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"Biertourist":3szshhs5 wrote: My hops on the sandhill had caterpillars crawling on them (and eating them) this year; none of the hop books talk about that; I'm not sure how to kill them.[/quote:3szshhs5]
Wow, haven't heard of that. But there are dusting powders to deal with caterpillars.

Generally if you encourage ladybirds around your hop garden you'll have little problems with other bugs.

I like 'Ladybirds eat caterpillars', much like 'Cats eat mice'

An ECO way of keeping down caterpillars is to spray with mild washing up liquid solution.

"Aphids breathe through their skin, so spraying them with a solution of washing-up liquid blocks the pores of the skin and they suffocate."

See here...
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...and here...
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&amp;quot;johnrm&amp;quot;:1k0faucq wrote: An ECO way of keeping down caterpillars is to spray with mild washing up liquid solution.[/quote:1k0faucq]

(or soap) That's a common enough way to kill all aphids, i.e. by drowning. If you've a lot of plants it really helps if you spray the solution when it's raining. Not keen on it myself unless as a last resort as can kill a lot of the good bugs (e.g. ladybirds) aswell.

Diatomaceous Earth is your answer I believe... natural and will kill them off, it cuts them up IIRC...

EDIT: yep... <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="www.ghorganics.com/page9.html">www.ghorganics.com/page9.html

&amp;quot;Gues7&amp;quot;:2hyckmpf wrote: Diatomaceous Earth is your answer I believe... natural and will kill them off, it cuts them up IIRC...

EDIT: yep... <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="www.ghorganics.com/page9.html">www.ghorganics.com/page9.html[/quote:2hyckmpf]

-I believe I can acquire this cheaply from a pool supply store, but it comes with a VERY significant inhalation hazard so if anyone is thinking of it you MUST wear an appropriate breathing mask and I'd recommend goggles, too.

DE will "cut up" most any tissue it comes in contact with including your lungs.

I think this is a pretty good option for me, thanks!

Adam

Good info there Adam, was considering it when I was considering getting chickens... great for redmite... dust the coop and put your bedding on top.