One of the most popular crop groups are the crucifers. These encompass leafy vegetables such as kale and cabbage, and flowering species like broccoli and cauliflower. Each has specific pest problems which may become issues of concern in some regions more than others. Cauliflower bugs can decimate the crop and make the flower head unfit to eat. Treating bugs on cauliflower starts with correct identification of the pest and a targeted control plan that is non-toxic and safe for food plants.
Treating Bugs in Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable, delicious either cooked or raw. Common signs of an insect invasion may be holes in leaves, tracks on foliage, missing vegetation and poor vigor. Some of the larger insect pests are easy to detect but others are too small or only come out at night, and diagnosis can pose a problem. Knowing the most common cauliflower pests is a good start to vetting the problem and annihilating these annoying and destructive bugs on cauliflower plants. The most common cauliflower pests are aphids, flea beetles, slugs and snails, leaf hoppers, and several insect larva.
Sucking Insects
The one pest that is familiar to most gardeners is the aphid. These are small, soft bodied flying bugs that reduce plant health by sucking sap from leaves and stems. They also attack the succulent flower, covering it in their sticky honeydew secretion and stunting the growth of all parts of the plant. Ants may indicate their presence, since ants "farm" aphids for their honeydew. The harlequin bug is another sucking insect. Both the adult and larval stages feed on plant sap and cause foliar death. The insect is 3/8 inches (1 cm.) long, shield shaped and has distinctive red and black spots on its back. Insecticidal soap or oil is often used in controlling these cauliflower insects.
Worms, Larva and Caterpillars
Whatever the name, the larva of many insects and moths are the most destructive cauliflower bugs.
- Cabbage webworms are small 3/8 inch (1 cm.) long, green striped larva that spin webs.
- Cabbage looper is one of the rampant cauliflower bugs that is light green with yellow stripes. The larva loops when it walks. This larva will make tunnels in the cauliflower head.
- The cross-striped cabbage worm is a small gray larva with horizontal black stripes and a light green yellow mottled underbelly. Damage occurs as holes in the foliage, which can destroy the plant's ability to harvest solar energy and diminish overall health.
- An imported cabbage worm is green with a narrow orange stripe down the back.
Many parasitic wasps and Bacillus thuringiensis are useful to combat these pests.
Other Bugs on Cauliflower Plants
Slug and snail damage are characteristic with holes and slimy trails over the foliage. Pick off the pests at night or use diatomaceous earth for controlling cauliflower insects such as these. Another insect that can be repelled by diatomaceous earth is the flea beetle. The small bronze to black beetle leaves holes in foliage while its larva feed on young plant roots. Blister beetles are 3/8 inch (1 cm.) long and gray. They chew holes in leaves causing foliar death. Use pyrethrum and cultivate in spring to kill the larva. The yellow margined leaf beetle has wings bordered by gold, but its attractive appearance belies its danger to crops. Adults and larva eat the leaves of cauliflower. Use non-toxic safe methods for treating bugs in cauliflower to preserve the crop and retain its safety for eating. In addition to diatomaceous earth, horticultural oils and soaps and hand picking, the natural bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis is an excellent control. You may also purchase natural enemies in the form of beneficial nematodes and wasps.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our most popular eBook "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes."
FAQs
Sticky leaves and chewed foliage can indicate an infestation of aphids or caterpillars. These pests can quickly overrun your cauliflower if not managed. Keep an eye out for sticky residue and foliage damage. Apply neem oil or physically remove these pests to protect your plants.
How do I stop bugs from eating my cauliflower? ›
Use non-toxic safe methods for treating bugs in cauliflower to preserve the crop and retain its safety for eating. In addition to diatomaceous earth, horticultural oils and soaps and hand picking, the natural bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis is an excellent control.
How do you protect cauliflower heads? ›
Plant Care
In summer, hot sun can cause white cauliflower heads to turn yellow – to protect them, fold the leaves over the curd. In winter, protect the developing head from hard frosts in a similar way.
What is a homemade pesticide for cauliflower? ›
Make your own pest spray.
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of a mild dish detergent, and 2 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil in a gallon of water to make a solution that will repel all kinds of bugs, as well as a fungicide for blight and mildew on cauliflower plant leaves.
How do you keep bugs off broccoli and cauliflower? ›
Another option is to spray plants with BT, or Bacillus thuringiensis, a naturally occurring bacteria found in soil. After mixing powdered BT into a solution, you spray the plants; caterpillars that ingest the bacteria ultimately perish.
What can I spray on my cauliflower? ›
Yates Nature's Way Vegie Insect Spray Natrasoap - Ready to Use. A fast acting broad spectrum insecticide based on natural, low toxic and organic ingredients. It controls by contact action.
What can I spray on my vegetables to keep bugs from eating them? ›
Garlic oil spray is a great, safe insect repellent. Simply put three to four cloves of minced garlic into 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of mineral oil. Let the mixture sit overnight, and then strain the garlic out of the oil.
How do you control cauliflower disease? ›
Avoid overhead irrigation if possible, and do not irrigate using sources of water that may be contaminated with the pathogen. Destroy crop debris promptly after harvest. Fungicide applications may be necessary in some areas, and many fungicides are registered for use on cauliflower for management of downy mildew.
Why do you cover cauliflower heads? ›
Head quality can also be affected by exposure to sunlight. Curds may turn yellow if exposed to the sun, and the developing heads must be covered to prevent discoloration.
What happens if you don't cover cauliflower? ›
Not only does the cauliflower look unappetizing, the flavor is ruined, too. To blanch cauliflower, fold up the plant leaves up over the developing head so that it is completely covered and no light can reach it.
The salt and vinegar mixture will suck out all the dirt and bugs hidden inside the crevices of the cauliflower and leave you with a clean vegetable that is safe for eating.
What is the best homemade bug spray for vegetable plants? ›
To make a basic oil spray insecticide, mix one cup of vegetable oil with one tablespoon of soap (cover and shake thoroughly), and then when ready to apply, add two teaspoons of the oil spray, mix with one quart of water, shake thoroughly, and spray directly on the surfaces of the plants which are being affected by the ...
Can you use vinegar as a natural pesticide? ›
Vinegar can sometimes be effective; however, using vinegar for pest control is generally a short-term effort to control pests since it is not effective as a long-term treatment against serious pest infestations and will not keep pests completely away from your property.
How to wash broccoli to get rid of bugs? ›
Position the vegetables under running water—cold or warm, just not scorching hot. Using your hands, gently rustle the pieces to ensure they all have access to the water, or lift them right under the water flow to check for dirt, insects, or less-than-fresh parts.
How do you keep worms out of cauliflower? ›
– Pour warm water in a vessel and add a spoonful of salt. Then put the cauliflower pieces in it and leave it for a while. You will start seeing tiny worms in the water coming up. – Another tip is to mix salt and turmeric powder in lukewarm water and add cauliflowers in it.
What are the little holes in my cauliflower leaves? ›
In addition, the leaves of my broccoli, cauliflower and kale had the same problem. These small holes in leaves are telltale signs of the cabbage worm. Actually, the are several insects that cause this type of damage and are generally referred to as cabbage worms.
How do you soak cauliflower to get rid of bugs? ›
Steps for cleaning cauliflower:
If one bug is found, do not use; the likelihood is that there are more insects. Take all the floret halves and place them into a water-filled bowl / pan. Move around the florets; allow the florets to soak in the bowl / pan for five minutes.
Why soak cauliflower in salt water? ›
Cooking. To cook, use a paring knife to remove the florets from the stalk. If you are concerned about worms or insects hanging out in your organic cauliflower, soak the head in salt water for 30 minutes before cooking, then rinse with cool water.
What can I put on my cabbage to keep the bugs from eating it? ›
Growing aromatic plants amongst the cabbage-type plants — like hyssop, thyme, wormwood, celery, dill, sage and onions — will all help to confuse these insects. BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) or Dipel, if you spray each week, can also control these insects.
