B.T. When to start and when to stop?

[CheifnBud2]

I have had problems with caterpillars every year. I don't think i am applying my bacillus thuringensis at the correct times of the season.

My question is: When do you start spraying Bt on your plants for caterpilars, and when do you stop spraying it?

I would appreciate days into life cycle then days into flower for reference rather than dates.

Thanks

 

[CheifnBud2]

Nobody knows?

 

[Limeygreen]

Depends where you live and what caterpillar it is, if it is cabbage looper or european corn borer. For me at least they start to fly between half may to start june and go all the way until fall, although in the fall they are slower with the lower heat units, usually they like more tender growth at this time from what I have seen. My last frost is usually around half may or so safely put, and first is usually end october or start november.

 

[CheifnBud2]

for example a grower from southern or northern california. I was thinking i will start spraying about 2 weeks into veg and then stop about 3 weeks into flower.

I will also be getting wasp cards and using monterey garden spray (spinosad).

 

[Mountain Sprout]

We start spraying early in budding, like August 15, and alternate fresh bt (buy it at a store that sells lots of it and keep it out of the heat) and spinosad. We continue until the buds start to get solid, around sept 20. It works. Last year we had only 1 cat per 15 plants, all on cherry pies. We went 100% pesticide free last year except for cat control.

 

[Kygiacomo!!!]

u can use neem oil instead of Bt all thur veg and it will kill them and a hell of alot more. neem oil is systemic as well so it stays in the plant about 50 days which is better for long term prevention of pests. u can also use Ogbiowar which has all kinds of good biological things in it that kill not only cats but other pests on the plant. the folair pack has 2 different strains if BT in it. spinosad also works great as mountain sprout said. gl

 

[eighty9concentr]

I do the same as sprout, I use monterey BT.

 

[CheifnBud2]

Thanks guys.