Kitchen Garden Forum

My mum lives in Dorset, on the coast, and her garden is crawling with green caterpillars. They seem to be eating everything.Does anyone live in this area and have the same problem? Could anyone suggest ways to get rid of them other than hand picking which is proving to be a full time job?
Thanks in advance
Seedling

Ompah Lumpahs apparently eat Green caterpillars.

Thanks Piglet -very helpful . There are plenty of plonkers in the village but not many willie wonkas, so oopah loompahs might be in short supply
Seedling

Oops Piglet looks like you dropped a Clanger there.

Do you Bounce Seedling ? I saw some Clangers AND O.L's on the Children in Needs' QI tonight, which was as funny as....
According to Alison, Tit Birds (just DON'T Peter, OK!) eat caterpillars, or at least feed them to their young because they are full of protein....
Why couldn't Mother Nature procure the caterpillars at the same time as the young Tits and not at this time of year ? Doh !

Great Tit Birds.

Is that like "Eats shoots and leaves"?

Got it in one Sheila ...!

Good job clangers do bounce. Its the pink knitting and the stuffing that saves them Wellie
So apart from oompah loompahs and large tits there is nothing my Mum can do to get rid of these beasties? Shame - I told her how knowledgeable you all were..... Only kidding
Seedling

Dear Seedling, i should think the frosts should sort them out, so tell your Mum not to worry.

Hello Seedling
Just trying to inject a little sense back into this thread - perhaps your mum's caterpillars are from the Small White. Have a look at this info:

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.u ... itesml.htm

You say they are feeding on everything but have a closer look as they are probably only on certain types of plant. These little beasts will be on members of the cabbage family. If you want to hit them with a chemical, try something containing 'bifenthrin'. There's not much left in our chemical armoury these days (a great pity) but this one is still around and very effective.

John