Sasha CampbellCabbage moths are notorious pests in vegetable gardens, causing significant damage to cruciferous vegetables. These moths and their larvae can cause a lot of damage to your crops if you do not try to get them under control.
You don’t have to panic though; 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 moth is a large, gray-to-brown moth with an average wingspan of about 40 mm [1]. You’ll often spot them fluttering around your garden during the warmer months.
However, their larvae are the real culprits. These are small green caterpillars that chew through leaves and damage plants.
Cabbage moths target brassica plants. These include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collard greens, and Brussels sprouts [2]. They may also occasionally feed on other leafy greens.
If you notice chewed leaves, holes in foliage, or black droppings (frass) on your brassica plants, cabbage moth larvae may be to blame. Infestations can lead to stunted plant growth, reduced yield, and unsightly plants.
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 an effective, 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 under the underside of the leaves where the moths lay and remove any caterpillars you find.
2. Birds as Natural Predators
You can also make efforts to encourage birds in your garden. They can help control cabbage moth larvae and even the moths themselves.
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 can help deter cabbage moths. Make use of these as companion plants around your brassica crops.
Other plants that repel cabbage moths include lavender, marigolds, and rosemary.
4. Decoy Moths
Some gardeners have successfully used decoy moths to mimic cabbage moths.
Therefore, place some dummy white butterflies around your garden. These can trick territorial cabbage moths into thinking the area is already occupied.
5. Trap Crop
Consider planting a trap crop like mustard that attracts cabbage moths away from your main plants. Another trap crop that diamondback moths will flock to is collard greens.
Plant these sacrificial plants a little distance from your garden with high hopes that these moths will flock to them instead of your main crop.
6. Crop Rotation
Rotating your crops every season can also help reduce cabbage moth infestations.
By changing planting locations, you can disrupt the moths’ lifecycle. Rotate brassicas with plants that aren’t cabbage moths’ host plants.
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.
Therefore, keep your garden weed-free using eco-friendly solutions.
8. Green Lacewings, Yellow Jackets, and More
Some spiders, green lacewing larvae, and some predatory beetles feed on cabbage moth eggs and larvae.
Yellow jackets, damsel bugs, and many tachinid flies are also 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 your plants. As a result, the adults will not be able to lay eggs on them.
10. Vinegar
Yes, vinegar spray is a natural deterrent for many pests, including cabbage moths.
Therefore, use it to make homemade cabbage moth spray. Just mix one part vinegar with three parts water.
Mist the solution over your plants to repel moths and caterpillars.
11. Diatomaceous Earth
Applying diatomaceous earth to your plants can also help with cabbage moth control organically.
It can kill the larvae of cabbage moths if they come into contact with it. It also works greatly against all kinds of caterpillars.
12. Soapy Water
If you are swift enough, you can spray the adult moths with soapy water spray.
All you need to do is dissolve two tablespoons of liquid dish soap in a quart of water. Use it to spray the moths.
Besides being an effective DIY spray for cabbage white butterflies, this home remedy can also suffocate cabbage moth caterpillars.
Just pick off the caterpillars and drop them in a little soap and water. They will die shortly after.
13. Neem Oil
Neem oil can also repel adult cabbage moths and other cabbage pests. Besides, it makes a great organic pesticide for cabbage worms.
Dilute two tablespoons of organic neem oil and one teaspoon of organic liquid soap with one gallon of water.
Finally, use it to spray on cabbage leaves and other crops affected by moths, cabbage butterflies, or other insect pests.
14. Trichogramma brassicae
Trichogramma brassicae is a type of 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 can help control cabbage moths, celery worms, cabbage army moths, inchworms, and many other pests.
Use it according to the product’s instructions.
Takeaway
Controlling cabbage moths naturally requires a combination of methods. However, with these techniques, you can protect your garden against these and other pests.
See also: How to get rid of cabbage worms naturally
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