Fight Caterpillars with These Natural Caterpillar Repellents

Content:

Mechanical Caterpillar Repellents
Predators and Parasites
Insecticidal Soaps and Oils
Bacterial Control
Natural Caterpillar Repellents

Caterpillars are cute, wriggly little things that brighten up your garden. But, the reality is, caterpillars are destructive and can wreak complete havoc on your plants and trees. If you only have a few in the garden, the problem is generally not too big, but once you have an infestation, your plants are in real trouble. So, are there natural caterpillar repellents?

Keeping caterpillars out of your garden is not always simple, and using toxic chemicals and poisons can be harmful to other creatures that are beneficial to the wellbeing and growth of your garden plants, especially if you have roses. Thankfully there are a variety of natural caterpillar repellents that can do a much better job than the poisons can.

Mechanical Caterpillar Repellents

Although the word ‘mechanical’ may denote some type of metal construction that will fight off any caterpillar that crosses its path, in this case, it has a different meaning. By mechanical, it refers to the attachment of something to the trunk of a tree that will stop the caterpillar from being able to climb.

The most common item used is a sticky band. Not only will it trap any caterpillars that try to crawl across the band, but it will also act as a deterrent to stop them from attempting to cross.

Predators and Parasites

Like with many other insects, by introducing a natural predator or a parasite you can successfully eliminate pests such as caterpillars from your garden.

The best predators to use include ground beetles, damsel bugs, assassin bugs, some spiders, green lacewings, and soldier beetles.

These will destroy the caterpillars but won’t cause additional harm to your plants and trees. For parasites, the best option is the wasp, especially those from the Hyposeter genus of wasps, such as the paper wasp.

Insecticidal Soap and Oils

Using insecticidal soap can be a safe but efficient way to get rid of caterpillars. Safe for humans that is. For the caterpillars, it can help prevent them from feeding, and it can also block the breathing pores of the caterpillar if they come into contact with the soap or oil.

You have to be careful when using insecticidal soap, however, as some leaves can be damaged by them. Therefore, test it on a small area first before you start spraying.

Bacterial Control

There are a few bacterial products that will kill the caterpillars but won’t harm any insects that are good or beneficial to your garden. The most common microorganisms used as Bacillus Thuringiensis or Saccharopolyspora spinose.

When these are sprayed onto the leaves of a tree the caterpillars will either eat the contaminated leaves and die or simply go elsewhere to find something else to eat. The bacterial systems are more efficient against young caterpillars as their immune system isn’t as strong as older caterpillars and they also tend to eat a lot more, so are more likely to consume the bacteria-laced leaves.

Natural Caterpillar Repellents

As the name suggests, botanical repellents are made from plant derivatives. Common forms include citrus oil from oranges and limes, neem oil, capsaicin from hot peppers, and pyrethrums from chrysanthemums.

To work effectively, the repellent has to be applied all over the leaves on the plant or tree, so they are easier to use if you are treating smaller trees rather than large ones. They can also kill the caterpillars if they are sprayed directly.

The only problem with botanical repellents is that they don’t last long when they are exposed to the weather or air. Therefore you have to reapply regularly. The good news about the quick degradation of these repellents is that they aren’t around long enough to harm good bugs, just the caterpillars.

Pepper Spray

A really good caterpillar repellent is pepper spray which you can easily make yourself. Make sure you wear gloves and eye protection while you are making and using them though!

Start by chopping finely ½ cup of habanero peppers, and then crush six garlic cloves. Puree the peppers and garlic along with two cups of water, one teaspoon of liquid soap, and one tablespoon of vegetable oil. Take the mixture and pour it into a jar with a tight lid and leave it in direct sun for two days.

Then, strain the mixture through a coffee filter and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. Now spray directly onto the caterpillars.

Canola Oil Spray

Another homemade spray is the oil spray and it is incredibly simple. Simply mix together two tablespoons of canola oil, one teaspoon of liquid soap, and two cups of warm water.

Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and attack the caterpillars. Be careful to keep it away from and plants with hairy leaves, such as squash, and orchids, as it will damage them.

Chili Spray

If you have a decent infestation of caterpillars, this chili spray should do the trick. Take 3 ½ ounces of dried chillis and grind them up in a food processor. Then bring to boil ½ gallon of water and add the chili powder, boiling together for five minutes.

Then add another ½ gallon of cold water and a few drops of liquid soap, and set the mixture aside to cool down. Try a small amount on a leaf and wait for 24 hours to see if there is any reaction. If not, you can go ahead and spray the chili mixture onto the caterpillars. The best time of day to use the chili spray is in the evening, and you should do it every day.

Neem Oil

Neem oil is an effective natural insecticide, and it works well against caterpillars. It is usually sold in a concentrated form, so it should be diluted before it is used.

Combine two tablespoons of neem oil per gallon of water, pour it into a spray bottle, and spray liberally over the caterpillars.

Burlap Traps

You can create a trap for the caterpillars by wrapping some burlap around the trunk of a tree. They like to hide during the heat of the day and will often crawl into the burlap.

Then there comes the icky part – getting rid of the caterpillars. Some people may not be so keen to physically crush the caterpillars, but you will need to find some way of disposing of the live caterpillars.

Insect Barriers

An insect barrier is made from a particular kind of fabric that you drape over your plants to protect them from caterpillars and other insects. It also prevents the butterflies and moths from laying eggs on the plants, therefore preventing the caterpillar problem before it can even start.

It’s best to use insect barriers after pollination so other beneficial insects which aid in pollination still have access to the flowers.

Garlic Spray

Caterpillars will not only be repelled by garlic, but it can also kill them. To make garlic spray, combine two spoonfuls of garlic powder with two cups of water. Then add a teaspoon of dish soap.

The reason for this is that the soap creates an adhesive when it is sprayed and the garlic spray will stick to the plants and to the caterpillars.

Another way of making a garlic spray is to dice up some garlic cloves and sprinkle them around the plants. This method will repel the caterpillars but it won’t kill them unless they come into physical contact with it.

You could also grind up a handful of fresh garlic cloves and mix it with three cups of water and spray it onto the plant leaves and the surrounding area. For the best results, spray every few weeks to ensure the caterpillars stay away.

Attract Birds into Your Garden

Birds are particularly fond of eating juicy caterpillars, so what better natural way to get rid of them than to attract more birds into your garden! You can easily bring more birds into your backyard by adding some bird feeders, birdhouses, birdbaths, and nesting boxes.

Another type of bird that really likes caterpillars is the humble chicken. Plus, if you have chickens cleaning up your caterpillars, you will also have a great supply of fresh eggs.

Poking the Nests

This sounds rather barbaric, but it is effective. Find a good long stick or a broom handle, poke it into a caterpillar nest, and twist it around inside, scraping at the same time. For even better results, hammer some nails into the stick first to make a really useful caterpillar weapon.

Then of course you have a stick covered in squashed caterpillars you have to get rid of, but at least you won’t have any live caterpillars. The best time to do this is late in the evening when caterpillars are more likely to be in their nests.