Calculate the risk of wireworm infestation in the field (OK-Net Arable Practice Abstract)

• In spring, with a soil temperature of at least 8 °C, place a pot full of cereal or maize grains into water and allow it soak for 24 hours. • Spread out the soaked grains on about 20 cardboard or plastic plates, pot traps, stockings with adequate mesh size or similar materials. Sealable containers must have several holes; through which the worms can access the trap. • Position the traps at a depth of 10 cm with at least 10 to 15 traps per field. The more traps per ha, the more reliable the results. Cover the traps with earth to soil-level and mark the locations. • After 7 to 10 days, dig out the traps, collect them and count the wireworms. • If one or more wireworms per trap is found, the field is infested quite strongly: economic losses are to be expected. In this case, cultivating sensitive crops like potatoes, salad, carrots or onions should be avoided. Cereals and millet are considered tolerant crops. • Attention: If the traps contain few to no wireworms, it does not mean that potatoes should be cultivated on the field