How to deal with wireworms

Credit: Wiki Commons

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Q: Last year I built eight raised beds—four of which I planted and harvested my first vegtable garden from with great success. Using the lasagna method, I prepared the four other beds for planting this year. I noticed in my lettuce and spinach beds that many of my new plants were wilting suddenly and dying and found that the bed is full of wireworms. Also, the new unplanted beds are also full of them… What do I do in order to plant a garden this year?

Nematodes are naturally occurring microscopic organisms that live in soil and prey on insect larvae. They carry bacteria in their intestines that are deadly to larvae. In cases of serious outbreaks (e.g., wireworms in new gardens where sod has been removed), apply when the soil has warmed up and keep moist for two weeks. In 10 to 14 days, cutworms, craneflies, leatherjackets, wireworms and weevils will be gone. Nematodes are safe for non-target organisms such as earthworms.