Should I kill them or keep them?
By Joanie
@Freelanzer (10782)
Canada
July 8, 2017 3:17pm CST
I noticed my potted parsley herbs were been eaten and recently I discovered these beauties in the photo were feasting on them. They have shredded three plants and were on to the 4th. So I plucked them all off, stems and all and relocated them to a jar until I decided their faith. I know they are caterpillars and would produce some beautiful butterflies so since I love butterflies, what's a gardener to do? Kill them or keep them? I relocated them to another part of the garden with lots of ground cover. Not sure if they would enjoy the new menu or they will make their way back to the parsley. But I can't wait to see the butterflies. How do you deal with lovable pests.
Photo is of the relocated caterpillars
13 people like this
14 responses
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
8 Jul 17
I´d kill them if you are interested in your plants.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (189833)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Jul 17
Which do you want worse, the parsley or the caterpillars?
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189833)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Jul 17
@Freelanzer ......THey are gone now aren't they?
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
10 Jul 17
@celticeagle I moved them to another part of the yard.
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@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
9 Jul 17
The parsley even though most are already eaten. I do also want to see the butterflies.
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@Debscrochet (1947)
• United States
9 Jul 17
I had the same thing happen. Don't kill them. They are going to be beautiful Black Swallowtail butterflies. You may consider moving them and try to grown the parsley inside a screened area.
http://cafejohnsonia.com/2008/06/whats-eating-my-parsley.html
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@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
10 Jul 17
Yes they are relocated. Hope they survive without the parsley
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@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
9 Jul 17
I would have relocated them to somewhere in the woods far from my garden.
2 people like this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
8 Jul 17
I believe you will see monarch butterflies from those caterpillars. Good you didn't kill them as that butterfly is getting scarce. Relocating them to a different area is a very smart way to handle the problem.
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
10 Jul 17
Just hope they like the diet in their new location
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@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
11 Jul 17
@Freelanzer I'm sure they do. All vegetation is their diet!
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
10 Jul 17
Yes I did and hoping they survive without the parsley
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11658)
• United States
9 Jul 17
I would move them and hope they don't go back to the other pots. I love to see butterflies, so would certainly try to find a solution.
2 people like this
@allknowing (153530)
• India
9 Jul 17
You are indeed kind hearted. You can isolate them and once they become butterflies you are safe. They are beautiful.
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
10 Jul 17
Took them to another part of the garden not sure if they will come back but haven't seen them yet
@quantum2020 (12054)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
11 Jul 17
I used to have dogs and I could do nothing but try to understand them, They are good company and they make llife more enjoyable
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
8 Jul 17
Well if you keep them where will they go? I do not know much about keeping caterpillers.
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@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
9 Jul 17
Just hoping they survive by chewing on some other plant I don't really need.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
10 Jul 17
Love them too, and hope they like their new home
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
9 Jul 17
If I knew they loved parsley I would have grown a pot just for them
1 person likes this
