Worms/Caterpillars on Citrus Plants

[citychickinthecountry]

I've been dealing with hornworms and tomato fruit worms, now I have some sort of worm or caterpillar that is eating the leaves off of some citrus saplings that I'm growing.

I saw one larger worm/caterpillar on one plant that ate most of the leaves (the plant was only about 3 inches tall) and then what looked like 3 of its babies on another plant.

I picked them off and fed them to my chickens, but what can I use to treat these citrus saplings and my grapefruit, kumquat, and orange tree? (NOTE: The grapefruit tree is producing fruit, but is only about 3 feet tall. The kumquat is producing fruit and is about 4 feet tall. The orange tree is not yet producing fruit and is about 2 feet tall.)

 

[patandchickens]

Bt is the usual caterpillaricide. Unless the label says something like "don't use on citruses" (I have no personal experience with that, as you can guess from my location LOL) that's what I'd try.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[lesa]

I have no experience with citrus- but plenty of experience with caterpillars! I don't know how many trees you have, but handpicking really will work (if you don't have too many trees). The first few times you do it- you will think it is hopeless, but as the days go on, you will find fewer and fewer... This is why it is so important to take a daily tour around your garden and plantings- when you spot them early, the damage is minimal. Imagine if you waited a week- my trees would have no leaves at all!!! Good luck!