How to identify
- Wilting plants that do not recover after watering
- White legless maggots in roots or the stem base
- Tunnels and brown scarring in radishes/turnips
Damage: Seedling death and unusable root crops.
Control methods
- Floating row cover from sowing until harvest for root crops.
- Paper or felt collars at the stem base to block egg-laying.
- Rotate brassicas; avoid planting into beds with recent damage.
What products to use
We list product types and what to check on the label — not brand rankings, prices, or “we tested” claims. Always follow the label for your crop, and prefer the least disruptive option that works.
Row cover (primary tool)
When: Every spring planting in problem beds
Look for: Lightweight insect netting sealed at the edges — more reliable than soil drenches for home gardens