Caterpiller problems

hi
Its my first year growing and I'm having problems with caterpillers on my peppers and radishes. I have been using a chilli,garlic, soap mix but although it has kept my tomatoes clear of pests it has not bothered the catapillers. I dont want to use a chemical pesticide on them so can anyone recommend an alternative.

Many thanks in advance

 

Bit late now, but a fine mesh net (earlier in the season) to prevent the butterfly getting to the plants is probably the best answer.

Picking the blighters off is probably the next line of attack

 

Thanks for your fast response. There are hundreds of little catapillers so can only hope to wash them off and remove badly effected leaves, but I will be ready for them next year.

Thanks once again

 

I shouldn't bother to remove heavily munched leaves - unless that is the only way to get the critters off. Even a well chewed leaf will be providing some energy for the plant. If the leaf turns yellow etc. then remove it. The plant is going to need all the leaf area it can get to recover.

 

Nicotine spray. But we've done this before. Try the "Search" bit