Controlling Caterpillars With Bt
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ in a Minute
Episode Archive
Episode #52 | Original Air Date: May 12, 2020
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Transcript
Hungry caterpillars can be serious pests in the garden, but you can manage them naturally with a product known as Bt.
The name “Bt” is an abbreviation for a bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis that’s found in soil and acts as a natural insecticide.
If you choose to manage caterpillars in your garden, Bt is a good option because it is poisonous to caterpillars but safe for other animals. Bt works by interfering with the digestive systems of caterpillars.
Different strains of Bt control different insect larvae. Look for the type that targets caterpillars that feed on vegetables, trees, and shrubs.
You may need to apply Bt more than once to eliminate pest populations.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ in a Minute is a production of the University of Florida’s Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program, IFAS Extension, and WUFT-FM in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
