How to deal with peanut pests

Till the soil well each year and rotate the peanut crops every three years. Tilling disturbs the growth of undesirable organisms in the soil, and rotating the crops prevents monocultures from taking over. It is recommended to plant winter crops between peanut-growing seasons if possible to change the makeup of the soil.

Identify pests common to peanut crops. Watch for chewing insects, which feast on the stems and leaves of the plants. These include caterpillars, armyworms, cut worms and spotted cucumber beetles. There are piercing and sucking pests such as the cowpea aphid, tobacco thrips and spider mites. There are also pests that thrive below the ground, such as beetle larvae, rootworms and wireworms.

Clean storage bins. These are wonderful breeding grounds for peanut pests, especially types of fungi. Before storing a your peanuts all of the bins and the entire storage area (barn or shed) should be completely scrubbed and sprayed with "empty bin" sprays. The refuse should be burned. You will greatly deter the growth of molds or infestation of pests in your crop if you use proper storage methods.

Troubleshooting Problems when growing peanuts
Examine leaves, stems and buds for damage. It's also important to look for pests such as caterpillars and various kinds of worms. Certain types of cutworms appear in late August, lasting through October. Check daily until harvest.

Check the root systems of randomly selected plants. Look for beetles, borers and wireworms. These attack the roots and pods of the plant, causing failure to thrive and often hollowing out the stems and nuts. Some of these feed below ground on the outside of the plant, while others bore into the center.

Plant your peanut crop in well-drained soil. Roots can rot if the ground is too damp. When watering make sure you allow the ground to dry before watering again. Some results of root rot are yellow leaves that fall off, stunted growth and discoloration of the main root or the entire root system. One of the first signs you may recognize is a lesion on the leaves.

Note that some causes of crop failure are lack of proper nutrients in the soil. Two possible deficiencies are boron and calcium. Lack of boron causes thick, crinkly leaves with a leathery texture. Insufficient calcium can cause leaves to turn yellow and kill growing points. Seeds may not develop and the pods of the plant may be soft.

Keep an eye out for birds invading your crop. They can scratch in the dirt and dig up the soil around your peanut plants. This may disturb not only the roots and stems but also the fertilizers used. Blackbirds are common culprits for this behavior, and the larger the bird, the more damage may be done.


High Temperature:
Actual: -4°C cloudy Wind W14km/h P.O.P.40%
Average: -2°C
Record: 10°C in 1996

Low Temperature:
Actual: -10°C cloudy flurries .30cm Wind WNW17km/h P.O.P.44%
Average: -10°C
Record: -25°C in 1994