How to prevent/get rid of cabbage worms organically?

[BetterHensandGardens]

Well, the title says is all. My cabbage look awful, I've tried dusting with Bt, but then we get a thunderstorm and it seems like those worms are right back at it. What's the best way to get rid of those darn cabbage worms? Garden gurus please tell me your secrets!

 

[hoodat]

The only way to do it is persistence. Try the BT in spray form instead of dust. If you use it with a spreader sticker it will not wash off as easily as the dust.
Put your cabbages on a weekly spray till you get them under control and a two week interval after that.
If the BT isn't doing it you may have a resistant type worm. we can thank Monsanto for that. Putting the BT in the GMO corn makeup was bound to do it sooner or later. In that case neem oil is your best sustitute.

 

[lesa]

I am surprised cabbage worms are more active after rain- are you sure they are not slugs or snails? They love cabbage, too...

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

Thank you for the input, I'll try persistence and spray - I didn't see slugs or snails.

BTW, nice to know there's another lesa in the world that spells her name the right way!

 

[Hattie the Hen]

The moment you put the small plants in the soil cover the whole area with wide row covers & keep them covered . Then the butterflies can't lay the eggs, no eggs=no cabbage worm= no damaged cabbages.......!! :happy_flower
I do it now & it is really easy. It also keeps the pigeons & my marauding chickens off them. It has another benefit as it keeps bad wet weather splash back of mud etc. My brassicas look beautiful........SMUG, SMUG. SMUG.............!!


Hattie