![cat safe insecticide Spinosad and BT](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/15db3b_b3add260e95b422397e231fdc2a189ab~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/15db3b_b3add260e95b422397e231fdc2a189ab~mv2.jpg)
Please contact your vet before using any chemicals around your pets!
I love growing canna lilies. Last year I had three different varieties including longtime favorite King Humpert and two newer varieties, Tropicana and Tropicana Black. They started the season great and quickly produced blooms. Then I noticed that some of the new shoots wouldn't unfurl and produce leaves. On closer inspection they appeared to have been sewn shut with spider web silk. When I cleared away the web and opened the leaves, I found a small caterpillar nesting inside. If left unmanaged, they damaged the plant to the point that it wouldn't bloom. The leaves were also left riddled with holes. I tried to control them with neem and pyrethrin which did nothing.
Pictures: Tropicana Black lilies on the left with hyssop on either end. Tropicana "classic" in the middle. Flowering border on the right with Tropicana Black and King Humpert in the distance.
After some additional reading I found out the pest eating my lilies was called a "leaf roller" caterpillar and that they could be challenging to control. I read about two pesticides which could be useful. The first called Spinosad is a pesticide derived from chemicals found in a species of soil bacteria, Saccharopolyspora spinosa. It kills certain insects by acting on their nervous system. The second is also a bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, or BT for short. BT works by stopping insects from feeding and eventually killing them. BT must be ingested to work whereas Spinosad has some effect on contact. Both are considered safe for organic gardening and also safe for cats and most other animals.
You can buy formulations of both at garden stores and online. I've included a link below . After alternating between both formulas this year, I've only noticed a couple of infestations which I've been able to quickly control. My lilies look great. Even better is that I don't have to worry about my cat's safety. I still go out of my way to spray when my animals are inside however, I feel better knowing that if my curious tabby's brush up against a leaf sprayed with either chemical, there won't be any issues.
A couple of things to note. Both of these chemicals have the potential to kill beneficial insects including bees, butterflies and butterfly caterpillars. I typically avoid spraying near my pollinator plants and mostly use them only on lilies. BT is primarily used for caterpillar control Spinosad however, can kill a broader variety of insects. I've read that when Spinosad dries, it poses much less of a threat to bees and beneficial insects. Still, apply with caution. It's also interesting that some cat flea and tick formulations contain Spinosad which further demonstrates its safety for our feline friends. One last recommendation: Please do your own research and contact your vet before applying any chemical near your pets! Thanks for reading!
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