[LottyLouis]

I didn't net my brussels...duh...but I shall next year! I pick big fat monsters off them every day so my question is - is there a season for eggs/butterflies/caterpillars? Will there be a magical time soon when I've seen the last of them - so my brussels can mature without the need for a daily picking-off session???   

[BabbyAnn]

I'm still seeing white flutterbies so presumably very active.  I can remember September being the worst month for cabbage white caterpillars ... probably because at that point they were bigger and doing a lot more damage in a short space of time.  Don't forget that even when the season ends and winter approaches, they haven't truly gone away but into hibernation

[LottyLouis]

Darn things. I've been reading about bacillus thuringiensis (!)...apparently a bacterial component in an insecticide specifically aimed at caterpillars. It's claimed that it doesn't harm ladybugs and other pollinators. I've yet to visit my local garden centre to track it down. Anyone tried it?   

[Yorkie]

This active ingredient is only licensed for professional use and therefore the forum cannot endorse or condone its use.

[LottyLouis]

Ah - thought it might turn out to be one of those, Yorkie! 
Darn it - sounded a bit too easy! Ah well - back to the bending regime then and roll out the netting for next year. Thanks for info.        

[mumofstig]

There's a Nemasys  treatment for caterpillars though

http://www.greengardener.co.uk/product.asp?id_pc=22&cat=62&id_product=250

[LotuSeed]

It's legal and readily available here in The States. I've never used it though, not really a fan of killing anything.

[Snoop]

Gosh, Yorkie. That's a surprise. It's readily available here. It's even approved for organic veg growing here, as far as I know. I shall have to look for more info to find out what the problems are. Thanks.

[LottyLouis]

Hmm..conflicting advice again! I did see it on sale in the states - but as far as killing anything is concerned - I don't like harming creatures either and was quite unhappy to note that the critters take two days to die.  But who amongst us has never used a slug pellet - or squished a blackfly or a baby caterpillar. A complex issue.   

[Yorkie]

Irrespective of the situation in other countries, LL, my advice was based on the Pesticides Register, which is the official confirmation of the situation in the UK.  https://secure.pesticides.gov.uk/pestreg/