i was reading the bt post...i think i bought the wrong bt...i bought what is called thurmicide for seams like more for the worm bug family...its for canker worm, tomato horn worm, cabbage worm and so on...i have 3 types of bugs plus eggs...1 bug looks like a very tiny moth...it is triangular in shape and has 2 long either legs or antenna in the front...2nd. bug is a small oval green critter that looks like a crab...3rd. bug looks like 1/2 bug and 1/2 worm...he is larger then the others and light purple in color with 3 little dots on each side of his cheeks...it looks like he has a body and a thick tail...he also fly's...he almost flew in my mouth...no i do not have superman vision i used a 20 power head lens to see them...can some one please help me identify these critters and is thurmicide the right spray to use...i already tried hot pepper spray and organic neem...thank you for taking the time to read this...have a nice day...migraine

i also forgot to put they are only eating my peppers and eggplant...my swiss chard, lettuce, and tomatoes are next to them but not affected...thanks again...migraine

Unless I'm mistaken, Bt, no matter which strain, is pretty much only for the larval stage of certain moths. I am aware of a strain that is specific for mosquito larva but it is still only for the larva.

The idea is that the bulk of the damage to plants is done by the larva of these critters, that the adult stages. You spray or dust your plants with Bt and the caterpillars consume the Bt with the plant that they are eating. It makes them sick within a few hours and they stop eating. Then the Bt in their stomach begins to eat them from the inside out. Bt will stop them but only at the larva stage.

Another suggestion would be to use Pyrethrin. This is VERY effective but unfortunately kills the beneficials as well so it should only be used in extreme circumstances. Especially since the bees are really busy at this time of year. If I have to use it, I only apply it late in the evening, just before sundown. I think some folks say you can even apply it just before sunrise but I think you'd still chance on taking some of the bees out.

Bonide makes a Rotenone & Pyrethrin mixture that works particularly well and is all organic.

Hope this helps!!

Is it "Thuricide"? That is one brand of Bacillus thuringiensis - Kurstaki and is the strain for leaf eating insects.
There are several different strains of BT (BTI, BTSD), developed to target specific insects as well as BTK.


Message was edited by: KimmSr

Migraine: The Thuricide is the correct product to use on those "worms"; they are in fact caterpillars. You need to find a web site or book with good photos to help id those bugs. THE ORGANIC GARDNER'S HANDBOOK OF NATURAL INSECT AND DISEASE CONTROL edited by Ellis and Bradley has good pictures. Hopefully others will post web sites.