Our pastures and hayfields have been invaded by army worms(Indiana) and we need an alternative to spraying with pesticides. Any suggestions about what might be effective? At this point I plan to move the chicken-mobile around the pasture for the hens to work on the worms, but don't have any back-up ideas. Thanks in advance for advice.

-- Taylor (bptaylor@ccrtc.com), May 21, 2001

Answers

Response to army worms:need alternatives to pesticides

Check with county agent or chemical supplier for a product known as "BT". It is supposed to be an organic product that rippes up the digestive track of worms. I don't know if its appropate for your needs, but it does work good on vegetables.

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), May 21, 2001.

Response to army worms:need alternatives to pesticides

My Uncle is informed in this. He just told me the name of a natural bacteri or virus or something that will infect them and kill them and only them. I just e-mailed him for the name and will let you know as soon as he replies. Probably tomorrow. I am writing now because we just had a bad infestation (Mo.) in our county. We thought it was the drought. Before we figured it, in just a few days the army worms ate half of our grass for the cattle. They will destroy it fast so watch them carefully. Our chickens could never have put a dent in all of these, and we let them free range. I will let you know as soon as I hear from him.

-- T. Crockett (pbandjallen@jcn.net), May 23, 2001.

Response to army worms:need alternatives to pesticides

That's the BT mentioned above. It's Bacillus thuringiensis, and it kills caterpillars. They've made a natural organic pesticide by packaging the bacteria in a dust carrier (or can also be mixed with water). The bacteria doesn't hurt anything except caterpillars, and it's very safe (unless you would otherwise have grown up to be a beautiful butterfly, or an ugly moth, or vise versa).

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), May 24, 2001.

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I found that Gardens Alive carries this bacteria, which is called bt ssp. kurstaki, and can be ordered in 4, 10 and 25 pounds of powder. For others who would need to contact them, the website is gardensalive.com, and they are in Lawrenceburg, IN.Business phone is 812/537-8650. Will be ordering some tomorrow when business resumes. Thanks again for your help. Will let you know results.

-- Taylor (bptaylor@ccrtc.com), May 28, 2001.

these worms are infesting mid-coastal New Jersey as I write. Thank you for all the information posted, I only hope that I can find the bacteria in our area.

-- Greg Kwasnicki (kwas824@yahoo.com), July 02, 2001.

Southern Massachusetts is being hit as well. If you see the damage it may be too late, but your lawn might come back, your crops won't.

-- Brian Shaw (bshaw@mfs.com), July 05, 2001.

These "army worms" are in full force in Keene, NH right now. Thanks for all the tips re: BT. I'll be calling Gardens Alive immediately, if not sooner! Jeb

-- Jeb Thurmond (drjeb@cheshre.net), July 09, 2001.

I live in Prattsburgh, New York. The army worms were discovered today in some of the farm crops. That's why I wanted to know more information on them. Ginnie Towner (July 10, 2001)

-- ginnie towner (ginnie@linkny.com), July 10, 2001.

We are about to do a research on this matter we are looking on the possibility of using cassava parts as a pesticide, if you have any valuable info please infom us we really need it, thanks- Philippines

-- jonathan manaloto (luftwaffe@eudoramail.com.ph), July 17, 2001.

You wont believe were i'm writing from. I live in Hawaii and I have just noticed that i have these army worms right in my back yard. I was so shocked that i just started shooting them with bug/insect/roach spray. I didn't know what to do. I will check on this "bt" hopefully they carry it here in Hawaii. I write back with results. Thanks!! C.M

-- c.m (minny808@yahoo.com), July 20, 2001.