Topic: Still have caterpillars and slugs on cabbages!! ? what to do....

[tizzy]

 ::)  first year of allotment and can't believe we have still got caterpillars on savoy cabbages! and slugs and snails too.....
any suggestions? don't want to spray .... have already used organic slug pellets and have frogs too!  When do the die off for the winter?? >:(
Also Brussel sprouts are still very small was hoping they would be ready for xmas but must have planted too late!

Thanks..... :)

[thifasmom]

the caterpillars are probably overwintering and the slugs well what can i say ...... >:(

[saddad]

The slugs never really go away.... the caterpillars should be "dormant" or dead by now if you have had a frost. The Sprouts are doing fine... some suggest taking the tops out to encourage the "sprouts" to swell. Welcome to the site Tizzy  ;D

[flossy]

    Hi tizzy,

   Shook the caterpillars off mine, they were flying everywhere !

   - mind you don't loosen the roots though, was told a spot of washing up liquid
     spray, well diluted and applied to the leaves can help.

     floss

[PurpleHeather]

If you look inside you will probably find a few baby worms too.

You either spray or spend time picking off what you don't want and dropping them into salt water..you could  put them on a bird table. (birds don't take salt or pepper)

[manicscousers]

hiya, tizzy, welcome to the site  ;D
we've got very small slugs, some under the cabbage collars..just as well the chickens like them  ;D

[Lauren S]

I found caterpillars on my cabbages last January. I couldn't believe it  :o. I don't think my garden got any frost as it is sheltered by walls on three sides. I just got out the scissors and helped them to heaven  ;D