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Worm eating sunflower seed hearts #236838

Asked April 14, 2015, 9:38 AM EDT

Please help me, last year there were worms in my sunflower seeds that ate all of the hearts! I had no seeds to harvest for this year , can someone tell me what to do to prevent in this years crop? Thanks so much. Rachel Ahrens

Macomb County Michigan

Expert Response

Knowing which of the several insect pests you had in your sunflower seeds will help in the timing and choice of insecticides. Red Sunflower Seed Weevils, Gray Sunflower Seed Weevils, Sunflower Seed Maggot and Sunflower Moth all attack sunflower seeds. Here is a link to a publication that may help you determine which pest you had:
 http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/pests/e1457.pdf
After determining which insect you had, insecticide recommendations can be made.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 16, 2015, 9:20 AM EDT

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