Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

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.