Best Bug Spray For Caterpillars for Gardens and Trees

#1 · Best Overall

1. Bonide Captain Jack's BT

• Form: Spray
• Weight: 2.3 lb
• Warranty Description: Warranty

Best for: Ready-to-use vegetable gardeners.

Why it ranks #1: Ready-to-use BT lists cabbage loopers, hornworms, and tent caterpillars, and its stated plant uses span fruits, vegetables, shade trees, and ornamentals.

Ready-to-use Bt spray targets cabbage loopers, hornworms, and tent caterpillars without requiring a mixing step first. Bonide lists fruits, vegetables, shade trees, and ornamentals among its uses, giving gardeners a straightforward option for treating caterpillar-stage pests across several kinds of plantings.

Shake well, then apply directly to the tops and undersides of leaf surfaces, where caterpillars feed. The ready-to-use 32-ounce spray avoids dilution for a simple application workflow; for larger jobs, the product can instead be mixed with water and applied using a hose-end sprayer, pressurized sprayer, or mist blower. Its listed uses include broccoli, kale, tomatoes, melons, shade trees, and ornamentals. The Bt formula is described as causing no harm to birds, earthworms, honeybees, or ladybugs.

Skip it if you need control for beetles, aphids, or other unrelated pests; Sevin Insect Killer Spray lists more than 700 insects.

A practical fit for gardeners treating listed caterpillars on vegetables, fruit, trees, or ornamentals who want a ready-to-use spray. Choose another type of insect control when the main problem is not a worm or caterpillar-stage pest.

Listed on Amazon as: Bonide Captain Jack's Bacillus Thuringiensis BT, 32 oz

#2 · Best BT Concentrate

2. Safer Caterpillar Killer II

• Form: Liquid
• Weight: 1 lb
• Warranty Description: Warranty

Best for: Organic garden concentrate users.

Why it ranks #2: This 16-ounce concentrate contains Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki and lists caterpillars, gypsy moth larvae, worms, and cabbage loopers.

OMRI Listed concentrate can be used up until the day of harvest, giving organic gardeners a caterpillar treatment option with a clear harvest-use detail. Safer Brand lists tomato hornworms, gypsy moth larvae, cabbage loopers, and other caterpillars among its targets, while the Bt formula is described as sparing beneficial insects when used as directed.

This 16-fluid-ounce concentrate contains Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, and the listing identifies it for caterpillars, worms, gypsy moth larvae, and cabbage loopers. Because it is a concentrate, buyers should expect a mixing step rather than a ready-to-use application. The stated use up to harvest day can suit gardeners managing edible crops close to picking, while the description says caterpillars stop feeding after ingesting it. It is described as having no effect on birds, earthworms, or beneficial insects when used as directed.

Skip it if you prefer a ready-to-use bottle with no dilution step; Bonide Captain Jack's Bt is sold as a ready-to-use spray.

A good fit for organic gardeners treating listed leaf-feeding caterpillars on crops, especially when harvest timing matters. Account for the concentrate format and follow its directions; buyers seeking a no-mix spray should choose a ready-to-use alternative.

Listed on Amazon as: Safer Brand Caterpillar Killer II Concentrate Spray, 16 fl oz

#3 · Best Hose-End Option

3. Summit Caterpillar and Webworm Control

• Form: Spray
• Warranty Description: Warranty

Best for: Hose-end tree sprayers.

Why it ranks #3: The hose-end quart is designed for shade and fruit trees and yields 12 to 24 gallons of material when mixed with water.

A hose-end quart makes this biological caterpillar and webworm control convenient for treating shade and fruit trees. Summit says the concentrate yields 12 to 24 gallons when mixed with water, so one container can support multiple applications across tree foliage rather than limiting the workflow to a single ready-to-use bottle.

Connect the hose-end applicator and spray with water, using the tree-focused format to reach foliage without hand-mixing a separate batch. Summit states that the quart yields 12 to 24 gallons of material, which helps buyers gauge its coverage potential for shade and fruit trees. Its stated targets are caterpillars and webworms, making the product a focused choice for those pests rather than a general-purpose garden insect spray. The listing identifies the item form as spray.

Skip it if you want a ready-to-use leaf spray for vegetables; Bonide Captain Jack's Bt offers a ready-to-use format and lists vegetable crops.

Consider this for buyers treating caterpillars or webworms on shade and fruit trees who prefer hose-end application. Its stated targets are narrow, so it is less suited to a garden needing control of assorted unrelated insects.

Listed on Amazon as: SUMMIT 021-6 Caterpillar and Webworm Control-Hose End For Insects, 1-, Quart, White

#4 · Best Plant Range

4. Monterey B.t. Caterpillar Killer

• Form: Oil

Best for: Broad foliage caterpillar coverage.

Why it ranks #4: This 32-ounce BT caterpillar spray lists cabbage loopers, bagworms, gypsy moths, and multiple edible crops, plus shade trees and ornamentals.

A 32-ounce spray lists an extensive range of caterpillars and worm-type insects, from cabbage loopers to bagworms and gypsy moths. Monterey also names vegetables, melons, tomatoes, shade trees, and ornamentals among the plants it can protect, making it a candidate for mixed garden and landscape foliage.

The listed targets include fall cankerworm, elm spanworm, bagworm, gypsy moth, and cabbage looper, so the product covers several types of foliage-feeding caterpillars. Its plant-use list ranges from broccoli, celery, and lettuce to shade trees and ornamentals, which can simplify choosing one treatment for varied plantings. The supplied safety information calls for safety glasses or goggles and thorough washing after mixing and applying. Check the label directions for application details before use.

Skip it if you want a ready-to-use spray without a mixing step; Bonide Captain Jack's Bt is explicitly sold ready to use.

This may suit gardeners managing multiple listed caterpillars across edible crops, trees, and ornamentals. Follow the product directions and safety instructions, and consider a ready-to-use option if mixing is not part of your preferred application routine.

Listed on Amazon as: Monterey B.t. Organic Caterpillar Killer Spray, 32 oz with Spoon

#5

5. Southern Ag Thuricide BT

• Form: Liquid
• Weight: 9.9 oz

Best for: Bt-focused caterpillar control.

Why it ranks #5: This 16-ounce liquid is identified as a biological caterpillar control made with Bacillus thuringiensis, giving it a targeted fit for caterpillar treatment.

Southern Ag Thuricide is a liquid biological insecticide made with Bacillus thuringiensis, offering a focused option for buyers seeking Bt-based caterpillar control. Its 16-ounce pint size suits gardeners looking for a smaller-volume product, while the supplied facts identify its active ingredient and describe the bacteria as toxic to certain pests.

The product is identified as Thuricide BT caterpillar control, with the same active ingredient as Dipel in liquid form. That Bt-based approach is relevant to buyers targeting susceptible caterpillars rather than seeking a general insect spray. The 16-ounce pint format gives the buyer a defined quantity, but the supplied product details do not provide a specific plant-use list or mixing rate. Check the product label for application instructions and permitted uses before treating plants.

Skip it if you need a stated crop list and dilution rate before choosing; Southern Ag Thuricide HPC Concentrate lists plants and a per-gallon rate.

This suits buyers specifically seeking liquid Bt caterpillar control who will consult the label for directions and plant uses. The limited supplied application detail makes it a less clear choice for shoppers who need an explicit rate or crop list upfront.

Listed on Amazon as: Southern Ag Thuricide BT Caterpillar Control, 16oz – Pint

#6 · Best Small Concentrate

6. Southern Ag Thuricide HPC

• Form: Liquid
• Weight: 0.27 g

Best for: Concentrate for varied plantings.

Why it ranks #6: The 8-ounce concentrate lists vegetables, citrus, nuts, shrubs, trees, ornamentals, and flowering plants; its stated dilution is 2 to 4 teaspoons per gallon.

A listed rate of two to four teaspoons per gallon gives Southern Ag Thuricide HPC buyers a concrete starting point for mixing this caterpillar-control concentrate. Its stated uses span vegetables, citrus, nuts, shrubs, trees, ornamentals, and flowering plants, making the 8-ounce liquid a versatile option across edible and decorative plantings.

This organic insecticide concentrate contains Bacillus thuringiensis and is described as controlling listed caterpillars and worms. The two-to-four-teaspoon-per-gallon rate helps buyers prepare spray for different application volumes, while the broad plant list covers vegetables and citrus as well as trees and ornamentals. It is not ready to spray straight from the bottle; expect to measure and mix it with water. The listing also describes the product as having low toxicity to humans and animals.

Skip it if you want a spray that is ready to apply without mixing; ferti-lome Spinsosad RTS is listed as a ready-to-spray product.

This is suited to gardeners who want a Bt concentrate for listed caterpillars across edible and ornamental plants and are comfortable measuring a per-gallon rate. Pick a ready-to-spray option if mixing is inconvenient.

Listed on Amazon as: Southern Ag 100520028 13021 Caterpillar Control, 8 oz

#7

7. Bonide Captain Jack's Deadbug Brew

• Form: Spray
• Weight: 2.4 lb
• Warranty Description: Warranty

Best for: Mixed-pest edible gardens.

Why it ranks #7: This ready-to-use spinosad spray lists caterpillars, loopers, and tent caterpillars, but it also targets a much broader range of insects.

Bonide Captain Jack's Deadbug Brew lists caterpillars alongside borers, beetles, loopers, thrips, and other pests, giving mixed-pest gardeners a broader target list than a caterpillar-only treatment. The ready-to-use 32-ounce spray is approved for organic gardening and covers a wide range of listed fruit, vegetable, and ornamental plants.

Shake well and apply thoroughly to the tops and undersides of leaves, directing the spray where listed pests feed. The ready-to-use format avoids measuring a concentrate, while the plant list spans fruiting and leafy vegetables, cucurbits, cole crops, stone fruits, bushberries, citrus, flowers, and ornamentals. Spinosad is the stated active ingredient, and the product is approved for organic gardening. Its many listed targets can suit a garden where caterpillars are only one of several insect problems.

Skip it if you want a Bt treatment focused on caterpillars and worms; Safer Brand Caterpillar Killer II is a Bt concentrate for those pests.

A fit for gardeners managing caterpillars alongside several other listed pests on edible crops, fruit, or ornamentals. Its broad target list is useful for mixed problems, while buyers seeking a narrowly focused Bt product may prefer a caterpillar-specific formula.

Listed on Amazon as: Bonide Captain Jack's Deadbug Brew Insecticide, 32 oz

#8

8. Ferti-lome Spinosad Control

• Form: Spray
• Weight: 2.3 lb

Best for: Ready-to-spray lawn and garden use.

Why it ranks #8: The ready-to-spray formula lists bagworms, tent caterpillars, loopers, and other pests on lawns, ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, and edible plants.

Ready-to-spray convenience and a no-guesswork description distinguish ferti-lome Spinsosad for buyers treating bagworms, tent caterpillars, and other listed chewing insects. Its stated uses extend across lawns, ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, citrus, fruits, and vegetables, so the product can address pests in both landscaped and edible areas.

The listed pest targets include armyworms, sod webworms, loopers, bagworms, tent caterpillars, leafminers, borers, leafrollers, and thrips. Its RTS quart format avoids a separate concentrate-measuring step, while the plant-use list reaches from lawns and ornamental plantings to citrus, fruits, and vegetables. The description also names Colorado potato beetle among its targets. Buyers should follow the label for application directions and ensure the particular pest and planting are included in the listed uses.

Skip it if you want Bt-based caterpillar control with an explicit organic-gardening listing; Safer Brand Caterpillar Killer II is OMRI Listed.

A convenient fit for buyers treating listed caterpillars and chewing insects across lawn, ornamental, and edible areas without mixing concentrate. Check that the specific pest and planting appear on its label before applying.

Listed on Amazon as: Fertilome Spinsosad Bagworm, Tent Caterpillar and Chewing Insect Control, RTS, Quart

#9

9. Safer Garden Insect Control

• Form: Spray
• Weight: 1.7 lb
• Warranty Description: Warranty

Best for: Natural-oil mixed-pest gardeners.

Why it ranks #9: This 24-ounce natural-oil spray includes caterpillars among many listed garden pests and is intended for flowers, houseplants, fruits, vegetables, trees, and shrubs.

Natural oils are the basis of this Safer Brand spray, which lists caterpillars among a range of common garden pests. Its 24-fluid-ounce format is labeled for roses, flowers, houseplants, fruits, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and ornamentals, while the listing says it can be used up to the day of harvest.

The multi-insect target list includes aphids, beetles, boxelder bugs, caterpillars, earwigs, spider mites, and stink bugs, making this a possible choice for mixed pest problems. Safer describes the formula as gentle on plants and suitable for a broad range of garden and indoor plant types. It is made with natural oils and is stated to be safe around children and pets when used as directed. Its use up to harvest day is relevant for edible crops.

Skip it if you prefer Bt-based control specifically for caterpillars and worms; Safer Brand Caterpillar Killer II uses Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki.

A fit for gardeners seeking an oil-based spray for caterpillars alongside other listed pests on indoor or outdoor plants. Choose a Bt-specific product instead if your priority is a focused caterpillar-and-worm treatment.

Listed on Amazon as: Safer Brand Garden SG5110 Insect Control and Killer Spray – Kills Aphids Beetles, Boxelder Bugs, Caterpillars, Earwigs, Spider Mites, Stink Bugs & More – Natural Oils Gentle on Plants – 24 fl oz

#10

10. Sevin Insect Killer Ready-to-Use

• Form: Liquid
• Weight: 8.4 lb

Best for: Large gardens with mixed pests.

Why it ranks #10: This one-gallon spray targets more than 700 listed insects, but the supplied details do not name specific caterpillar types or describe a caterpillar-focused formula.

The one-gallon ready-to-use bottle lists more than 700 insects, offering broad coverage for gardeners dealing with caterpillars and other pests. Sevin says its spray protects roses and edibles, kills on contact, and can be applied by shaking and spraying, supporting a simple workflow across substantial garden plantings.

Sevin recommends applying early or at the first signs of insect damage, holding the sprayer one foot from the plant and spraying evenly. That direct application method works with its ready-to-use format, avoiding a separate mixing step. The listed uses include roses and edible plants, and the product also names ants, Japanese beetles, whiteflies, and aphids among its targets. For shoppers primarily focused on caterpillars, the breadth of the 700-plus listed insects may be more coverage than needed.

Skip it if you want a caterpillar-focused Bt product for edible crops; Safer Brand Caterpillar Killer II lists caterpillars and worms as its targets.

Consider this for gardeners who want ready-to-use, broad insect control across roses and edibles, especially when several pests are present. Its expansive target list may be unnecessary if caterpillars alone are the concern.

Listed on Amazon as: Sevin Insect Killer Spray, Ready-to-Use 2, 1 Gallon