How to Stop Sweet Corn From Getting Earworms
Corn earworms are common pests found in vegetable gardens and farms across the United States. The earworms infest growing corn plants and will nest in the ear of the corn, destroying the silk strands prior to pollination or even feeding on already formed kernels. The effects of earworms can be devastating to corn crops and must be avoided at all costs. Several natural and easy to implement methods can help control earworms in sweet corn today. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Till the fields in the fall and spring months to expose the earworms to wind and sunlight, which should help control their numbers later on in the year.
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Release trichogramma wasps into your garden as they feed on the earworm eggs. Release minute pirate bugs as well as they feed on not only the eggs, but small larvae as well.
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Spray dipel dust weekly on the corn as it grows and until the tassels turn brown. This will help kill any larvae of the earworms that may be forming.
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Put a full eardropper of mineral oil in the top of each ear to smother any feeding larvae inside the ear.
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Tips & Warnings
If a combination of the above techniques does not take care of your earworm problem, use commercially available botanical herbicides. It's better to use an herbicide than lose your entire crop.
