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Ohio

I have lost 2 plants to seed corn maggots in the past week and a half, the first plant I lost I thought it was because I sprayed the plant with merit before the seed corn maggots entered the stem. This time I sprayed the plant with merit while it was in the pot and then transplanted it into the patch, and Ill be dog gone if I didn't have them end up killing this plant also. I have found out that a pre spraying of merit isn't much good for a seedling plant against seed corn maggots. Any one got any ideas instead of just waiting to plant until the weather gets warmer? I know cold weather and manure/compost is a breeding ground for maggots but what else kills these guys? Merit didn't seem to put a dent in them at all. I'm stumped here, I have never had trouble with them before.

5/14/2008 4:08:55 PM

Triazicide

5/14/2008 4:18:05 PM

Springfield, VT

I have had the same problem with my plants and did use Triazicide to kill the maggots. The other thing is do not bury the stem above where the root start sprouting out, this will keep the maggots out of the stem. They do not like sun light. This at least limits damage to the roots. The only other warning is the triazicide appears slow down the plant growth for a period of time. If you google root maggots the only options that the experts recommend are pesticides, diamatatious earth and rings around the plant stems and not much more.

5/14/2008 5:16:16 PM

Santa Rosa California

hopw it was'nt the 1068 brooks

5/14/2008 6:25:09 PM

[email protected]

Kevin Brown had this same problem about 4 - 5 years ago. He grows next to a corn field and he thinks they may have come from the field of corn. Kevin (who grew the 1007 Brown) had to stop gorwing there for a few years and am not sure if he has returned to that patch or not.

5/14/2008 6:38:27 PM

Ohio

Im pretty sure they are coming from the old manure I put down this year, the plants I lost are completly in a diffrent area on my property from my other patch. I have grown there 3 years in a row and never had that problem with these critters before.

It wasnt the 1068 I lost but they where both pretty good plants, the first plant I lost was the 1071 Houghton and then I lost the 904 today, both plants where 30 feet away from each other. Man thats a bummer to lose a plant like that.

5/14/2008 7:03:58 PM

Frankfort Oh

brooks i, lost three plants in one week and i, beleave to the same thing ,,just hang in there ,,we really need warmer temps ,,rob,,,,,,p,s ,,,,,,have back ups ready

5/14/2008 10:06:45 PM

[email protected]

The major Ag schools all list Corn Seed Maggots as "Uncontrollable".

Prevention is key - Don't use fresh manure & wait for soils to warm before planting out.

Furadan might have worked.

5/14/2008 11:15:33 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

My grandpa used to say wait till the soil gets warm and that will help reduce the risk.

5/15/2008 2:33:08 PM

Frankfort Oh

Tremor what happens to the corn maggetts as the ground gets warmer ,,do they leave the soil?,,,Rob

5/15/2008 4:09:58 PM

This is where using some "collars" made of tar paper, card board, or plastic around the stems of the plant would help. 3" with 2" in the soil,,those maggots hang in the top inch or so and eat just under the soil line.

5/15/2008 7:39:42 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Good idea Dan!
I wonder if drenching the area around the plant with a Garlic Barrier solution would keep the maggots away?

5/15/2008 9:17:36 PM

[email protected]

Doug,
You might get rid of the maggots, but then you will have hundreds of italians salivating around your plant..

5/15/2008 9:53:36 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Maybe their drool would be good for the plant LOL!

5/15/2008 10:10:44 PM

[email protected]

They move 0n to more suitable crops when the temperature rise.

5/15/2008 11:13:17 PM

Minerva,ohio

Ouch!!! I had same problem lost 3plants with these darn maggots! I am bummin...
i started out with some great lookin seedlings only to loose them in the hoops to maggots, I am at a loss, i can only move on and hopefully nip this in the bud before they move on to other plants....

5/19/2008 7:57:41 AM