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These insatiable pests munch your grass, leaving unsightly bald patches. Here's how to spot them and eliminate them.A nuisance to homeowners and farmers, cutworms feed not only on lawns, but also on vegetable plants, ornamentals and farm crops. Found across the globe, they are known to cause significant damage once they’ve taken up residence. “These non-discriminate feeders attack a wide range of plants,” says lawn expert Dave Holmes of The Grounds Guys. “All common turfgrasses are susceptible to damage by the larvae that feed at night.” Here’s how to spot these ravenous pests and send them packing before they cut your yard to shreds.
What Are Cutworms?Cutworms are the larvae of the cutworm moth, which lays its eggs in clusters in grass at night from spring through fall, depending upon the type of moth. The adult moths are attracted to light, so cutworm invasions often happen on lawns surrounding well-lit homes when the eggs hatch a few weeks after they’re laid. Cutworms chew turfgrass at the crown — the pale section at the base where the shoot and root meet — until the blade is severed. This habit of gnawing has earned the caterpillar its name and its reputation as a particularly destructive invader. Types of CutwormsThere are several species of cutworms found in North America. Holmes says the two most common are the Black Cutworm (dark colored with brown to black spots running the length of its back and sides) and the Variegated Cutworm (various colors with a pale white line and/or yellow dots along its back). Other types you may encounter, depending on where you live, include:
What Are the Signs of Cutworms?During the day they hide in underground burrows or under thatch near the surface of the soil, so they’re hard to spot. You’ll more likely know you have cutworms based on the damage they cause. The most common sign of cutworms? Patches of grass that look like they’ve been sliced off at the base. “Depending on the species, damage typically occurs in early summer through the fall,” Holmes says. You can also sometimes catch the larvae themselves above ground in the early morning or late evening. “If you brush your hand across the surface of the soil, you may notice them if they curl up,” says Drew Wagner of Sod Solutions. “They typically make a ‘C’ shape when they’re disturbed.” Also, according to Holmes, “Watch out for a large number of birds scratching and pecking at your lawn, as this can indicate a large cutworm population in the grass.” Finally, you can check for droppings around damaged plants. They’re tiny and black, found on plant bases near the soil surface. How To Get Rid of CutwormsLuckily, Holmes says these insatiable pests are relatively susceptible to insecticides, as well as some biological control agents. “The key to successful control is to apply treatments when most of the caterpillars are small,” he says. “For best results, make control applications 14 to 21 days after peak adult moth flight activity.” Your choices:
How To Prevent Cutworms From Coming Back“There is no pre-emergent treatment you can apply to a lawn to prevent cutworms,” Holmes says. “But there are some things you can do to limit or stop their damage before it kills your lawn.”
What is the best treatment for cutworms?If there is a severe problem, pesticide can be applied to the stems or leaves (for climbing cutworms). It is best to apply product in the evening, before the cutworms come out for feeding. Examples of common pesticides effective against cutworms are carbaryl, cyfluthrin and permethrin.
Does baking soda kill cutworms?Sprinkled near the base of plants it will kill and or deter slugs and cutworms, it is also useful against roaches and ants. When ingested by insects it releases carbon dioxide into their system which kills them. As a foliar spray used in the garden, it works wonders against fungus and bugs.
What time of year are cutworms most active?Cutworms are most active and cause the most damage during spring and early summer months. The larvae normally hide under debris on the soil surface during the day, but are active, voracious feeders at night.
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