Wireworms

nh8260 · Dec 10, 2016

I had a problem this year with wireworms getting in my potatoes. I was wondering if anyone knew a good way to get rid of them or at least slow them down. Problem is I use a Iron Age potato planter that doesn't have a fertilize or insecticide hopper on it, a lot of the sprays I see want you to put the product in the furrow. Since the planter opens and closes the row it would be really hard to put something in the furrow. I could put it on top of the mound cause I always go back and hill it up more than the planter did. I have a 7000 JD planter I could inject granular insecticide in the area before planting. I've had potatoes in this area before and never had a problem until now. Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

Cue P. · Dec 27, 2016

I am by no means an expert but...I had the same problem after applying a lot of composted cow manure in the area several yrs before I planted potatoes coupled with tilling under winter rye every spring. When I read up on it seems wire worms like soil with a lot of organic matter such as what I had applied. I lightened up on the rye crop and no more compost year before planting potatoes in an area. After several seasons wire worm problem subsided when I presume the organic matter also broke down further. Perhaps you have the same condition. Also, are you rotating your crops?

jasinpa · Feb 13, 2017

just had this same conversation at our local spray meeting couple weeks ago , yes to much dead plant matter will help promote this problem , need to stop with the composted matter , i think lime was mentioned too , of course most pest dont like lime, cost to yeild benefit for pesticide ? only you can answer that . if i remember correctly the outcome of this part was, there was no quick fix just do the best you can to not promote them further , if your problem is too bad it may be time to ask the county agent to help. just my word of advice, " you will eat whatever pesticide you put on there some way shape or form period "

Wireworms

nh8260

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Cue P.

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jasinpa

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