Best Time to Use BT Caterillar for Outdoor

I was just wondering when is the best time to start using BT catepillar on your outdoor plants. I was going to use it and a mosquitoe net this year. All thoughts and sugestions welcome.
dirrty

when buds first start to form.

the moths lay eggs on the buds. the eggs hatch and the caterpillars crawl into the bud. once the caterpillar is within the bud it is almost impossible to kill. unless you hand pluck them out.

I use Bt as soon as these,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiery_skipper

appear in my garden.

The skipper butterfly seems to be the source of bud worms; at least in my area.

Last year, they appeared very early, in mid May.

I apply Bt about every three weeks, until a month into flowering.

Last year I found one live caterpillar, and another that was dead.

Please use this stuff sparingly. It works almost TOO well, endangering all species of butterflies.

I apply it to any plant that is affected by caterpillars, but avoid spraying flowering plants whose flowers attract butterflies.

fdd2blk said:

when buds first start to form.

the moths lay eggs on the buds. the eggs hatch and the caterpillars crawl into the bud. once the caterpillar is within the bud it is almost impossible to kill. unless you hand pluck them out.

Click to expand...

Fdd is right. I get them every year..those caterpillars love my snowcap

Thanks guys for your responses I just wanted too verify the timing. Hope this thread helps more than just me this year.

fdd2blk said:

when buds first start to form.

the moths lay eggs on the buds. the eggs hatch and the caterpillars crawl into the bud. once the caterpillar is within the bud it is almost impossible to kill. unless you hand pluck them out.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I waited a bit too long, and some got into my buds and of course, the hornworms on my tomato plants.

What about indoors? I had to come inside, both for security reasons and it also seemed my plants had a big "EAT HERE" sign above them.

Guess I could hit them. At least I won't have to worry about the rain washing the BT off.

Wet

bump anymore thoughts looks like it will be a weird weather year.