We’ve been hearing from you as invasive pests migrate around the continent and appear on your farms… Allium Leaf Miners and Jumping Worms are two recent travelers. So we’re sharing these resources in case you’re already dealing with them. And if you’re lucky enough that they haven’t arrived yet, you’ll know what to watch for!
Allium Leaf Miner: Prevention & Control
The Allium Leaf Miner first appeared in the northeastern US in 2015 and has recently spread as far south as North Carolina. There are two excellent sources to help with identification: this article by Cornell University and this article from NC State University include images of the insect at all stages as well as the signs of damage. These articles also discuss control strategies.
- The most effective control methods are rotating the location of your Allium crops, and using row covers during the egg-laying periods.
- If you choose to use an insecticide, look for products with the OMRI seal. Both articles mention spinosad, on its own or with insecticidal soap, but the preventative strategies are more successful.
Jumping Worms: Still Searching for Solutions
Jumping Worms have been on the continent for a long time and are continuing to spread to new areas including Canada. They really do jump and writhe like snakes, and they can detach their tails – so you may pick up one and find that half of it jumps out of your hand while the other half remains. This blog post from The Nature Conservancy includes two videos which are especially useful for identifying them, and this article by the University of Massachusetts has an extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions. These worms devour organic matter and leave large crumbly castings, destroying the soil’s structure in the process. They make it difficult to direct seed crops, and they can disrupt small seedlings as well. No reliable control methods have been found so preventing the worms from being introduced onto your farm is key.
- Be cautious with compost, manure, soil, transplants – anything that could harbor the worms or their eggs.
- Adult worms perish when temperatures dip below freezing, but heat treatment is currently the only reliable way to destroy both the worms and their eggs.
- If you already have them on your farm, the articles above suggest some control methods including tilling after the worms hatch in the spring and before they’re old enough to lay eggs.
Continue the conversation with fellow farmers
These are just two of the many pests farmers are dealing with. We’ve created a discussion group for Produce growers where you can share your experiences, what’s worked and what hasn’t. And of course it’s not just for sharing challenges. We love to celebrate your successes too!