Try burning sage under the tree...
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| What's eating my bay trees? http://www.cookaholics.org/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=2250 |
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| Author: | TheFuzzy [ Sun May 06, 2012 11:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | What's eating my bay trees? |
Each spring, when my bay trees put out their new leaves and try to grow up a bit, they get attacked by a small, green worm. This catepillar is around 1/4" to 1/2" inch long, translucent bright green, and forms little white webby cocoons around itself during the day, curling a leaf around to protect itself. These worms are devastating my bay trees. They seem to only be able to eat the tender young leaves, but they eat all of those, preventing my bay trees from every growing. What is this worm, and how do I fight it off? I've been googling hard to no avail. |
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| Author: | jeanf [ Mon May 07, 2012 7:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What's eating my bay trees? |
I have no idea, but have you tried asking as a local garden centre? They may know. |
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| Author: | pepperhead212 [ Mon May 07, 2012 10:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What's eating my bay trees? |
I'll post this on a gardening site I go on every day, and see if anyone knows this thing. Meanwhile, you can make a good all around homemade organic bug spray by blending 2 cloves garlic, 2 cloves, 4 dried Thai or Chinese hot peppers, a 3" sprig of rosemary with 1 qt water for a couple of minutes, then strain through a fine filter. Then blend this 1 tb oil (neem oil, if you have some) with just enough dish detergent (pref. a no scent brand) to emulsify it. Then spray it all over the plant, and it should keep most things off, and kill what is on there. Hopefully, you'll only have to do this in the early spring, or you'll be getting other flavors with your bay leaves! BTW, I got one response so far, and the guy suggested contacting your County Extension Agency, and that sometimes they can ID things like that over the phone; otherwise, take a sample in for them to ID. Maybe it's something common, that gets on other things, as well. |
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| Author: | pepperhead212 [ Tue May 08, 2012 8:46 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What's eating my bay trees? |
Here's another response: Pepperhead, that description sounds like the Leaf Roller caterpillar that we have here. When out of control, they can take down a cucurbit plant pretty quick. They are named leaf roller because they eat a while, then curl over a leaf with webbing and form a small brown cocoon to change. I solved the problems I had with them by spraying BT. Took 2 years of somewhat regular spraying to really knock down the recurring population, but I haven't seen any this year yet. You might have him look up Leaf Roller. Hope this helps. |
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| Author: | TheFuzzy [ Wed May 09, 2012 12:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What's eating my bay trees? |
Dave, Yeah, I've been told BT by others; I guess I'll get some. |
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| Author: | Da Bull Man [ Wed May 09, 2012 8:10 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What's eating my bay trees? |
Try burning sage under the tree...
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| Author: | TheFuzzy [ Wed May 09, 2012 11:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What's eating my bay trees? |
Frank, Was that serious? Because I have a lot of sage ... |
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| Author: | Da Bull Man [ Thu May 10, 2012 8:44 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What's eating my bay trees? |
When have you known me to be serious...   The birds might like them more with the added flavoring. |
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| Author: | wino [ Thu May 10, 2012 11:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What's eating my bay trees? |
Uh, Frank, did it get a little crowded under the rock   Y'ur mighty chatty as of late   
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| Author: | Da Bull Man [ Thu May 10, 2012 11:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What's eating my bay trees? |
Fear not...I start traveling again next week. |
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