Marigolds Infested With Tiny Dark Caterpillars

Question From: Los Angeles, California, United States
Q: My Marigolds are infested with tiny dark catapilars with stripes. No fuzz. I’ve hand picked a few and thought that was minor but today, in a seperate garden 5 feet away, I found no less that 15 in unopened 1/2 empty buds and in the crooks of the stems. What to do?

A: Take photos and samples to your independent garden center for ID and control. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy