Wire worm problems in polytunnel beds.

[MitchH]

Hi,
I had a polytunnel put up last year on new ground (previously grass) & had quite a successful harvest of veg.
Planted a few seeds & plants this spring and am having issues…. I have lost most of the plants I have put in & having issues with seedlings.
It seems the raised beds have wire worms in them this spring.. I know there isn’t anything available to the home gardener but am wondering if anyone has used a successful method of getting rid of them.

I am going to try the potato on a stick trap and am just going to move the soil around in the beds with a hoe but have limited cultivation options due to them being raised beds.
Anyone tried diatomaceous earth? Is there a nematode that works on them?

[charles]

I read in FC King’s “The Weed Problem (1951) that he had success with a sawdust mulch that kept the wireworms busy, as they like to eat it!

[MitchH]

Interesting Charles, will have to look that up & maybe do a controlled trial/experiment.
Currently have potato traps in the beds to reduce numbers, also moving soil around & if I see any taking them out of the soil. One of my chickens seems to be addicted to the horrors. Lol.

[Karen]

Hey Mitch,

how is your wireworm problem so far? Has the potato traps worked so far?

[Author]

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