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Wire worm problem

Hi, 
I’ve recently set up a polytunnel with internal raised beds, however the soil we’ve taken in has wireworm! The same soil has been dotted around the remainder garden (this being prior to finding the wire worm!) 
We’ve purchased nematodes for trying, we’ve also tried the potato test but is there any suggestions on how to really remove them? 
I have seeds starting for the polytunnel and really don’t want to loose a lot of plants!
We purchased a few rhododendrons, apple trees, fruit bushes etc last year and we’re scared to loose them!
Any help would be much appreciated!
TIA

Posts

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Would be interesting and useful to see a picture of the wireworms you have found. Never had any trouble with them damaging the roots of woody plants though.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Yes .. photos please.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.






  • He’s alive and wriggling, haven’t found any dead ones which is also a concern. 
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Try spraying the soil with Garlic water. Mark, this will kill beneficial insects as well.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Do you know anyone with chickens?  Shutting a few chickens in the polytunnel for a few days will get rid of them ... chickens love wireworms ... the traditional way of turning an area of grassland into a veg patch is to take the turf off and then keep chickens there for a while.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.






  • No one with chickens I’m afraid. 
    It’s only a 3x6 polytunnel with raised beds maybe 900mm high. 
    But it’s the soil in general as used elsewhere in the garden. 
    Really not sure how to tackle the problem. 
    Will garlic water kill any plants growing? 
    I’ve made up raised pallet planters for strawberries but the same soil is in them too- such a pain!! 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2021
    Hmm for the soil outside keep raking the beds over and exposing them to the birds ... starlings especially love them and there’s lots of hungry nestlings at this time of year. 

     

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    By the way it is a problem which will go in time. Normal cultivation will reduce the population dramatically.
    Garlic Water will only kill insects, not plants (and people like me who are allergic to it).
  • 😂 will give the garlic water a go and see how we get on. Far better idea than paying out for expensive sprays.
    Thank you! 
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