How to Get Rid of Cabbage Worms with Natural Home Remedies

Cabbage worms have to be dealt with as soon as they are spotted in a garden. Here are some home remedies you can try to get rid of the cabbage worms.

1. Apply Diatomaceous Earth

Get some food-grade diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it on plants where cabbage worms are spotted. The diatomaceous earth powder will kill cabbage worms by piercing their bodies.

2. Set up a Netting Barrier

Cabbage moths and butterflies may lay eggs a couple of times during the year. During these times, you should set up row barriers or netting barriers across your garden to prevent the adults from laying their eggs. No eggs, no cabbage worm problems.

3. Dust Leaves with Cornmeal

You could kill the cabbage worms by dusting the affected plants with cornmeal. The caterpillars with eat the cornmeal, swell up, and eventually die. Original all-purpose flour may also work.

4. Apply Companion Planting

Grow pest-repelling plants (e.g. thyme, mint) next to your susceptible plants. This could discourage the adult butterflies and moths from laying eggs on your valuable garden crop.

5. Make a Natural Repellent Spray

There are a number of natural ingredients, such as garlic and cayenne pepper, that may deter cabbage worms. Blend these ingredients with water to create the repellent then use a spray to apply it on the undersides of leaves.

6. Introduce Beneficial Insects

A sustainable approach to getting rid of cabbage worms is by introducing natural predators to the garden. This may include spiders, praying mantis, and ground beetles. In addition to these insects, you may also want to attract other natural predators such as birds and geckos.