How to Control Ear Worms in Your Corn Using Bt

How to Control Ear Worms in Your Corn Using Bt - Bacillus thuringiensis

Рет қаралды 105,866

Күн бұрын

One of the biggest problems in growing corn is dealing with ear worms. They generally enter thru the silks and start eating the corn long before you ever have a chance. One of the best ways to control ear worms is by spraying with a product that contains BT, Bacillus thuringiensis. This is one of the most common organic methods for dealing with the worms. BT is safe for people and animals. A couple of the products that contain this form of BT are Thuricide, and Dipel. The spray or dust will only last about a week, or less if you have rain. So don't forget to re-apply as needed. Keeping the worms at bay will allow you to harvest some very nice ears of corn.
More on BT : www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/ins...
/ mhp.gardener

Пікірлер: 262

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

LOL.. I still remember his infamous "I'm all ears" statement. Classic ! Any time that I see moths flying around my garden, I pay attention to where they are landing. If I don't, I find out the hard way.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I didn't plant a late crop this year. I've learned that late corn is much more susceptible to insect problems. Fortunately, all of the early corn has done well. Thanks John.

@Trunkneck 10 жыл бұрын

That was a greatly helpful video. My wife and I have had a small garden for 20+ years running now and everytime I try corn worms show up. I heard of the spray used but never knew you do just the silk. Thanks for that. I was spraying leaves and coating it once over so to speak. When we move to Colorado we will have a 5 acre plot to play with, in ground greenhouse etc. I can only hope to do half as well as you. Nice work man. God bless.

@christinasornbutnark1208 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks dude this really helped. I live in Huntington Beach, California. I didn’t think I’d have to deal with this… but here I am. Thank you so much. I just finished spraying my silks.

@barbisrule 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Great information. I miss you on here!

@kf9233 5 жыл бұрын

You are so cool! Love your accent! Planning on corn this year. I'll follow what you instructed to do. Thank you so much for your know how. God Bless you and yours.

@2ladyhomesteadershodge898 7 жыл бұрын

I sure do miss you and your common since advice. Hurry back. We need you. Vivian Ann on the side of the mountain in NE Tennessee

@RhodeToPrepping 11 жыл бұрын

I ordered some of that stuff for my cabbage and broccoli. Sure happy to know it is safe stuff. You are great, we appreciate you.

@mormonslayer71 11 жыл бұрын

I wish you could make a video everyday, I've learned so much from watching your videos thank you so much. This is my first year of growing sweet corn and I never knew about spraying for ear worm. Seems like I just got me a weekend project on the way. Ones again I appreciate all you do.

@meganponce86 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!! I’ve been looking everywhere for directions!

@BrianSmith1969 11 жыл бұрын

Bobby once again information when I need it. After losing my Cucumber and Melon Patch to some worms, I learned, and will try again. I am going to try a few rows of corn too, it is probably late, but I will try. Thanks again for the info!

@dellrand3628 6 жыл бұрын

Hi are you still making videos I haven't seen any new ones from you in a while.I always enjoyed watching your videos.

@steffaniemccarty3616 10 жыл бұрын

BTW thanks to you we just started our first 5 bucket hydroponic system. We love your videos. Thanks for the inspiration

@davidangler4680 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bobby, Great practical advice for a heartbreaking problem.

@honeybacres 11 жыл бұрын

Great video Bobby. I am glad I have never had any trouble with these worms.

@FensterfarmGreenhouse 11 жыл бұрын

Those little buggers still got some of ours! I hit the corn several times but there was so much rain it was almost impossible to keep 'em protected. Great demo Bobby! Chuck

@kirkdehart7282 6 жыл бұрын

Dude you are a pleasure to listen too and very informative- thank you

@bgroks1 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you a lot. I have had big patches of corn in my garden, and they have all got infested with these worms. For me it was hard to find something on the Internet for this problem. I love your videos by the way too. :)

@yankeegardener9565 Жыл бұрын

Dang thought you took your videos down i like you info on things thanks for sharing.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks. You explained the Bt details quite well. Nice job. :)

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I know what you're talking about. I see that once in awhile. They generally get the growth tip when it's about 3 ft tall. During that time, I don't usually do any spraying. But if it looked like they were getting out of control, then yes, I'd be spraying early and often.

@RobsAquaponics 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bobby, growing our first corn for a few years here due to losing so much in the past.. Shall use the BT this time.. Cheers once more sir :)

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

For sure. I've been eating sweet corn for a few days now, and it is some kinda good.

@RVFreeDa 11 жыл бұрын

Makes my mouth water just looking at that corn!

@wayneleviner6557 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the info.I had some pretty corn ,but on the ends of it I had a lot of worms. I needed to know this. Thanks again and may GOD bless you!

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Yes it is. I use it a lot more often in the Spring trying to protect my cabbage and broccoli.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Bt is something that everyone should know about. It really does a great job.

@Flowerhen 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great video, Bobby! Thatis so everynice looking corn. Mine just started tassling at only five feet tall so i am hoping it will be okay. I have pampered the corn this year. :)

@DanWright1966 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video! This is my first year for corn and I didn't know any of what you said. I'll spray in the next 48 hours!

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I'll be glad to pick you up on my way thru. I hope you're the one holding the sign "Will work for food !" I just brought in a bushel of maters for my wife to make salsa, and there's probably 3 or 4 more that need picking. Time to get back to work. :)

@OvGraphics 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video Mr. gardener. I used BT powder many many years ago and then I couldn't find it again. Thought about it this year and ordered some off Amazon...Liquid this time. Just wanted to make sure my memory was right...and it was. Silk time is the time to spray. I can vouch that BT WORKS! It's a a must for the home gardener. You did good! (Also for cabbages and tomatoes too. Squash. All that good stuff. Bullet shot tomatoes are history with this stuff!) Note to the squeamish: For anyone who isn't a caterpillar this stuff is as safe as non-bleached organic Peruvian wheat flour. Safer than ground up cornflakes. USE IT! But use it as prescribed. If the worms get inside then it's all over but the yuck.

@txbadgirl1 6 жыл бұрын

Am trying corn again this year. Last time it was full of worms, so now I know what to do....wish I had seen this the first time around...

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

From what I read, about a week, depending on rain. Yes, any type of worm or caterpillar that consumes it should fall asleep shortly thereafter.

@Widowmakerproduction 11 жыл бұрын

Good Info Bobby. Thanks Greg

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Yes sir, I agree. Corn can be a pain, especially a late crop coming in some time in August. The insects are horrendous then.

@jtdamomma 11 жыл бұрын

Oh, you have perfect timing! I'm so glad you posted this and I'll be out spraying tomorrow AM-thanks to your advice! I have some corn that has 2 main ears and 2 little side ears all forming on 1 stalk. I'm thinking that will make all the ears smaller. I'm not sure WHAT to do about that. I've never had that happen before. First time for this variety, though.

@kerrysmith4726 4 жыл бұрын

Enjoyed the video. I have had problems with the worms eating my corn. Next year I will spray. Thanks

@rekster11 3 жыл бұрын

Very helpful tips! Thanks. Hope I get an ear worm-free harvest this year 🌽

@lisabetholson 10 жыл бұрын

I just got one of the small sprayers and it works very well.

@thewandywanz 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I wasn't sure exactly when and where to spray.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I saw your weather forecast....just amazing how perfect things can be. Hit those silks and you should be in good shape. ;)

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I have used some Azomite, but not with any side by side comparisons to say for sure that it made a difference.

@woodturningjohn 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info, I did not plant corn this year but now I know how to bet those worms for next year :) have a good one sir.

@senglish48 9 жыл бұрын

Excellent, thanks. Just the info I was looking for.

@shawhit3462 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the information. Very helpful

@engrtobe 7 жыл бұрын

Great video on BT.!

@7891234able 10 жыл бұрын

U r a blessing. Tyvm....I have sweet corn, in buckets on patio..and sooooo pretty.. I was needing to know, how to control the worms, when they start...hoping the directions will tell me, how often to Spray

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Yes mam, those are 2 good things to have around when fighting off insects.

@1964JEDAGI 10 жыл бұрын

Great video.

@glendelacruz7035 9 жыл бұрын

I just watched this video and it's very informative. I lost all my corn this year 2015 because of ear worms infestation. At least, now I know what to do. I would recommend this video. Thanks.

@BrianSmith1969 11 жыл бұрын

I might not be able to make the grocery store irrelevant, but I have hurt their bottom line. If you can, try and find a local produce stand. We are lucky to have so many choices here in central Florida. Keep up all the great work Bobby and fellow growers.

@Quietwoods2 11 жыл бұрын

BT is a gardeners best friend, it took care of my tobacco hornworms on my tomatoes this year. We work to hard to lose out right near the finish line! Vroooom! Goodbye worms, so long!

@sqwrrl 11 жыл бұрын

BT is a catch-all name. There are 4 types of Bacillus Thuringiensis. BT is a bacteria that has 4 sub-species, the most toxic to bees is BT aizawai. The subspecies BT kurstaki, israelensis, and tenebrionis have minimal toxicity to honey bees. So those are the ones to look for, if you want to spare the honey bees. I know that Thuricide uses kurstaki. It's what I use for cabbage worm and my collards never looked so good. Congrats on your corn! Thanks for passing on your knowledge.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I hope it helps.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I like my corn nice and clean too. This is Reid's Yellow Dent. I grew Truckers Favorite a few years ago and it was similar, very tall with huge ears. I kinda liked the taste of it, but nobody else did. So I'm only growing this for the chickens.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I love the back sprayer. It's much easier to pump the handle and keep walking.

@kajahtaa 7 жыл бұрын

Hope you come back to KZfaq some day

@mhpgardener 10 жыл бұрын

I like the small ones. They are perfect for spot spraying.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

It would be close, depending on the variety. A quick maturing variety would be a good idea.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Yes sir.... I spray all of my cabbage, broccoli, kale, etc.... simply spraying the top of the leaf surfaces is usually enough.

@dreaslife11 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks, love your videos!!

@LAC32Griffin 9 жыл бұрын

Great advice!

@michheywood2450 11 жыл бұрын

That's some great looking corn! Mine is only calf high and its been in the ground ages but I'm hoping I'll get some corn cobs to eat eventually!

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I haven't grown it, but I know of some people down south who have, and they love it.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I've seen black smut a few times, that stuff that gets on the end of the ear. But it's usually only a few ears. I haven't seen any of it this year.

@_dave4460 5 жыл бұрын

been using bt on winter squash and pumpkins for years (for borers). may try some late silver queen or peaches n cream and it good to hear this advice. thanks for sharing

@TheSonoman1976 11 жыл бұрын

Man...again...wish I could have seen this a week ago. I found worms on my corn this week! I pulled the ones off that I found and then sprayed them with the good stuff. Hope I get some ears like yours bro.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Yes, Spinosad is a good option too.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

My wife's sister helped me shuck the sweet corn yesterday. And it was just like said... she didn't care much for seeing a worm. Fortunately, the worms were only about 1 out of 10. It rained almost every day while the ears were making, washing off what I had sprayed. So I was very happy with such low worm #'s.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I saw a study a couple years ago that said leave them alone. So I cut the suckers off half my rows, and left them on the others. I didn't see much difference in production. But it was a lot easier to spray and manage the corn that had been suckered.

@keya31gville 5 жыл бұрын

A good southern accent is like sweet tea

@eightosaurusspelunk1598 5 жыл бұрын

He really does have a good southern accent. Some are definitely not as fluid and warm as this

@totterdell912 11 жыл бұрын

Your vids are great entertainment (next stop Hollywood!). I'm putting in the dutch bucket system, based on your construction, but 5 gal paint strainers dont exist in Aust, so I decided to go with a 1 gal bag around a 6" plastic disposable flower pot (mouth down) the drain tube thru its side & bag mouth zip tied round the drain tube. The idea is to get a big surface area filtered, but have a cheap rigid frame inside a cheap ( & easily obtained) filter medium. I will also try layered fly screen

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Yep, that's some good stuff too.

@AraceaeFanatics 3 жыл бұрын

Good video, Thanks

@paulluna45 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info brother

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Do you have any idea where people are getting the "Bt toxin" deal from? It's a topic that comes up any time someone mentions Bt. Obviously there are tons of articles online, but how do you clear it all up?

@BornRandy62 11 жыл бұрын

BT is also good for corn borers that attack the roots. If you suddently see a bunch of white moths flying around yoru corn fields you probably already have serious root damage. first high wind and your corn will be on the ground or you will have less produce to harvest because the roots are just ate up and gone.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I haven't used Spinosad specifically for worms, but I think you'll be in good shape.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I've heard of folks doing the injecting, but I haven't tried it. I generally spray the outside of the stem and that does the trick. The vine borers don't seem to be much of a problem around here. So that might have something to do with it.

@edburdick401 8 жыл бұрын

BT is the best way to go; no doubt about it. Thanks

@freewaybaby 5 жыл бұрын

Bobby, all your subscribers still miss you! Life goes on, we know, but still.... just sayin'! Be blessed, you and your lovely missus!

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I usually put on some pounds during the winter, then lose it during the summer. It's hard to keep the weight on when it's 100 degrees and you have a diet heavy on vegetables and water. Thanks.

@TheParadisecove 9 жыл бұрын

Bonito perfecto..thank you bro!!

@mtpocketswoodenickle2637 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome advice!...now just add a couple drops of Amways spray adjuvant to each batch you mix. The miracle of making water wetter allows you to get more efficient and effective coverage.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

I don't do anything fancy. I apply triple 10 prior to planting, then side dress with 34-0-0 when they are about 18-24 inches tall. Corn really likes a high nitrogen fertilizer as it progresses.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Yes, unless it's raining every day like it was here. Then you spray when you can. It shouldn't affect pollination anymore than rain would.

@JLuther2525R 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the BT information, did not know what to use and pretty much lost five 90' rows of sweet corn, oh well the goats and chickens ate well. Will know better next year. Was my first successful year and am way stoked that it grew. I know I can do it. peove :{)

@mediamaker2000 11 жыл бұрын

Awesome tip Bobby! I doubt I'll ever need more than my 2 gallon sprayer but that backpack sprayer is way cool! Question: Does BT stop aphids too? That's what got my corn last year.

@chelinfusco6403 5 жыл бұрын

Man, we sure miss you.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks Joe. I'd much rather shuck corn that doesn't have the worms too. After waiting almost 90 days, doing a few minutes of spraying is well worth the effort.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

In So Cal, you should be able to replant most anything right now. If you're not quite sure, try some faster maturing varieties.

@chrisstanton7900 Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!! I’ve been so frustrated with my corn looking so beautiful only to find almost every single ear destroyed when I shuck it!!!!

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Yes sir. It'll take care of most any type of worm or caterpillar you can find.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

Bt will take care of the horn worms. You'll need something else for the mites Try Neem oil, or some of the insecticidal soap sprays. If the zucchini is not getting pollinated by bees, you'll need to do it yourself. Break off the male flowers, peel back the blossom, and wipe the center part onto the female flowers. It's very easy to do. Thanks.

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

A little bit of missing corn on the end isn't so bad. But when the worm has eaten down one side, that's a problem. I've used a knife a few times too. Fortunately, this years sweet corn was pretty clean.

@112jungle 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks MHP U the man.

@williamgraybill9999 8 жыл бұрын

thanksfor the info. ,was great

@sdfft820 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Bobby. Can you please make a hydroponic strawberry video?

@mhpgardener 11 жыл бұрын

If you spray the silks as soon as you see them, and stick with it, especially after it rains, Bt will make a big difference in the number of worms you see. I use Thuricide, but there are other named brands that work just as well.

@loislaney23 11 жыл бұрын

Great info. I have never used this but I should really think about it. I do not have a big problem with worms and earwigs, but I do have a little problem. lol Thanks!