How to Get Rid of Cutworms: Effective Strategies for a Pest-Free Garden

Cutworms can be a gardener’s nightmare, causing damage to a variety of plants and ruining all the hard work put into cultivating a beautiful garden. These pesky critters are the larvae of various species of night-flying moths, including the bronzed cutworm, variegated cutworm, black cutworm, dingy cutworm, glassy cutworm, and army cutworm. They are known to feed on plant stems, leaves, and even the roots, often causing severe damage or even killing young plants.

Getting rid of cutworms requires a combination of vigilance, preventative measures, and targeted interventions. In this article, we will discuss some practical and effective strategies for controlling these destructive pests while protecting your precious plants. Stay tuned to learn how to send cutworms packing and restore your garden’s health and beauty.

Understanding Cutworms

Types of Cutworms

There are various species of cutworms, with some common ones being:

• Bronzed cutworm
• Variegated cutworm
• Black cutworm
• Dingy cutworm
• Glassy cutworm
• Army cutworm¹

Their colors and markings vary from dingy white to tan, brown, and charcoal gray².

Life Cycle of Cutworms

Cutworms progress through these key stages:

1. Eggs: Adult moths lay eggs on foliage.
2. Larvae: The larvae feed on stems and leaves of plants.
3. Pupation: They become pupae as they mature.
4. Adult: The adult moths emerge and proceed to lay eggs.

Cutworms typically overwinter as pupae, with additional moths migrating from the south during spring³.

Cutworm Damage on Plants

Cutworms cause damage and stress on plants in the following ways:

• Chewing stems and leaves at night⁴.
• Burrowing through the thatch or soil⁵.
• Severing plants to feed on wilted material⁵.

Damage may appear as circular spots of dead grass, finger-sized brown crescents, or ball marks on a golf green⁵.

Preventing and Controlling Cutworms

Cultural Control Methods

To prevent cutworm damage, you can take some simple steps in your garden:

• Remove weeds: Cutworms are attracted to weedy areas¹. Clearing weeds provides fewer hiding places for these pests.
• Till the soil: Tilling your garden before planting can expose cutworms to predators and the elements².
• Plant later in spring: Waiting until later in the season to transplant your seedlings can help you avoid the worst of cutworm infestations³.

Biological Control Methods

Introducing natural enemies of cutworms can help control their population:

• Birds: Encourage birds to visit your garden by providing birdhouses, birdbaths, and feeders⁴. Many birds, such as robins and starlings, eat cutworms.
• Trichogramma wasps: These tiny beneficial insects are known to parasitize cutworm eggs⁵. You can purchase them online or from garden stores.
• Nematodes: Beneficial nematodes can be applied to the soil to help control cutworm larvae⁶. These microscopic worms are harmless to plants and humans.

Chemical Control Methods

If you need to resort to chemical methods to manage cutworms, consider the following:

• Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): Bt is a natural soil bacterium that is toxic to cutworms⁷. Apply Bt as a spray at the base of your plants during the evening when cutworms are active.
• Insecticides: Chemical insecticides can be used to control severe infestations. Be sure to follow the label instructions and use caution to protect beneficial insects.
• If those methods don’t work, try calling a local pest control company.

Pros and Cons of Chemical Control Methods

Remember, it’s essential to practice an integrated pest management approach to keep your garden healthy. By combining cultural, biological, and chemical control methods, you can effectively manage and prevent cutworm infestations.

Protecting Your Garden

Identifying Cutworms

Cutworms are the larval stage of various night-flying moths. Common species, like the variegated cutworm, can be identified by their soft, plump, and hairless appearance. Their 1-2 inch long caterpillars display colors that vary from dingy white to tan, brown, or charcoal gray¹. These garden pests usually hide during the day, blending with dirt and debris, and become active at night, causing damage to young plants and seedlings².

Plant Collars and Barriers

To prevent cutworm damage, install barriers around your young plants and seedlings. Some effective materials to create collars include:

• Cardboard
• Aluminum foil
• Brown paper

Simply wrap the material snugly around the base of your plant, extending about 1-2 inches below the soil line and 2-4 inches above³. This barrier will stop cutworms from reaching your plants’ tender stems.

Natural Predators and Beneficial Insects

Introducing natural predators and beneficial insects to your garden can help control cutworm populations. Some options include:

• Nematodes: microscopic worms that attack and kill cutworms⁴
• Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): a naturally occurring bacterium toxic to cutworms when ingested⁵
• Birds: attract birds by providing nesting sites and birdhouses. They will feast on cutworms.

Diatomaceous Earth and Other Deterrents

Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder that can be used as a barrier around plants, effectively deterring cutworms from reaching them. When cutworms come into contact, the abrasive material damages their outer layer, causing dehydration and eventually death⁶. Spread a thin layer of diatomaceous earth around the base of your plants, reapplying after rainfall.

Other deterrents include:

• Interplanting strong-smelling flowers, like marigolds or lavender, to mask the scent of vulnerable plants
• Using cabbage leaves as bait and checking them daily for feeding cutworms
• Tilling your garden in the fall to expose cutworm pupae, reducing the population next spring

Home Remedies and Tips

Using Soapy Water

Soapy water is an effective, eco-friendly solution for getting rid of cutworms. To use this remedy:

• Mix a few drops of dish soap with water
• Spray the mixture on your plants

Soapy water can suffocate cutworms and decrease their population in your garden. However, this method may need to be repeated regularly for better results.

Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds work as a natural repellent for cutworms. To use this method:

• Collect used coffee grounds
• Sprinkle them around the base of your plants

Coffee grounds have the added benefit of being rich in nitrogen, which can help improve your soil’s fertility. However, be cautious not to overuse coffee grounds, as excess amounts can make the soil acidic.

Eggshells

Eggshells are another effective, eco-friendly option for controlling cutworms. Some benefits of using eggshells include:

• Deterring cutworms with their sharp edges
• Providing a source of calcium for plants

To use eggshells:

• Crush the eggshells into small pieces
• Scatter them around the base of your plants

Eggshells can create a barrier that cutworms are less likely to cross due to their sharp edges. Be sure to replace eggshells periodically as they break down and lose their effectiveness.

Here’s a quick comparison of the three methods:

By using these simple home remedies, you can protect your plants from cutworms without the need for chemical pesticides. Choose the method that best suits your garden’s needs, and remember to apply them regularly for best results.

Cutworms and Specific Plants

Dealing with Cutworms on Vegetables

Cutworms are known to attack a variety of vegetables, such as asparagus, beans, cabbage, carrots, celery, corn, lettuce, peas, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes. Here are some ways to protect your vegetables:

• Keep a 3- or 4-foot strip of dry soil around the entire perimeter of the garden to make it unattractive to cutworms.
• Use physical barriers by placing collars around transplants to prevent cutworms from accessing the plants.
• Plant sunflowers as a trap crop around the perimeter, as cutworms prefer them. Hunt and kill cutworms daily.

Protecting Trees, Shrubs, and Vines

Cutworms can also feed on turfgrass and can occasionally damage trees, shrubs, and vines. To protect these plants:

• Regularly check roots and surrounding soil for cutworms and remove any found.
• Keep a clean garden, as cutworms prefer to lay eggs on decaying plants or compost.

Comparison Table: Protection Methods

Overall, using a combination of these methods can help reduce cutworm infestation and minimize damage to your plants.

Identification and Signs of Infestation

Physical Appearance

Cutworms are the larvae of night-flying moths, with wingspans ranging from 1.5 to 3 inches. The larvae can grow up to 1-2 inches long. The coloration varies from dingy white to tan or darker tones such as brown, charcoal gray, or even black. Some common species like black cutworms can be identified by their unequally sized small, dark wart-like bumps on the upper edges of their body segments. For a quick physical comparison of cutworm species:

Cutworm Droppings

One sign of infestation is the presence of cutworm droppings. These can be found near the base of plants or around damaged areas, and are small, pellet-like, and dark green or black.

Damage Signs

Cutworms usually hide during the day near plant stems or just beneath the soil surface. They come out at night to feed on foliage, plant collars, and young stems at ground level. Damage signs include:

• Clusters of droppings near plant stems or ground level.
• Plants with severed stems or chewed collars.
• Plant tops and foliage showing signs of feeding.
• Curled-up cutworms near damaged areas.
• Evidence of cutworm larvae moving up trees, shrubs, and vines to feed on buds and newly emerged leaves.

Prevention methods to avoid cutworm damage include:

• Tilling soil around plants to disturb larvae hiding places.
• Using barriers, such as collars or foil, around plant stems.
• Employing biological controls, like bacterium or beneficial nematodes.
• Introducing non-toxic baits, like cornmeal or sliced potatoes, to attract and kill cutworms.
• Removing potato tubers and green manure plants from the garden, as they can attract egg-laying moths.

Chemical pesticides should be considered as a last resort and utilized only when other methods have proved ineffective.