catterpillar and grasshopper

I have been reading up this afternoon an item from the man who talks on tropicals from Australian Gardens [ the one on TV] he says make a mix 50/50
water and molasses and spray the plants .Caterpillars or grasshoppers eating the plants don't like sticky leaves and they retreat. Worth a try ,and won't cost much.

Thanks Gwen, might give it a try in summer when they hoppers are around as I've got some molasses... be a bit sticky mixing it up and cleaning out the spray bottle though

That's very Interesting to know Gwen... Thanks

Gail Myself Ireckon 50/50 is far too much. I would start at a tablespoon molasses to 2 liters water and try that first.

This is from Annette Mc Farlanes website
She is on the radio every Saturday morning



http://www.annettemcfarlane.com/pestID.htm

Molasses Spray
Dissolve one tablespoon of molasses into a litre of warm water.
Add one teaspoon of Sunlight dish washing liquid or other pure liquid soap

Spray regularly over the leaves of all plants attacked by caterpillars and other chewing pests. Caterpillars would rather starve than eat leaves sprayed with this mixture. It has also been used with success by some gardeners as a possum repellent and for the treatment of soil affected by root knot nematodes by doubling the concentration of molasses.

I was pretty much right with my measurement guess, adding the detergent would also help. I used to mix my own white oil years ago, that was so easy and cheap ,cooking oil ,water and detergent . EASY TO GOOGLE A RECIPE.The detergent helps the liquis stick to the leaves.Thanks Marlene.