How to stop insects eating Begonia leaves?

Question

What can I try to stop insects eating the leaves of begonias?

Regards

Gary from Armadale

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @GaryArmadale,

Those neat semi-circle cut-outs in the leaves are a classic sign of caterpillar feeding rather than general insect damage.

Caterpillars tend to feed at night, which is why you might not see them during the day. The best approach is:

* Go out in the evening or after dark when they’re active
* Spray the plant with Dipel (Bt – Bacillus thuringiensis)

Dipel is a natural biological control that specifically targets caterpillars. They ingest it when feeding, and it stops them pretty quickly without harming beneficial insects, pets, or people.

A couple of extra tips:

* Spray both sides of the leaves for good coverage
* Reapply after rain or as per the label
* Check the plant at night with a torch. You’ll often spot the culprits

That should get things under control.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell