someone said put plastic bags over some of the leaves to keep the caterpillars at bay so they dont decimate the plant totally. Would these bags need holes to provide fresh air? What percentage of the leaves would you cover?
maclad,
Nov 8, 9:24pm
Don't see how that works as firstly 'pillars eat as much as they need to complete metamorphosis. Secondly, plastic bags will compromise your plants, too much heat and moisture and they will suffer. I think best way is to use digital control, squishing eggs with your fingers when you have more 'pillars than your plant can sustain. You could net your plants with curtain netting stopping both more egg laying Monarchs and decimating paper wasps, if you are lucky. Nice to see you care as Monarchs are definitely in need of some sort of help.
maclad,
Nov 8, 9:25pm
The heat and moisture inside plastic bags would kill your 'pillars very quickly.
lettice,
Nov 8, 9:26pm
You could net the plant with cheap netting from the garden centre, or one of those woven plant protection cloths. The cloths would be less likely to entangle adult butterflies.
schnauzer11,
Aug 5, 12:44pm
Dreadful idea. Make a mesh screen, or just drape over plants.
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