Hi all, Harvesting lots of corn now, first year I've ever gotten worms in the corn. I know it's not the end of the world, just knock them off, kill them, cut that end part off and cook like normal. But my question is, is there an organic method to avoid these critters? One thing I know I should change is not planting in the same spot every year. My options are limited, so I do not have a choice.
www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/corn-earworm-control.htm I just went ahead and looked it up - sorry. looks like there are a few organic methods. They are getting bigger, lost almost half tonights' ears to those buggers. From what I've read, they are cannibalistic. That explains why there were several small worms when I first found them, 2 weeks later only 1 or 2 much larger worms (really caterpillars). One method is putting a few drops of vegetable oil where the silks and ear come together.
The oil is the easiest way ! I personally have never tried it considering the size or our corn crop ! I would bet it works if you can do it at he right time ! ! Plus our mocking bird who usually perched on the fence and waited for me to find a worm and toss it to him would not be happy !
Cuatro-gatos, as soon as the silk appears, I put a few drops of vegetable oil on the silk, close to the husk. It works great! Mart, our mockingbirds are on their own. If they want worms, they can go get them for themselves!
Well Jane, do you smoke the silks? You could set up a business, keep the worms at bay and harvest a tasty crop all athe same time.
