As we head into late May, things are finally feeling like
spring and the soil is warming up. With warmer soils come more productive
growing days, but also a cozier habitat for pests, including wireworm!
This time of year, wireworms move up to the warmer top
layers of soil, feeding on newly seeded or transplanted crops. In fields you know
to be problematic areas for wireworm, consider growing a less susceptible crop
and practicing crop rotation. Consider cover crops such as brown mustard and
buckwheat to combat existing populations. Avoid planting highly susceptible
crops such as cereals or potatoes in problematic areas.
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| Wireworm attacking a lettuce transplant. Photo courtesy Rosalie Gillis-Madden, Perennia. |
For more information about wireworms, including how to set up a bait trap, check out Perennia’s new wireworm fact sheet.