- 1). Remove fallen grape leaves from the ground. Place the leaves in a garden bag or compost bin. Fallen leaves give the caterpillars a place to form cocoons.
- 2). Prune the infested grapevine canes with pruning shears. Place the infested canes in a plastic bag. Seal the bag and discard it.
- 3). Pick caterpillars off the grapevines. Wear gloves to prevent touching the caterpillars and place them in a bucket. Feed the caterpillars to chickens or birds. You can also release the caterpillars in a location away from the garden.
- 4). Cover the grapevines with mosquito netting. The netting prevents the caterpillars from laying eggs so they do not infest the grapevines.
- 5). Introduce predators into the garden to remove the caterpillars. Tachinid flies, paper wasps, ladybird beetles and lacewings will eat either the caterpillars or the moth eggs.
- 6). Place 1/2 cup of finely chopped hot peppers into a jar. Add 1 pint of hot water. Place a lid on the jar and allow it to sit overnight. Strain the peppers through cheesecloth and pour the liquid into a bowl. Add 1 quart of water and 2 tbsp. of liquid soap and pour into a spray bottle. Spray the foliage of the grapevines to make them unattractive to the caterpillars.
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