Cabbage worms are bothersome pests that can quickly erase vegetables in numbers. The key to getting a productive harvest is to keep an eye on these worms and other insects that like to eat vegetation.
Soap is an all-around solution for pests, but will dish soap kill cabbage worms? Here’s the lowdown on this easy DIY answer to cabbage worms and similar insects.
Can I Use Dish Soap on Cabbage Worms?
The truth is that yes, dish soap can kill cabbage worms, and quickly too. It’s said that once dish soap makes contact with a cabbage worm, it only takes around 30 minutes or so to destroy them.
Active ingredients, including enzymes, attack bacteria and insects, which include garden pests. Dish soap, specifically the liquid varieties, are some of the cheapest and most effective pesticides around. Plus, they’re safe to use even if you have children or pets wandering about in your home or garden.
How to Use Dish Soap to Kill Cabbage Worms
Dish soap can be used by its lonesome or paired with other household ingredients to destroy worms in your cabbage plants and vegetables.
The simplest way to use dish soap is to put a tablespoon of it in a gallon of clean water and into a sprayer. Mix the solution well, then transfer to a spray container and apply it to your cabbage plants. Spray the plants thoroughly and don’t forget the underside of the leaves where cabbage worms typically hide.
You can also use dish soap with vinegar and water to kill cabbage worms and similar pests. Measure about a cup of vinegar and a tablespoon of dish soap in a gallon of water and apply it in a similar fashion. Spray it thoroughly on your cabbage plants, their leafy undersides, and on the surface of the soil, then let the chemical enzymes do the work.
Since dish soap solution is safe on plants you can do this every few days to eradicate cabbage worm infestations. It’s recommended that you follow the measurements so it won’t be strong or potent enough to harm your vegetables.
Other Ways to Kill Cabbage Worms Easily
Inspect and Hand Pick Worms Off Your Cabbage Plant
This method is even cheaper than using dish soap- all you need is to inspect your cabbage plants for the presence of worms, then pick them off the plant by hand and drop them in water with soap.
Cabbage worms tend to blend in the foliage, so you may need to get closer to see them. They’re usually found hiding underneath the leaves or at the base of the plant, and some in the soil.
If you don’t want to use soapy water you can just crush the pests using a hard object, such as a stone or your fingers.
Use Neem Oil
Neem oil is an excellent organic alternative and can kill not just cabbage worms but also other pests, such as aphids and bugs. It’s safe to use on herbs and vegetables and won’t harm beneficial insects and pets.
It’s worth noting that neem oil is both a pesticide and insecticide. It’s recommended that you follow instructions as stated on the label so you won’t harm your cabbage plants in the process. Spray liberally on the foliage and soil in the early morning or early evening so it won’t evaporate quickly. You can also add a drop of liquid dish soap to make the solution stick to the cabbage leaves for longer.
Prevention is Better than Cure
Last but not least, you can prevent cabbage worms from snacking on your vegetable garden by exercising these options:
Till the Soil Before Planting.
Tilling may seem unimportant, but it’s very effective in keeping cabbage worms at bay.
Remove Weeds and Debris.
Weeds and hiding places are attractive to worms, and they might have a reason to stay if the environment is like this.
Mulch.
One of the benefits of mulching is not only to keep the soil moist but to keep insects away from your plants as well.
Use a Row Cover.
Row covers can shield your cabbage plants from pests. You can create a larger cover to hold all your fruits and vegetables or create a mini-greenhouse to protect only your cabbages.