Cutworms are the soft bodied larvae of several types of moths. They are common lawn and garden pests that feed at night. Cutworms are often found near the base of grass blades and young plants. They can destroy entire plants in one single night. There are many options available to get rid of cutworms. The most common (and easy) methods include manual removal, introduction of natural enemies, dehydration, and implementation of chemical alternatives.

Some gardeners choose to manually remove cutworms by hand. This requires a flashlight, bucket of soapy water, and a gardener who isn’t afraid of picking up the pests. Optional supplies include gloves and tweezers. When the cutworms emerge from the soil at dawn, simply pluck them from the ground and drop them into the bucket of soapy water. They will drown in the soapy water.

Another method is to encourage natural enemies of the cutworm into the lawn or garden. Parasitic wasps, beetles, bees, birds, and bats are predators of the garden pest. Plant flowers and/or install a bird bath or feeder. This will invite those natural enemies into the area so that the cutworms can be parasitized or killed. An added benefit is additional beautification of the area. This method is win-win.

Diatomacaeous earth powder or wood ashes spread around the base of plants will also get rid of cutworms. Diatomacaeous earth powder is a chalk-like rock that is crumbled into a fine powder. It can be purchased at a local lawn and garden store. Wood ash from fireplaces or bonfires is a more economical option. As the cutworms crawl over these substances, they dehydrate and die.

Chemical solutions may be found at local lawn and garden stores. They are often highly toxic to natural predators of cutworms. Wasps, bees, birds and other inhabitants of your lawn or garden would likely be harmed when using these chemical solutions. Most chemical options are sprinkled or dusted over soil surface. Specific directions will vary by product. Follow the recommended directions on the package. Carbaryl is widely available and moderately effective on small to medium cutworms. Larger cutworms are generally more resistant to insecticides.

It is important to take action at the first sign of cutworm damage. Identify the problem and choose the most appropriate method for the situation. If pets or wildlife are involved, a non-toxic solution will be the best choice of treatment. While cutworms are annoying pests that cause much destruction, treatment is relatively simple and effective.