As growers make the transition into fall, preparing their fields for upcoming winter wheat, wireworm prevention should remain at the forefront of decision-making to ensure a successful season. If this fall is anything like the last, warm weather may linger longer than desired and may cause further plant stress – the perfect environment for late-season wireworm feedings.
Even when they’re not feeding on seeds and roots and causing below ground destruction, wireworms stay present through the winter months. To survive below-freezing temperatures, they dive deep beneath the soil, waiting out the winter. Without proper management before they become dormant, wireworms can significantly reduce yield potential if – and when – they resurface in the spring. This is why it’s imperative to stay vigilant – not missing the opportunity to protect fields. As with other silent pests, growers who wait to see any destruction to make an application are too late — the damage has been done.
Tracy Hillenbrand, Regional Technical Representative for BASF, says once spring weather comes and the wheat continues to grow, dormant wireworms make themselves known and attack growing plants. This is when growers will begin to see the wheat turn yellow and eventually die off – the effect of these lurking winter pests.
Disarm and Defeat Wireworms with Preventive Action
Wireworms can impact growers’ fields throughout the growing season, but they don’t have to be an ongoing problem. Applying a product like Teraxxa® seed treatment from BASF is the key to eliminating wireworms and preventing them from causing future damage.
“Teraxxa literally stops the ability for wireworms to breathe and then has quick mortality,” Hillenbrand said. “It’s unique in the marketplace because it interferes with nerve signal communications.”
Benefits of Teraxxa seed treatment:
- The only seed treatment on the market that eliminates wireworms
- Reduces resident wireworm populations and breaks their reproduction cycle to increase yield potential
- Reduces overwintering wireworm larvae and neonates, which will reduce the feeding damage potential later in the season
- Partners with systemic insecticides for additional protection from above-ground insect pests
Preventive applications will benefit the crop to come. It’s time for growers to put these pests to rest. Future stands will thank them.
For more information on seed treatment tips, how to manage wireworms and Teraxxa seed treatment, talk to your local BASF representative or visit Teraxxa.com.
Always read and follow label directions. Teraxxa is a registered trademark of BASF.
