You can never have enough...

[harm_less]

But not all was good in the garden yesterday. I have army worm. I cannot find the beasts, but I can see where they are munching, and as I pulled out the destroyed plants I came across a chrysalis, dark red, sort of alien invader robot looking thing very smooth and shiny, and sure enough, army worm. Voracious things, devastating for leafy greens. So I will have to check out remedies, and I suspect that means chemicals, dammit. But I cannot have those things taking residence in my garden...

I would suggest dousing your garden in Baccillus Thurigensis (BtK) insecticide. It's the same stuff they blanket sprayed up your way a few years back for the Asian Gypsy Moth and is a popular insect control measure for organic farmers. It was my sole protection against leaf roller caterpillars when I grew Organic avocados and it had great results.

It only effects caterpillars as their alkaline gut activates the bacilli which results in perforation of the gut wall and death by internal bleeding Consumption of the spray or insects that have ingested it is harmless to birds and mammals as acid guts kill the bacteria so no by-kill. It is best sprayed in the late afternoon as the bacteria are sensitive to UV so sunlight will cancel out much of the spray's effects.

It works on all caterpillars so monarchs are susceptable. On lighter coloured caterpillars the darkening of the gut indicates that the bacteria are at work and feeding quickly ceases once they have consumed it (i.e. food poisoning). Worth doing a couple of follow up sprays to get a complete eradication including early misses and newly hatched caterpillars. The Neem that the link above is promoting isn't necessary and is a wider spectrum insecticide; safe but more by-kill likely.