Cutworms
Q. What can be done to keep the cutworms from cutting down
my tomato and pepper plants? Is there something that can be
put in the ground?
For cutworm control, inspect plant beds and newly set plants
frequently because extensive cutworm damage may occur in a short
period of time. This pest feeds primarily on cloudy days or
late in the afternoon or at night; therefore, apply insecticide
late in the afternoon for best control.
Cutworms overwinter as larvae or pupae, depending on the species.
In early spring, overwintering larvae of some species become
active, feed, and complete their development. In other cases,
moths emerge from overwintering pupae and lay eggs on host plants
or other vegetation. Therefore, depending on the species, damaging
cutworms found in spring may be overwintered larvae or new generation
cutworms.
Check your local nursery for products whose labels name cutworms.
They come in liquid and powder, plus if you ask around, you
may be able to pick up a granular form to mix into the soil.
Try not to spray other insecticides for other insects unless
necessary, since you are eliminating beneficial enemies of the
cutworm. Once they are killed, nothing will be around to devour
the worms.
Jeff writes~
Are there any recipes or products on the market that will get
rid of cutworms (June Bugs) from our lawn? I am looking for
either safe, biodegradable, natural alternatives to Diazon or
such?
A. Here are some recommendations for you for the invasive cutworm
which turns into a moth:
Handpicking: Remove weeds before they grow.
Garlic & Pepper Spray:
Protect your garden plants from cabbageworms, caterpillars,
hornworms, aphids, flea beetles and other chewing/sucking insects
by routinely using a natural spray that you can make at home.
The spray must be applied regularly, especially after a rainfall.
Brew up a batch as follows:
6 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon dried hot pepper
1 minced onion
1 teaspoon pure soap, such as Ivory or Joy (not detergent)
1 gallon hot water
Blend & let sit for 1 - 2 days. Strain & use as spray.
Ground cayenne or red hot pepper can also be sprinkled on the
leaves of plants (apply when leaves are slightly damp) to repel
chewing insects or added to the planting hole with bone meal
or fertilizer to keep squirrels, chipmunks, dogs and other mammals
away from your gardens. Be sure to reapply after rain.
Here are some safe and easy steps you can take to reduce insect
damage to your garden. To prevent cutworm attacks, place a newspaper
or cardboard collar around the stems of tender transplants at
the soil surface. Crop rotation and good garden sanitation is
essential to repelling squash bugs and cucumber beetles. Heavy
mulching can help prevent potato and cucumber beetle larvae
from finding the plants. Row covers are another effective barrier
against insects, though they may need to be removed to allow
pollination to occur. Interplanting crops with aromatic plants
like garlic, chives, or marigolds can repel many problem insects.
Soap and water, garlic, and hot pepper sprays can easily be
prepared at home for use against many pesky garden insects.
The best solution to pest problems, however, is maintaining
sound garden practices like building healthy soil, rotating
crops, and cleaning up your garden at the end of the season.
http://www.cdcg.org/pests.html#pest
ORGANICALLY ACCEPTABLE METHOD:
Biological control and sprays of Bacillus thuringiensis.
The Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticides, both
the aizawai and kurstaki varieties, are specific
to caterpillar pests. The stomach poison cryolite is specific
to foliage-feeding pests. These insecticides are relatively
nontoxic to parasites that attack the caterpillars.
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