Is there a way to get rid of the larvae from the white cabbage butterfly BEFORE it hatches into a Caterpillar?

Question

I have been reading up on the White Cabbage Butterfly because I have them on my broccoli and cabbage. I have noticed the larvae on the underside of the leaves and I know what is coming. Is there any way to rid myself of the catterpillars before they hatch? I also prefer organic means, but will do what I have to. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

I have the same thing.  Those green little catepillars will grow into those white cabbage moths you see flying low over the vegetable garden.  This morning I had to wash away the small green larvae.

After I washed them off the cabbage I used Sevin.  I know you wanted organic means and normally I go organic, too, but the infestation on the cabbage was too much to control manually.  Normally I pluck off the green cats and feed them to the grateful birds but this morning I used more drastic means.

Answer 2

Spray your plants with this early in the morning, before it gets  hot:

1/3 cup Murphy's Oil Soap (use the name brand only)

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 gallon water.

Spray both the top and bottoms of leaves.  The oil will coat the leaf and smother the larvae before they hatch.  You have to do this about once a week.

Answer 3

probably too late make a box out of screen wire to keep the butterfly away..........tom