Authored by James F. Dill and R. Terry Jones. Photographs by James F. Dill. There are several soil-applied or seed treatment insecticides that can give satisfactory wireworm control. For a list of recommended insecticides, contact your local county Cooperative Extension office. Some natural controls exist, such as fungi and nematodes, that may keep wireworm populations at tolerable levels.
Cultural practices can also be a very important part of control.
Avoid, if possible, continuous growing of the same crop in the same field. Plowing or cultivating infested fields in late summer or early fall kills or exposes the larvae, pupae and adults to the elements and predators. These pages are maintained by the Pest Management Office, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.