How to Rid a Cabbage of Parasites

Caterpillars

• 1

  Remove caterpillars by hand and kill them. The best time to do this is after dark when they are most active. Spot the caterpillars with a flashlight.

• 2

  Spray the caterpillars with a general-purpose garden insecticide. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, paying particular attention to the safe length of time between spraying and harvest.

• 3

  Spray caterpillars with any product containing Bacillus thuringiensis. Bacillus thuringiensis contains bacteria that kill pests but leave beneficial insects like bees unharmed.

Slugs and snails

• 4

  Fill shallow containers with about 1 inch of beer and place them around your cabbage crop. Attracted by the beer, the snails and slugs fall into the container and drown.

• 5

  Handpick the snails and slugs from your crop and dispose of them. These hungry mollusks are at their most active after nightfall, especially if it has been raining.

• 6

  Lay down slug pellets containing metaldehyde, which is highly poisonous to slugs. In high doses, it is harmful to pets and small children, but is safe if properly used.

Aphids

• 7

  Deter aphids by spraying them with a solution of 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid diluted in a pint of water. This is nontoxic.

• 8

  Spraying your crop with fresh water before harvest removes any soapy residue.

• 9

  Spray the crop with a general-purpose insecticide as soon as you see the first signs of aphid infestation.