Protecting Young Seedlings From Cutworms

Cutworms (not a true worm) are the larvae or caterpillars of some moths. Months go through four distinct life-type changes (metamorphosis) during their life. Egg Stage This is the beginning of life for a moth Larva Stage This is the growth phase of the months life and in this stage the larva is a caterpillar or a cutworm Pupa Stage The pupa is the metamorphic bridge between caterpillar and adulthood. Adult Stage Cutworms are notorious agricultural and garden pests and they get their name from their habit of cutting off a seedling at ground level by chewing through the stem. After a cut worm has been at your plant, the plant appears to have been cut off or trimmed close to the soil at the base. To verify if their are cutworms in the soil around your plants. If you go down a bout 2 inches into the soil near the bottom of the tomato plant you suspect may be infested, you may find black, gray or brown worms.

An effective way to stop cutworms from being able to get to your plants is to surround the base of the young seedling with a plastic or cardboard collar. Toilet rolls can be used or plastic water bottles can be used. Take the plastic water bottle and cut the top and bottom off the bottle and cut the bottle to a length of about 10cms. Cut up the centre of the toilet roll or water bottle, as illustrated on the right. Plant the seedling as normal. Then open the cuff of cardboard or plastic and wrap it around the plant's stem. Close the cuff up and push into the ground. The seedling stem is now protected from cutworms! The advantage of the toilet roll (cardboard) is that it disintegrates with time and rain and composts back into the soil, but I find that the cardboard disintegrates too quickly, so I prefer the plastic water bottle option.