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Do you have those pretty little white butterflies fluttering around your garden? They are pretty but can wreak havoc on your brassicas. It’s the notorious Cabbage Worm Moth!
It flits around gracefully, landing for just a few seconds, only to flutter off to the next plant.
Each time it lands, it leaves a teeny tiny egg that will hatch in about four to eight days and become a notorious cabbage worm. This little bitty green velvety worm can be very difficult to see until it has caused significant damage to your plant.
More than likely, you will see its fecal matter before you actually see the worm itself. The cabbage worm will munch on your plant for 8-15 days and then pupae. About a week later, the pupae will hatch, and the adult Cabbage Worm Moth begins a new cycle.
Ways to Naturally Control the Cabbage Worm
1. Parasitic Wasp or Yellow Jackets
Myself, I despise the yellow jacket but believe it or not, they will eat cabbage worms. So just maybe, they do have a purpose.
The parasitic wasp is very effective in controlling the cabbage worm as well as the Tomato Hornworm. To attract them to your garden, be sure to plant lots of annual flowering plants in your garden.
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2. Garden Netting
Garden netting has proved to be very effective. The net cuts off the ability of the butterfly to get to your plant. Making her unable to lay her eggs, and therefore, your cabbages, broccoli, brussel sprouts, etc., are safer.
Be sure to secure the sides and repair any tears that may be in your net. This will aid tremendously in preventing her from getting into your plants.
3. Hand Picking
If at all possible, hand-pick the eggs off your plants. As soon as you see the white butterfly fluttering around the garden, just know that she is there to lay eggs.
As I said before, though, they are super tiny, and you may not even see a worm until you see the frass or fecal matter they leave behind. When you see this, look carefully for the cabbage worm and squeeze it with your hand.
4. Plant Dusting
- Sprinkle Rye flour or cornmeal over the plant early in the morning while they are still wet with dew. The worms will eat it, swell and die.
- Diatomaceous Earth is finely ground powder. Sprinkle over plants when they are dry. Worms will eat it and die.
Another homemade treatment is to use a Garlic Oil Spray.
5. Recipe for Garlic Oil Concentrate
Smash and peel 1 full garlic head. In a medium size pot, add 1 cup of olive oil or 1 cup of mineral oil and the peeled garlic. Over medium heat, cook for 3-4 or until low bubbles begin to form around the garlic pieces. Continue to heat and cook for 10 minutes or until garlic turns brown, stirring continuously. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Pour oil and garlic into a mason jar and place a lid on it. This will be your concentrate.
To make Garlic Oil Spray: Mix 4 cups of water, 2 Tbsp. of liquid soap, and 3 Tbsp. of Garlic Oil Concentrate. Pour into a sprayer and spray the top and bottom sides of the leaves on your plants.
Garlic Spray can also help to control aphids, leafhoppers, cabbage loopers, earwigs, squash bugs, and whiteflies.
For large-size cabbages, spray down into crevices between the large outside leaves and the cabbage head.
I hope this list has helped you to learn a few ways that you can control the cabbage worm. If you notice the pretty little white butterfly fluttering around your garden, don’t hesitate. Take action immediately.
Have you been bothered by the cabbage worm in your garden? What have you tried to control it?
More Garden Pests to Learn About
- How to Get Rid of Aphids in Your Garden
- How to Control and Get Rid of Tomato Hornworms
- How to Get Rid of Squash Vine Borers
- How to Identify and Get Rid of Squash Bugs
- How to Kill Tomato Fruitworms
- How to Naturally Get Rid of Yellow Jackets
- How to Get Rid of Slugs in a Garden
- Get Rid of Earwigs and Protect Your Plants with These Simple Tricks
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Dianne Hadorn is the owner of Hidden Springs Homestead, nestled in the hills of East Tennessee. A Master Gardener and lifelong homesteader, she teaches families how to grow real food, preserve it with confidence, and depend less on the grocery store. Through her practical, down-to-earth approach, Dianne has become a trusted source for beginners who want to build a sustainable lifestyle and fill their pantries with food they’ve grown themselves.
Do you store the extra Garlic Oil in the fridge? How long will it last?
Hi Jacquie,
Sure you can do this! There is nothing in it that will be a problem. I normally don’t have any extra left, so I don’t know specifically how long it will last. But for a safe amount, I’d think it would last 2 weeks at least. Just shake well when you use it again to keep mix the oil back into the solution.
Can I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil in my recipe for killing pests that are eating my cabbage
Hi Rene,
The recipe if for Garlic Oil, not vegetable oil. And the Olive oil is not strong enough either. Be sure to garlic oil.
Thank you for this great tip. Where do you buy the net and does it ha a specific name?
Terri
Hi Terri,
I use this I like that is it 10 feet wide so it works for taller plants as well. Or with the cabbage, I lay it across and then roll the side up to the proper width needed. This saves space on storage – sort of a “one size fits all.” And then to hold it up, I use hoops.
Hi,
What does the garlic spray do to the pests exactly? Is it a deterrent or does it kill them?
Hi Carol,
I’m so glad you ask this question. The combination of the garlic oil and soap kills the little worms. They cannot digest the garlic/soap combination and they die. It’s cruel, but necessary not to lose your cabbages. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions. I’m happy to help.