Do Essential Oils Kill Cutworms? How about neem, orange or cedarwood oils?

If you’ve ever walked out to your garden to find young plants severed near the soil surface as if someone took a pair of scissors to them, you know the shock of a cutworm infestation. Cutworms are the larvae of various moths in the family Noctuidae. They vary in color and markings but share a common tendency to curl into “C” shapes when disturbed. Adults are beneficial pollinators that don’t harm crops. Moths emerge in the summer to mate and lay eggs.

Many different essential oils are effective against cutworms. Some of the more common oils used against cutworms include neem, cedarwood and orange oil. Unfortunately, all liquid pesticides evaporate eventually, and it’s difficult to determine how long organic oils remain active within the soil, as those factors can vary with weather and temperature conditions. Pest control maintenance is key with any type of garden infestation, and refreshing organic treatments can get expensive. For this reason, I recommend spreading our cedar granules over the soil after applying the cedar oil concentrate. The pest controlling aromas of the granules recharge when it rains, sending a fresh burst of cedar infused liquid into the soil and delivering up to two months of residual effects. It’s a very economical way of ensuring that soil stays treated.

Cutworms overwinter as larvae and emerge in the spring ready to eat when the first tender seedlings erupt. A good soil soak early in the spring is instrumental in controlling cutworms and many other pests at the onset. Insecticides are best applied late in the day or early in the evening when cutworms are most active.

Beware that you may begin to notice dead bugs in your puddles when you begin working with cedar granules. The first time I used them in my yard, I ended up with dead grasshoppers all over the place, much the to dismay of my niece and nephew, who were obsessed with capturing the critters and keeping them in vented jars. On the bright side, cedar oil concentrates are often noted to bring about a reduction in aphids, thrips and scales. Pet owners love treating their yards to control fleas, ticks and mites in the grass.

More About Our Granules

These are not your basic wood chips from the hardware store. They are extremely potent red cedar heartwood granules from aged red cedar trees. They’re chopped into fine granules to ensure that they become part of the soil instead of just sitting on top. Place them around the base of your home as a rodent repellent or sprinkle them throughout the yard to repel a wide variety of insects. The pest controlling aromas of the granules recharge when it rains, delivering two months of residual effects. One bag of granules covers 1,500 square feet, but you may spread them more thickly if needed. Apply a two foot wide band beside the home foundation to discourage insects and rodents from entering your home. These granules contain high concentrates of aromatic red cedar oil which is offensive to insects. The long lasting aroma will repel fleas, mosquitoes, roaches, scorpions, flies, rodents and venomous snakes.

More About Cedar Oil

Cedar oil is a BASE NOTE. In the world of aroma therapy and perfume making, a top note is defined as the first scent you detect in a perfume blend. The base note is the lingering essence that stays with you long after the top note has faded. (Common top notes include orange and lemon.) For this reason, organic mosquito repelling formulas often contain top notes made of citrus oils with a base made of cedar to prolong pest controlling effects.

The power of cedar oil has been well documented throughout the ages. As a destroyer of bacteria and parasites that break down flesh, it was a prized substance used by the Egyptians in the mummification process. For centuries, it has been used as a holistic treatment for a variety of skin conditions caused by bacterial and fungal organisms. Early American settlers blanketed their cabins with cedar needles to repel insects, rodents and snakes. Even today, cedar oil is a very popular organic pesticide for commercial crops and vegetable gardens. Dog houses and cattle fences are still built with cedar wood, which naturally resists decay and pest infestation for 50 years or more.

Our Product Works in Many Ways:

• Repels a wide variety of insects with an intense cedar aroma
• Erodes the exoskeleton of insects, contributing to early demise
• Dissolves eggs on contact, but not by proximity. (Eggs must come in direct contact with the formula, not just the vapors.)
• Masks the scent trails that many insects use to communicate, coordinate and flourish
• Discourages new insects from moving into treated territory

Product Details:

Our outdoor concentrate comes in many sizes:

• Quart Size: One quart makes 8 gallons of solution for outdoor pest control and organic farming applications. Each gallon of mixed solution treats 1,000 square feet. Apply with a hose end sprayer.
• Gallon Size: The gallon sized version of our outdoor formula is an excellent value for large yards and wooded lots. One gallon makes 32 gallons of solution for crops, yards, gardens, patios and more.
• 55 Gallon Drum: Huge bulk savings for large commercial farms. One drum makes 1760 gallons of solution. Each gallon of mixed solution covers 1,000 square feet.

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