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Follansbee, Wv

My pea planting has been destroyed by corn seed maggots. All six 40' rows are completely wiped out. Does anyone have any suggestions for killing the maggots? I have one last shot at getting peas this year, but I can't risk planting until I figure out the maggot problem. Thanks

4/25/2005 3:50:14 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Only thing I can suggest is use treated seed or plant later after the larvae has turned in to flies. Seed maggots love soils rich in organic matter. If the soil is cold and seeds germinate slowly, they are prone to getting attacked.

4/26/2005 9:11:06 AM

Follansbee, Wv

Thanks Shannon, that's pretty much what I thought. Unfortunately, corn seed maggots have a larval stage of about three weeks, I think. That means I can't re-plant until about the second week of May. By then, it's too late. I haven't been able to find any treated seed here, so it looks like there won't be any fresh peas this year :(

4/26/2005 5:55:10 PM

Azores,terceira Island

hey Monty order from http://www.johnnyseeds.com/ thats where i always buy my seeds they have good variety and decent prices...Ryan

4/27/2005 6:11:22 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Monty what do you have for insecticide you might try soaking the pea seeds in a diluted mix.

4/27/2005 9:11:48 AM

Follansbee, Wv

I have several pesticides. Maybe I'll try a mild Triazicide soak. I am also going to move the peas to a different spot, with less organic matter. If this doesn't work, I have more tomatoes then I planned for.

4/27/2005 5:55:32 PM

New Brunswick

I have the same problem with beans. I emailed Vesseys seeds co. and they told me that some little blasted insect is laying an egg on my bean seed, and the resulting maggot is eating the newly forming leaves. They suggested planting a week or two earlier... in my case the last week in May. So..being that is too early for here, I am planting in peat pot strips and setting them out fully dusted with Rotenone when they are up an inch or two. Of course you would have to reduce your rows....very tedious and expenive replanting your long rows with peat pots. Also floating row covers are supposed to be effective. They are available from Vesseys Seed co and probably most other seed companies. They are supposed to protect from insects. I gave up on regular peas and am putting in edible podded round peas instead. You get a lot more peas in a much smaller space.

5/10/2005 10:28:01 PM