Cutworm Control

Cutworms are about 2" long

Several kinds of surface-feeding caterpillars are known as cutworms. Just about every vegetable garden has hosted them at one time or another. They're a problem mostly early in the season and do their feeding at night. They'll eat most any kind of vegetable or flower, typically cutting it off just above ground level. Tomatoes often fall victim, as do peppers, beans, peas, and anything in the broccoi family. They hide during the day, curled in their typical C shape, usually an inch of so below ground and near the scene of the crime.

There are three types of cutworms, each characterized by where they do their feeding: below ground level on roots of carrots for instance; at ground level on seedlings; or above ground level on buds of various crops. The most common for gardeners are the ones that cut off seedlings at ground level. Adult cutworms are dark colored, night-flying moths.

• If you've reason to be concerned, inspect your seedlings at night, with a flashlight. At that time they'll be easy to spot and squish.
• Cutworms are vulnerable to a variety of garden predators and parasites such as ground or soldier beetles.
• Beneficial nematodes sprinkled into a planting bed just prior to planting are an effective control.
• A protective collar circling each seedling and extending 2" below and above ground, is an effective barrier, and a band of diatomaceous earth around seedlings seems to deter egg-laying adults.

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