Kale is very robust, but unfortunately not completely immune to pests and diseases. Below you will find out which pests most often attack kale, how you can prevent an infestation and successfully get rid of pests.
How can you prevent and control kale pests?
Kale pests such as cabbage white butterfly, whitefly, cabbage fly and flea beetle can be combated preventatively through adequate irrigation, nutrient supply and planting aromatic plant neighbors around the kale. If infested, remove affected leaves and spray with natural products - soft soap solution, nicotine or neem oil.
Prevent pest infestation
It is always easier to prevent pests than to combat them. The following applies: A strong, he althy kale is less susceptible to pests. So pay attention to:
- regular watering (this also helps against flea beetles)
- sufficient nutrient supply (horn shavings (€52.00 on Amazon))
Furthermore, fertilization with nettle manure strengthens the kale and prevents pests. A vegetable net is also useful if you have heard of fly infestation in the area.
Plant neighbors that keep pests away
It's particularly clever to combine kale with plants that don't like pests. These primarily include strongly aromatic plants such as:
- Basil
- Borage
- Dill
- Eberraute
- Celeriac
- Paradeiser
- Peppermint
- Radish
- Marigolds
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Mustard
- Tagetes
- Thyme
The biggest enemies of kale
Kale is most commonly attacked by the cabbage white butterfly, the whitefly (cabbage moth), the cabbage fly and the flea beetle. Caterpillars of all kinds also like to eat kale. How to tell which pest is bothering your kale:
- Cabbage white butterfly: White butterfly that lays its eggs on the underside of leaves. The caterpillars eat the leaves
- Whitefly: eggs on the underside of leaves; secrete sticky substance
- Cabbage fly: similar to house flies, the maggots eat the roots; the plant dies
- Flea beetle: eat holes in the leaves and roots
What to do if you have a pest infestation?
As with any pest infestation, kale should be de alt with as quickly as possible. The sooner you discover the pests and the quicker you act, the more likely it is that you will get rid of the insects. A first step is to remove and dispose of the severely infested leaves (if possible not on the compost heap next to them bed!). Then it is sprayed:
Fight pests naturally
Since you ultimately want to eat your vegetables, chemical pesticides are strongly discouraged. Even if the manufacturers like to say otherwise, all chemical sprays are suspected of causing serious diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, allergies and others. Therefore, resort to biological remedies, which are much cheaper and just as efficient. The following remedies are available to combat the above-mentioned pests:
- Soap solution
- Nicotine (from old cigarettes or tobacco plants), possibly with a little spirit
- Water with neem oil
Tip
Your kale is infested with whitefly and you want to know if you can still eat it? Find out here.