Cutworms: The Garden Pests You Need to Watch Out For

Gardening is a relaxing and fulfilling hobby, but it can also be frustrating when pests invade your garden. One of the most common garden pests is cutworms. These sneaky insects can cause significant damage to your plants if left unchecked. In this article, we will explore what cutworms are, how to identify them, and how to get rid of them.

What Are Cutworms?

Cutworms are the larvae of several species of moths, including the armyworm, the variegated cutworm, and the black cutworm. These caterpillars are called cutworms because they cut through the stems of young plants at ground level, causing the plants to topple over and die. Cutworms usually feed at night and hide in the soil during the day.

Variegated Cutworms

How to Identify Cutworms

Identifying cutworms can be tricky because they hide during the day. However, there are some signs that you can look for. If you notice young plants that have been cut off at ground level, there's a good chance cutworms are present. You may also see small brown or gray moths flying around your plants. To confirm that cutworms are the culprits, go out at night with a flashlight and look for the worms themselves. They are usually about an inch long and smooth-skinned, ranging from creamy white to gray or black.

Black Cutworms

How to Get Rid of Cutworms

Prevention is key when it comes to cutworms. Here are some steps you can take to prevent these pests from invading your garden:

• Clear away any debris or weeds near your garden, as cutworms like to hide in these areas during the day.
• Use row covers to protect your plants from adult moths laying eggs on them.
• Buy parasitic nematodes, which are natural predators of cutworms, and release them into your garden.
• Set up traps using cardboard or plastic cups placed around the base of your plants. Cutworms will crawl into the cups and get stuck, making it easy to dispose of them.

If you already have cutworms in your garden, there are still ways to get rid of them:

• Handpick the worms off your plants at night and drop them into a bucket of soapy water.
• Dust your plants with diatomaceous earth or insecticidal dust, which will kill the cutworms upon contact.
• Spray your plants with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a bacteria that is toxic to cutworms but harmless to humans and pets.

Cutworms can be a significant problem for gardeners, but with the right prevention and treatment methods, you can keep them under control. By following the steps outlined in this article, you'll be able to protect your plants and enjoy a healthy, thriving garden.

Cutworms, garden pests, identification, prevention, treatment