Protect young plants from cutworms by placing a paper collar around new transplants. Push the paper collar into the soil at least 2 inches. The collar will decompose in time as the plant grows. Encourage hungry birds to visit your garden by placing birdbaths and feeders near the planting beds. Apply beneficial nematodes when the cutworms first appear in the spring.
Nematodes attack the cutworms by laying eggs inside the caterpillar.
Ravenous hatchlings consume the cutworm before it can pupate into an adult moth. Place bran mixed with Bacillus thuringiensis, an organic control for caterpillars, over the surface of new planting beds one week prior to planting. Cutworms already present in the soil will eat the Bt-laced bran instead of your new seedlings. Plant later in the season, when cutworms aren't as active, as a preventative measure. Always try the least toxic method of pest control as your first step.