If I remember correctly it is not rain fast so you probably need to reapply. Sorry. At least the plants got watered.

Yeah, you'll have to reapply. We've been getting hammered by T-storm after T-storm here and caterpillars have been attacking most of my plants starting at dusk. Most of them are small armyworms but there was some pretty large poopage on one of my toms. Yesterday we got a break and I sprayed everything with Bt. It stayed dry until the middle of the night and now we're getting hammered again. Hopefully the little buggers got their fill of the Bt last night before the rain, but I'll have to spray again when we get another break in the weather.

Sigh. Ok. I hate wasting money, I don't have much to spend on my garden right now, but I want my green beans! I'll reapply as soon as the weather clears up. There's a possible tropical storm on the way though maybe coming this weekend, so that pretty much stinks.

Is there anything else I can do to rid the caterpillars? I have been picking them off, but it seems like such a daunting task! I'd like to keep things as organic as possible.

Thanks!

(PS, I'm learning so much from this forum, I'd never heard of bt until researching here and would have been at a loss for how to try to save my plants if it weren't for this forum, you people are awesome!)

We have been getting thunder storm after thunder storm for the past week. It is looking like at least 4 days with out rain so I am going out to spray bt and neem , and lay down some more sluggo this morning.

I have seen a larger variety of insects this year than I ever have, but I also have spiders and predatory wasps everywhere, so the damage is relatively minimal so far. I am actually more worried about fungal diseases.

Netting/screen over your plants?

Aha! That may prevent eggs from being laid in the first place, right? I'll take a look around for some tomorrow after work and give it a try, thanks!

Tulle works well as a cover over brassicas, etc. It is known as illusion bridal veiling. Get it cheap at joann fabrics. You can lay it over the plants and fasten it down with ground staples. It is quite wide so you can puddle it on the ground and as the plants grow they will take up the slack.
Keksi

Joann Fabrics doesn't have a monopoly on tulle. It can be found in any fabric outlet that sells dress making supplies.

"Joann Fabrics doesn't have a monopoly on tulle. It can be found in any fabric outlet that sells dress making supplies."

Even Walmart(if it has a fabric section).

If you have an AC Moore or Michaels craft store go online and print their weekly coupon. Typically it is for 40-50% off a regular priced item. They carry tulle by the foot if you want to try that route.
Kim

Here is a link that might be useful: My Organic Garden

I used to find alot of tulle at thrift stores or a yard sale. It makes great crochetted scrubbies. Anyway, bt takes a few days to kill the caterpillars after they eat it. It dosn't work as well on the big ones as it does the little ones. If you have tomato hornworms, you need to hand pick them.

I never thought of tulle but I can see how it would work. I use row covers for my carrots. I put it on when they are emerging from the ground and leave it on all summer. It sure works to keep the carrot rust fly from laying eggs. We used to have lots of maggoty carrots. Now when we pull our carrots there is no maggot damage. We don't have much of a problem with other bugs in the garden but If I did i'd use them on other things too. In my opinion the best cure for bugs is prevention before they become a problem

A friend of mine who is a butterfly expert begs people not to use Bt. Stick with row covers of some sort.