How Do You Get Rid Of Cutworms

If you’ve ever gone into your garden to find young seedlings severed at the base, you’ve likely met the cutworm. These frustrating pests are the culprits behind many a gardener’s dismay. So, how do you get rid of cutworms? The good news is you can manage them effectively with natural control methods that protect your garden’s ecosystem.

This guide walks you through simple, proven strategies. We’ll cover identification, prevention, and direct action you can take tonight.

This is your core action plan. A successful strategy combines immediate intervention with long-term habits to break the cutworm life cycle. Consistency is key, as these pests can have multiple generations per season.

Understand Your Enemy: Cutworm Basics

Cutworms are not worms at all. They are the caterpillar larvae of several species of night-flying moths. They hide in soil or debris during the day and emerge at night to feed.

You’ll often find them curled into a tight ‘C’ shape when disturbed. Colors vary from dull brown or gray to black or even pinkish, and they can be spotted or striped.

Immediate Physical Removal Tactics

When damage is fresh, these hands-on methods offer quick results.

Night Hunting: Grab a flashlight and go out after dark. Pick cutworms off plants and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. This is surprisingly effective for small gardens.
Soil Sifting: During the day, gently dig in the soil around a damaged plant. Look for the hidden caterpillars within the top inch or two of soil.
Collars for Protection: Create a physical barrier around each seedling’s stem. Use toilet paper tubes, paper cups with bottoms cut out, or aluminum foil. Push the collar about an inch into the soil and leave 2-3 inches above.

Natural Predators Are Your Allies

Encouraging beneficial wildlife is one of the smartest long-term strategies. Many creatures consider cutworms a tasty meal.

Birds: Invite birds by installing a birdbath or feeder. Robins, blackbirds, and starlings will happily forage for cutworms.
Ground Beetles: These nocturnal hunters actively seek out cutworm larvae. Provide habitat with permanent walkways, stone piles, or low-growing ground covers.
Parasitic Wasps & Nematodes: Beneficial nematodes (microscopic worms) applied to moist soil will seek out and kill cutworm larvae. Certain wasp species parasitize them too.

Creating a Predator-Friendly Garden

A diverse garden is a resilient garden. Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides, which harm your allies. Plant a variety of flowers to provide nectar for beneficial insects. A little untidiness, like a small log pile, offers shelter for these helpful predators.

Effective Organic Soil Treatments

These substances can deter or eliminate cutworms without synthetic chemicals.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Sprinkle food-grade DE in a circle around plant stems. Its sharp microscopic edges damage the soft bodies of caterpillars. Reapply after rain or watering.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): This natural soil bacterium is a powerful organic pesticide. The ‘kurstaki’ strain specifically targets caterpillars. Mix and apply as a drench according to package directions; it’s harmless to earthworms and bees.
Coffee Grounds & Eggshells: While their effectiveness is debated, many gardeners swear by a rough barrier of used coffee grounds or crushed eggshells around plants. They may deter crawling pests and add nutrients to the soil.

Cultivation and Garden Hygiene

How you manage your garden space can drastically reduce cutworm numbers by eliminating their habitat and food sources.

Fall Clean-Up: In autumn, till or turn over the garden soil. This exposes pupae and larvae to birds and freezing temperatures, disrupting their life cycle.
Weed Control: Keep the garden and surrounding areas free of weeds, especially in early spring. Weeds provide the first food source for emerging cutworms before your crops are planted.
Delay Planting: If possible, transplant robust, older seedlings instead of direct-sowing tiny seeds. A thicker, tougher stem is harder for a cutworm to sever.

Homemade Traps and Baits

Simple traps can lure and capture cutworms before they find your plants.

The Cornmeal Trap: Place a tablespoon of cornmeal in a jar lid. Set it near affected plants. Cutworms eat the cornmeal but cannot digest it, causing them to die.
Wet Newspaper Trap: Lay damp, rolled-up newspapers or cardboard pieces in the garden beds overnight. Cutworms will hide under them by dawn. Collect and dispose of the traps (and pests) each morning.
Molasses Bait: Mix a cup of molasses with a little water and sawdust to create a sticky paste. Bury shallow containers (like yogurt cups) so the rims are flush with the soil. Fill them partly with the mix. Attracted cutworms will fall in and drown.

Prevention: The Best Cure

Stopping an infestation before it starts saves alot of effort later. Integrate these practices into your seasonal routine.

Pre-Planting Soil Solarization: In late summer, moisten the soil and cover it with clear plastic for 4-6 weeks. The sun’s heat will kill many soil-dwelling pests and weed seeds.
Floating Row Covers: Immediately after planting, cover seedlings with a lightweight fabric row cover. Secure the edges with soil or pins. This creates a physical barrier that prevents moths from laying eggs near the plants.
Crop Rotation: Avoid planting the same family of crops in the exact same spot year after year. This helps prevent pest populations from building up in the soil.

FAQ: Your Cutworm Questions Answered

What plants do cutworms target most?

They prefer tender-stemmed seedlings. Common targets include tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, corn, lettuce, and beans. They rarely bother mature plants with woody stems.

Are cutworms and grubs the same thing?

No, they are different. Grubs are the larvae of beetles (like Japanese beetles) and have distinct legs near their head. Cutworms are caterpillars with legs along their entire body. Grubs feed on roots, while cutworms feed on stems at the soil surface.

What is the fastest way to kill cutworms?

For immediate results on a small scale, night hunting with a flashlight and bucket of soapy water is very fast. For larger areas, an application of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) can be highly effective within a day or two.

Do cutworms come back every year?

Yes, the moths can fly in and lay eggs each season. However, practicing good garden hygiene and encouraging predators can greatly reduce there numbers year after year, preventing major outbreaks.

Can I use vinegar to kill cutworms?

While direct sprays of strong vinegar may kill them, it’s not a recommended or reliable method. Vinegar is a non-selective herbicide that can easily harm your plants and damage soil biology if used indiscriminately. Stick to the targeted methods outlined above.

Managing cutworms is about vigilance and a combination of tactics. Start with collars for your precious seedlings, set out a simple trap, and make your garden welcoming to birds and beetles. With these natural control methods, you can protect your plants and enjoy a healthy, thriving garden without resorting to harsh chemicals. Remember, a proactive gardener is the most effective natural remedy of all.