Question
Hi, I've just discovered that green cutworms have been making holes in my sweet basil.  How can I control them other than handpicking them?

Answer
Cutworms are a common pest in the garden, especially in early spring. They are very small worms that live just beneath the surface of the soil. They wrap themselves around the stem at night and literally chew it to a point where it looks like it was sawed at the base. Green hornworms are the pests that chew holes in basil, tomato leaves, and other plants' foliage.

Regardless of which worm it is, all worms can be controlled with bacillicus thurengitis, or BT for short.  It is sold in garden centers under the product names BT, Dipel, or MVP.  It is organic and is not toxic to humans or pets. It comes in powder form, and should be sprinkled directly on the foliage and at the base of the plants.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike