A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2005 Cut worm help, please!

I've recently indentified one of my pests as a cut worm. Ick! I'm concerned about using pesticides which will take care of them as well as slugs, earwigs, snails and ants for me but I REALLY, REALLY want to because I have a big earwig and ant problem as well.

I'm concerned because there are many cats in the neighborhood. Nematodes are pretty close to out of the question because I don't think they'll work for me with how dry it can get here.

Will someone please explain to me how these buggers think? What plants will they go after? I haven't been successful in keeping the cats out of any given area so I really need help. The cutworms have even worked their way into my raised planters!!! These planters have bottoms on them with 1/8-1/4" drain holes! How did they get in there????

Sachi,
I'll see if the Buglady/Suzanne can tell you!!
Hold on a bit and I'll PM her!!!

I don't have those buggers so I'm not too
sure about them???

Weezie

Since my original post, I've learned that I have two different kinds. One's white, one's tan. One of them possibly can climb.

But that's about all.

Thanks, Weezie.

I was reading about them,
there's also a black one too!!!

I first thought maybe some kind
of sticky paper at first to catch the
moth part of them, *should be some type
of flying insect before or after they are
caterpillers???* some go to a yellow paper???

Not sure, I'm sure the Buglady has something
that will help???

Weezie

Weezie, if you've never had them, I would pray that you never do. OMG, they are gross!

Like 2" long, about 1/2" diameter! Blech! White with a nasty little red head. The tannish one has a black head. Ugh! I'm shuddering just thinking about it. I read somewhere that you have an "infestation" if you find 3 within a 3' x 3' area. I'm so far beyond infestation it's not even funny. There were 5 within a 6" x 6" area!

Sorry took so long to reply... I am down in FL lecturing this week. Anyhow cutworms... use beneficial nematodes... they work great for them and organic. I am actually in FL lecturing

Good luck!

Thanks, Bug Lady! I've been checking around but haven't yet found any locals selling nematodes. I'm also concerned about keeping the ground wet for them. We've already been having 70 degree weather here! Not long before we're back up to 100.

I'll keep hunting. I've got some other kind of funky wormy that might be a green beetle larva... guess I better take care of that one too.

I doubt you will find someone local selling them. You will have to get them from the net from one of the producers like www.nematodary.com If you buy direct from producer they will be cheeper.