1. What size mesh do people find proof against them?
2. If more than 5mm, can they not lay their eggs through it?
3. How long between laying & hatching?
And when do they stop laying??
Tim I don't know what size netting I use. The important thing is to ensure that the netting doesn't touch the brassica leaves then the cabbage whites can't lay their eggs.
There is about one week between laying and hatching.
Aha! But how small a hole can they get through?
One week? And another week, I suppose, before they've destroyed everything!
Tim,
They can squeeze through 1/2" I reckon. Sex drive 'innit?
I cover all brassicas with the 'Netlon' stuff all year round (sky rats & whites). I can't give you the dimensions of the 'hole' I'm afraid, but I still spray if I see the eggs.
Without meaning to be provocative - spray? With what against what?
Nice sprays won't harm the eggs, & they have to hit the wigglies to deal with them. Under every leaf? Almost as easy to brush them off?
We've had a disastrous year through laziness & age.
Tim I have never had a problem with cabbage whites. I just buy the green netting from the garden centre and make sure that it doesn't touch the leaves. My OH makes me ' T ' shapes out of two pieces of wood and I use these as a frame to hold the netting clear of the plants. It works for me - try it next year Tim.
So this is a 5mm mesh - or thereabouts?
Another thing I would like to know - how many clusters can one c/w lay?
And when do they stop it??
Just for you Tim I have been outside to measure my netting! It is roughly 6/7mm but that is stretched so it is probably 5mm mesh.
As for the eggs - up to 100 at a time. The female cabbage white has two spots on it's wings. So that is the one you don't want. They stop around August / September but I guess the weather will affect that.
Tim, in reply.
I do spray with 'Bugclear' if I see signs of infestation but this year there is little evidence of eggs or caterpillars thank goodness. To remove a 30' * 20' net to 'rub off' the beasts is a pain if you are on your own.
Nearly September now so one can possibly relax? Then there's the 'Sky Rats' of course!
I had catterpillas on my black kale last December when I visited the plot to harvest my Christmas dinner!
Last week I watched one fly straight through our 15mm mesh as if it wasn't there. At least it keeps the flying rats out.
Thanks for all that.
100 at a time - in the one patch or do they do it over & over.
Net/mesh? Do agree about the pain of handling. Especially fleece in the slightest breeze.
I watched a CW trying in vane to get through my netting yesterday.
I was so pleased when it gave up and few off.
;D