How to kill wireworm in garden plots
The wireworm is a larva that gets its name from the hardness of its body, since the larva itself is very difficult to crush with your hands. However, in garden plots, wireworm eradication should be carried out, as it is a pest that damages the plant's root system.
Why killing the wireworm is important
If the plantation is affected by the Colorado potato beetle, it is immediately noticeable, and there is an opportunity to take action. The action of the wireworm is imperceptible, since it operates in the ground. By the time of harvest, if root crops or potatoes are harvested, the plantation with the planting can be completely destroyed.
How to deal with a wireworm
The fight against the wireworm includes activities that are seasonal or periodic in nature, which help to mechanically reduce the number of wireworms in the garden. No chemicals are used for this. These methods include:
- Deep seasonal digging in the spring before planting and in the fall after the potato harvest. At the same time, the depth of soil cultivation should be within the range of 25-35 cm. During this treatment, it is necessary to manually collect and kill the larvae, as well as remove weeds from the site.
- Literate crop rotation... This method is especially important when growing potatoes in large areas. Legumes are the best for alternating with potatoes, as the wireworm cannot tolerate them.
- Abstraction. If you plant a more attractive wireworm plant, such as lettuce, between rows, the larvae switch from potatoes to lettuce.
- Watering. The larvae damage potatoes in search of moisture. If the soil is moist enough, the wireworm is less thirsty for moisture and will damage the tubers less.
- Weeding regularly. The larvae concentrate in the places of root plexus, so weeds must be removed.
- Liming acidic soils and reducing their acidity. This repels pests. Since lime reduces the immunity of plants, including potatoes, it is preferable to use chalk or eggshells or wood ash.
Wireworms can be easily destroyed by mechanical means. These methods do not harm the crops grown, but they actively destroy the wireworm.