many natural ways to keep them away.
Below are natural strategies to help manage cabbage moths in your garden.
Identification
The adult cabbage moths are large, grayish-brown moths with an average wingspan of about 40 mm [1]. You will often spot them fluttering around your garden during the warmer months.
Their larvae are caterpillars that range from green to brownish-gray and feed heavily on leaves and developing heads of brassica crops.
These crops include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collard greens, and Brussels sprouts [2]. They may also occasionally feed on other leafy greens.
Cabbage moth larvae may be to blame if you notice chewed leaves, holes in foliage, or black droppings (frass) on your brassica plants. Infestations can lead to stunted plant growth, reduced yield, and unsightly plants.
Note: Some gardeners refer to cabbage white butterfly caterpillars as “cabbage worms.” These pests are similar and damage the same crops.
Signs of Cabbage Moths
- Holes in cabbage, broccoli, kale, or other brassica leaves.
- Leaves looking “skeletonized” or badly chewed.
- Small green or brownish-gray caterpillars on the plant.
- Tiny black droppings (frass) on or under leaves.
- Damage hidden inside cabbage heads or cauliflower florets.
- Birds or insects actively picking at your brassica plants.
- Leaves that look ragged, wilted, or unevenly eaten.
How to Get Rid of Cabbage Moths Naturally
Below are some of the best home remedies and natural control methods for these moths and their larvae.
1. Pick Off the Caterpillars
Handpicking is a practical, chemical-free way to manage cabbage moth caterpillars. This is especially true if you have a small garden.
Therefore, go out and check your plants. Be sure to look on the underside of leaves where the moths lay and remove any caterpillars you find.
2. Birds as Natural Predators
You can also take steps to attract birds to your garden. They can help control cabbage moth larvae and even the moths themselves.
Some birds, like house sparrows and many songbirds, will happily snack on caterpillars. Chickens and ducks will also go after these pests.
3. Repellent Plants
Plants like thyme, sage, dill, and mint may help confuse or reduce cabbage moth activity. Use these as companion plants around your brassica crops.
Other plants that may repel cabbage moths include lavender, marigolds, and rosemary.
4. Decoy Moths
Some gardeners have had success using decoy white butterflies to prevent egg-laying. Still, there isn’t much research to support this method.
To give it a try, place some dummy white butterflies around your garden. These may discourage egg-laying in some cases, but results are inconsistent and not well studied.
5. Trap Crop
Consider planting a trap crop, such as mustard, to attract cabbage moths away from your main plants. Collard greens may also attract diamondback moths and can sometimes be used as a trap crop.
Plant these sacrificial plants a bit away from your garden. The moths may prefer them over nearby crops.
6. Crop Rotation
Rotating your crops every season can also help reduce cabbage moth infestations.
Crop rotation may help reduce overwintering populations and should be combined with other control methods. Rotate brassicas with plants that aren’t hosts for cabbage moths.
7. Kill Nearby Growing Weeds
Weeds can attract cabbage moths and provide a place for them to lay eggs. Weeds can also serve as alternative hosts when these pests can’t find much to eat.
For this reason, remove weeds regularly using manual or natural weed control methods.
8. Green Lacewings, Yellowjackets, and More
Some spiders, green lacewing larvae, and some predatory beetles feed on cabbage moth eggs and larvae.
Some wasps, including certain parasitic species, damsel bugs, and many tachinid flies are natural enemies of cabbage moth larvae.
9. Row Covers
One protective measure to consider is floating row covers.
Carefully installed, these create a physical barrier between cabbage moths (and other brassica pests) and your plants. As a result, the adults cannot lay eggs on them.
10. Inspect for Eggs
Check the undersides of leaves regularly for eggs. Removing them before they hatch can greatly reduce caterpillar populations.
11. Diatomaceous Earth
Applying diatomaceous earth to your plants can also help control cabbage moths organically.
It works when insects crawl over the dry powder, which damages their outer layer and causes dehydration.
12. Soapy Water
Soapy water is most useful for killing handpicked caterpillars. Simply drop the caterpillars into a container of soapy water.
You only need to dissolve two tablespoons of liquid dish soap in a quart of water. This home remedy is a great DIY spray to suffocate cabbage moth caterpillars.
13. Neem Oil
Neem oil can also repel adult cabbage moths and other brassica-feeding insects.
To use, mix 2 tablespoons of organic neem oil with 1 teaspoon of organic liquid soap in 1 gallon of water.
It can be used to spray cabbage leaves and other crops affected by moths and related pests. Always follow the manufacturer’s label instructions, as concentrations vary among neem oil products.
14. Trichogramma brassicae
Trichogramma brassicae is a parasitic wasp that can help control moths on cole crops.
It lays its eggs inside moth eggs. When the wasp larvae hatch, they consume the moth eggs, naturally controlling the moth population.
15. BONIDE Thuricide
BONIDE Thuricide is an organic caterpillar control product. It contains Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt), a naturally occurring soil bacterium that specifically targets caterpillars.
Bt can help control cabbage moths, celery worms, and inchworms. It also works against cabbage armyworms and many other pests.
Use it according to the product’s instructions.
FAQ
What do cabbage moths eat?
They mainly feed on plants in the cabbage family, such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.
Are cabbage moths harmful to humans?
No, they do not bite, sting, or harm people. They only damage plants.
What time of year are cabbage moths most active?
They are most active during warm growing seasons, especially spring and summer.
Can vinegar get rid of cabbage moths?
Vinegar is not an effective control method for cabbage moths.
It may have a mild deterrent effect in some cases, but there is no strong evidence that it reliably repels or kills them. It can also damage plant leaves if used too strongly.
How do I get rid of cabbage moths fast?
Handpicking caterpillars and using row covers are the fastest natural methods.
Do cabbage moths fly or crawl?
Adult moths fly, but their caterpillars crawl and do the actual plant damage.
Can I prevent cabbage moths completely?
Not completely, but you can greatly reduce them using row covers, crop rotation, and regular plant checks.
What is the safest spray for cabbage moths?
Neem oil or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sprays are commonly used safe organic options.
Takeaway
Effective cabbage moth control works best when you combine multiple natural methods. This includes handpicking, crop protection, and biological controls.
Combining several natural methods gives the best long-term control of cabbage moths.
See also: How to get rid of cabbage worms naturally.
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