anton_ Posted September 3, 2014 (edited) Hi everyone,It's that time of year again when I roll the dice and test my luck with herb seedlings.I've been mostly successful with oregano, mint, thyme and parsley in the past, until they get caterpillars. And it's always the same type, and they eat all the god-damn leaves. Bright green squishy caterpillars.The thing is, while I'd love to go into Rambo mode and spray pyretherin everywhere, I'm unsure I'd like to be eating this stuff myself, much less other non-organic pesticides.Can anyone recommend an effective/safe alternative?I've already tried a mixture of soap, water and finely chopped birds-eye chilies which I let infuse for a while before spraying. Using this did seem to work for a while (and I can personally vouch for it's strength -- don't spray this downwind -- ), until the plants were invaded by more sneaky hellbugs (although it seemed to keep aphids away, at least!). It probably just made the plants tastier and/or the caterpillars very angry... Edited September 3, 2014 by antonsyd Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coolname Posted September 3, 2014 Pyrethrum is good. You just have to wait a week or two before eating anything you have sprayed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DiscoStu Posted September 3, 2014 (edited) nicotine i hear is one of the most potent natural toxins there is edit: or neem Edited September 3, 2014 by bot6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anton_ Posted September 3, 2014 nicotine i hear is one of the most potent natural toxins there is edit: or neem Haha... But, is it safe for me to be eating? I've already quit smoking! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anton_ Posted September 3, 2014 edit: or neem Hey thanks, neem looks interesting... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anton_ Posted September 3, 2014 Pyrethrum is good. You just have to wait a week or two before eating anything you have sprayed Is this because the pyrethrin is broken down enough by then so I can eat the herbs safely? At that point, shouldn't I need to re-apply it? Can do for cuttings which I can dry out in a container, but for fresh herbs, hmmm... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt1208 Posted September 3, 2014 I'd go for neem oil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
franky Posted September 3, 2014 Just food for thought, I have not found a registered product containing the two main active constituents of neem for vegetables in Australia. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anton_ Posted September 3, 2014 Just food for thought, I have not found a registered product containing the two main active constituents of neem for vegetables in Australia. Hmm, I'll look into whether or not it's safe to eat, or if it just isn't in common usage here -- by the look of it, it's been used in Asia for some time but little elsewhere. ps. I just found this thread with links to lots of info and even e-books...! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
franky Posted September 3, 2014 it's been used in india for yonks!! I still use it on my plants, I just thought it was something worth mentioning as generally there is a reason why a chemical would not be registered here in Aus, obv it might be cost related. I also have not had a problem using Natrasoap, I really like the coverage you get from soapy insecticides. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coolname Posted September 3, 2014 Is this because the pyrethrin is broken down enough by then so I can eat the herbs safely? At that point, shouldn't I need to re-apply it? Can do for cuttings which I can dry out in a container, but for fresh herbs, hmmm... Yes it breaks down eventually and you need to reapply it unless you are going to eat/smoke whatever you have grown 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freewheelin Posted September 3, 2014 We are having trouble with tiny little green bugs eating our chlli plants, so i made a disgusting concontion by boiling up a handful of old cigarette butts and straining it. I diluted the mixture to about 50/50 and added a little detergent. This spray is disgusting but it is working. Also I believe that planting tobacco plants around other plants helps to keep insects away, as do neem trees, citronella, pyrethrum etc... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
franky Posted September 3, 2014 I thought insects can break pyrethtum down as well why alot of mixtures have other chemicals so it does more than literally just knock down pests Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DiscoStu Posted September 3, 2014 found a book lying on the floor, this is what is says about nicotine: nicotine is a highly poisonous alkaloid, extracted from special tobacco selected for its high nicotine content. when used as an insecticide nicotine products are poisonous to most plant pests, including aphids, mealy bugs,scales, and spider mites. however, nicotine is also highly toxic to mammals when taken internally or absorbed through the skin - more toxic, in fact, than many synthetic pesticides. it remains toxic on leaf surfaces for several weeks after an application. also, nicotine products may contain the pathogen which causes tobacco mosaic virus in related plants, including eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes. for these reasons, commercially and homemade nicotine sprays and dusts are no longer recommended for use in organic gradens, choose safer control measures such as insecticidal soap or neem sprays to control pests." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DiscoStu Posted September 4, 2014 you can get neem seed oil from ebay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freewheelin Posted September 4, 2014 found a book lying on the floor, this is what is says about nicotine: Interesting What does it say about bong water? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Optimystic Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) the active in Neem or at least one of them is known as Azadirachtin, a product I am quite happy with that has multiple uses im surprised it even worked a bit with flea beetles on gojis and I thought nothing worked for flea beetles lol i've also used it for root drenching cacti to rid of root mealies and it worked good at a medium dose... in fact i've never done the full dose the product I got is called azamax but there are other brands.. unfortunately its a bit expensive for few rows of plants but if its not that many plants could be worth it.. says its safe to eat same day as spraying but me personally i'd wait a few daze or wash it off good lol usually have to treat a couple times with it for any major infestation, maybe every week or two but it repels, kills eggs and stops eaters from maturing.. for aphids insecticidal soap works fine ... i have a bit of an aphid issue on mints n the spring but they go away not sure about caterpillars I have a love hate relationship w/those buggers.. just in a quick search about azamax and see someone said it does the trick Edited September 4, 2014 by Spine Collector Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
franky Posted September 4, 2014 Neonicotinoids are a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicotine. from wiki the active constituent in confidor falls in this class of chemicals Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
