Many species of caterpillars spend the winter months in cocoons before emerging between the months of May and June.
In gardens around the UK, caterpillars may start popping up on leaves and flowers. However, this can spell disastrous news for beloved plants.
Though there are several different varieties of caterpillars in the UK, most like to feast on leaves, foliage, roots and flowers.
Luckily, gardening expert Emma Loker at DIY Garden has shared several natural ways to deter and get rid of these plant-destroying pests.
She said: “Many people underestimate the humble caterpillar. But, you shouldn’t be deceived by these bothersome bugs. If your garden experiences a caterpillar invasion, your plants will suffer.
“As a gardener myself, I have often wondered how to stop caterpillars from eating my plants. It’s all too easy to use harsh chemical pesticides. Just eradicate them with harmful chemical concoctions. But this isn’t necessary – there are many organic ways to get rid of caterpillars.”
1. Use soap and water
The expert noted that this tip is a “common caterpillar repelling method” which is “cheap and easy” to carry out.
Start with regular soap and water. If gardeners dissolve organic liquid soap in a container of warm water and then spray it on the affected plants, it will make the surface of the plants “slippery” so caterpillars will have difficulty climbing up and staying on them. It won’t harm them, just force them to look elsewhere for nourishment.
2. Apply a natural pesticide to the plant
Neem oil is a great natural pesticide for controlling caterpillars in the garden and will keep many other garden pests away.
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Emma instructed: “Just add 60ml of neem oil to eight pints of water. Make sure it’s mixed properly, then apply it to your affected plants in the evening and the morning after. This solution kills caterpillars through suffocation.”
3. Create a pepper and garlic spray
Using this combination of pepper and garlic works great on these pests as it “kills off the caterpillars eating your plants”.
For this method mix together one tablespoon of red pepper flakes, one bulb of minced garlic, one teaspoon of liquid soap and eight pints of water.
The expert said: “Now, you want to let this rest. I know the idea of caterpillars chomping away at your plants can leave you impatient, but it’s vital to wait 24 hours to allow the ingredients to fully bind. Once the 24 hours is up, spray your plants.”
4. Make a chilli spray
If there’s one kitchen ingredient caterpillars “don’t like”, it’s spice. A chilli spray won’t be enough to kill these troublesome critters, but “it’ll put them off the plants”.
Boil four pints of water with 100g of dried ground chilli for around five minutes. After, add four pints of cold water and a few drops of organic liquid soap.
Give the solution a stir and leave it to cool for several hours. Emma urged: “It’s essential to patch test your chilli spray first. So, apply to just a tiny area of a caterpillar-ridden plant and check back on it after 24 hours.
“If the plant looks happy, healthy and caterpillar-free, apply a lavish layer to all affected plants.”
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