So your corn is planted and seems to be thriving, but there are a few hurdles that need to be still surpassed and one of the pressing issues being what is the best way to protect the corn form insects. Insects can ravage your crop if you are not careful. They are the number one threat to your harvest.

Insects pose a great risk to your corn plant. Make sure you plant your corn far apart so you can control any infestation that might occur. Be vigilant for corn earworms who enjoy the popular type of sweet corn. These insects lay eggs inside the husk and once they are inside there is nothing that can be done to save the crop. Moreover, flying bugs such as locust and moths might also eat your crop too. Crows, though not insects, are also a serious problem so don’t forget to put up a scarecrow so they don’t eat your crop.

To keep earworms from entering the tip of your corn husk, wrap a rubber band around the husk or attach a pin afte the corn silk appears. This will seal the corn shut while not harming your corn and prevent the earworms from coming and damaging your plant.

Next, make sure you spray an insecticide over your crop. The one that is used the most is called BT or Bacilulus Thuringiensis. This attacks and kills the larva of the insects before they mature. Like all chemical sprays, get all the safety information before you use it at your local shop. If you use too much, the corn will be too poisonous and not safe for human consumption. If you use too little, you won’t kill the insect.

Other insect pests such as cutworms, stalk borers and stink bugs can reduce the corn stands as well even if a soil insecticide is used while planting, these insects can kill the seedling corn plants through the 4-6 leaf stage. Special scouting procedures are undertaken to determine when these insects might appear. The seed corn maggot can also destroy the corn plant and in order to protect the germinating seeds and seedlings from this pest, a seed treatment must be applied. Sampling of the soil for wire worms and white grubs must be administered supplemented with random digging of the soil with a shovel.

There are many ways to protect your corn against insects. Careful use of natural and chemical deterrents will keep your crop safe from insects and pest so that it grows to maturity and harvested in its entirety. Be vigilant and watch your crop carefully so you can get pest before they spread to any corn. Careful watching will ensure your crop stays safe.