Bacillus thuringiensis

[Beryl]

Can anyone answer this question for me please?
I think it is a pesticide.

Do gardeners in England use Bacillus thuringiensis (sold in Australia under the brand name of Dipel)?

Thanks
Beryl.

[Beryl]

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's a bacterium which kills caterpillars; there are different strains for different types. I've used Certan to kill greater wax moths (a pest of beekeeping). They vanished overnight and I haven't needed it again.

[tim]

bt, sadly, is no longer available in the UK - to the best of my knowledge.

[wardy]

Yes it is available in the UK.  I've seen it for sale but it's dear - about £34 odd for 500 grams

If you just Google (UK) it comes up with the supplier and you can order off the internet.  A west country firm (JFC Monro)

[tim]

Thanks for that - I know that all the regular suppliers have discontinued it. For some safety reason??

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's not cheap - none of these things is - but Thorne's (who charge the earth) are still selling Certan at £9.72+VAT for 120ml. I haven't tried it, but I have it on good authority that you can make your own BT culture by taking some of the diseased caterpillars, mashing them up in milk, and keeping the mixture in the fridge. I don't know how long it stores for, but a small bottle should do for a season at least if you do that.

[wardy]

I could just imagine me trying to explain away squashed caterpillars in me fridge to the Health Inspector  ;D ;D