White worm on my lantana
First year having outdoor plants, if I cut the area off and use pest control will they be okay?
#NewPlantMom #PestControl #OutdoorGrowing floweringPlants">#floweringPlants
#NewPlantMom #PestControl #OutdoorGrowing floweringPlants">#floweringPlants
5” pot with drainage
Last watered 2 days ago
4
It doesn't look like the pest has done much damage yet. As super creepy and gross as it is, you can probably just pick out the pest instead of cutting your plant. Give the pest to a spider or bird to complete the circle of life or toss into your compost (or squish it but that will be the grossest option, lol!). Then use preventative pest control for them. Do you know what the pest is?
@maci.in.bloom Hi Maci, this is actually quite dangerous. Please don’t suggest this, and never use bleach, diluted or not, on any plant! This can damage leaves, disrupt the soil, and harm any good bacteria/fungi/pollinators. 😳
@Hails42 I would echo what @ballondusoleil said. Look up what this caterpillar turns into. Since it is a white caterpillar, my money would be on a latana stick moth. Since it is an ornamental plant of yours, I would find the least biologically damaging way of dealing with this. Ie— pick it off and feed it to a crow/chickens or drop it in a bucket of soapy water. No need to bring out pest sprays, and they wouldn’t help.
@Hails42 I would echo what @ballondusoleil said. Look up what this caterpillar turns into. Since it is a white caterpillar, my money would be on a latana stick moth. Since it is an ornamental plant of yours, I would find the least biologically damaging way of dealing with this. Ie— pick it off and feed it to a crow/chickens or drop it in a bucket of soapy water. No need to bring out pest sprays, and they wouldn’t help.
@DreamMachine @ballondusoleil thank you both for the great advice 🤗