BT Question?

Jetstar · June 21, 2019

I like using BT for my tomato, cabbage, peppers & cukes for caterpillars & moths larva, last year I had Japanese beetles for the 1st time. I used sevien powder and it took care of them but I'd like to try a milder cure will BT offer any relief? If not any recommendations?

GoDawgs · June 22, 2019

I don't believe so. It's main targets are the worm-like critters but there is the variation for use on Colorado Potato Beetles. Haven't heard of a variation targeting JB's.

This year the JB's have totally ignored the roses (that's a first) and are working hard on the pole bean leaves at the top of the trellis (never done that before). And on the eggplant. Go figure. I can't reach the trellis top so knocking them off into a soap water cup doesn't work. And although I do that with the eggplant, more just arrive so it's pretty useless.

jtjmartin · June 22, 2019

BT will not control adult Japanese beetles. However, spinosad - another bacterial based control - should. I started using Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew this year.

Jeff

Country Breeze · June 23, 2019

Spinosad is one alternative. Another that I use is Cold Pressed Neem oil. Neem oil works great for chewing insects like Japanese beetles. It also works as a contact control for sucking insects and some diseases. I will use BT, Neem, and spinosad through the year depending on what problems I am seeing.

June 21, 2019	#1
Jetstar Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: N.E. Wisconsin Posts: 308	BT Question? I like using BT for my tomato, cabbage, peppers & cukes for caterpillars & moths larva, last year I had Japanese beetles for the 1st time. I used sevien powder and it took care of them but I'd like to try a milder cure will BT offer any relief? If not any recommendations? Last edited by Jetstar; June 21, 2019 at 07:21 PM.

June 22, 2019	#2
GoDawgs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Augusta area, Georgia, 8a/7b Posts: 1,685	I don't believe so. It's main targets are the worm-like critters but there is the variation for use on Colorado Potato Beetles. Haven't heard of a variation targeting JB's. This year the JB's have totally ignored the roses (that's a first) and are working hard on the pole bean leaves at the top of the trellis (never done that before). And on the eggplant. Go figure. I can't reach the trellis top so knocking them off into a soap water cup doesn't work. And although I do that with the eggplant, more just arrive so it's pretty useless.

June 22, 2019	#3
jtjmartin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2016 Location: Williamsburg VA Zone 7b Posts: 1,110	BT will not control adult Japanese beetles. However, spinosad - another bacterial based control - should. I started using Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew this year. Jeff

June 23, 2019	#4
Country Breeze Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: On The Mason Dixon Posts: 93	Spinosad is one alternative. Another that I use is Cold Pressed Neem oil. Neem oil works great for chewing insects like Japanese beetles. It also works as a contact control for sucking insects and some diseases. I will use BT, Neem, and spinosad through the year depending on what problems I am seeing.