How do you deal with aphid/caterpillars - any pest really!

[BeBe48]

Hi All
I had a bad year for cabbage white fly last year and wondered how you all deal with the blighter. I have tried very fine mesh but that just seemed to contain them so I tried netting last year but that just lets butterflies in. Spraying does nothing and not too keen on that anyway. If I dont crack it this year I give up. Help!!

[Small pumpkin]

All I can suggest is net them the day you plant them. Don't give them a chance to get established. Keep them netted for the whole season.
Think I'm going to have a problem with them this year. There is a lot of cabbage whites about.

My method is inspect and squish very regularly. It's a bit time consuming but net wouldn't stay on long ( it gets a bit breezy! ), no matter how well I secured it.

[Bren In Pots]

I do the same as SP, even go as far as netting them as soon as they emerge as seedlings.

[muddy_shoes]

Debris netting over vulnerable beds. Spreading planting around to avoid making large targets. Regular inspection and manual removal. Stoic acceptance that things will be nibbled.

[BeBe48]

Thanks guys. One more try this year��

[mothhawk]

Same as everyone else with the caterpillars - cover and hand pick. With aphids I leave them and wait for the ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies. They can clear my garden of aphids in a week, especially off runner beans, and they do seem to get every single one. Better than I could do, though I do squish my fingers along the worst covered rose buds so the flowers don't get too damaged before the predators get going.

[Gillykat]

I'm the same as Mothhawk - work WITH Nature In the four years I've had my plot I've never had any aphids issues (watch me just put a hex on my beans now hahaha) - they ARE there but only in small numbers because the predators keep them in check. Grow nasturtium, poached egg plant (Limnanthes douglasii), californian poppies, borage and marigolds next to your veg and you'll be fine

With brassicas I cover with netting as soon as I plant them out but my main 'predator' seems to the neighbour's fancy pigeons - the Large White butterflies seem, to prefer laying on nasturtiums.

Don't give up though....you'll probably have AWESOME cabbages this summer and the Little Munchers will go after something else

[bikermike]

What everyone said above

some other thoughts
build a bug hotel for good bugs
dilute washing-up spray will dislodge most insects that tap into plants
crop rotation to minimise any thing that survives from one season to the next
plant extra to allow for losses
accept that things will be nibbled