List of Insecticides to Use on Sweet Corn

Cyfluthrin

• Farmers use cyfluthrin to target a range of sweet corn pests, including the European corn borer, corn earworm and flea beetles. Cyfluthrin is derived from pyrethrum. According to the National Pesticide Information Center, pyrethrins like cyfluthrin are the least harmful chemical insecticides for mammals, with inhalation causing coughing and wheezing, and skin contact causing rash, but further poisoning is uncommon. Furthermore, cyfluthrin rapidly decomposes with exposure to light and water, making it relatively safe environmentally.

Spinosad

• Spinosad is effective against European corn borers, corn earworms and fall armyworms that regularly feed on sweet corn. Spinosad is a bacteria-derived insecticide and is considered one of the safest insecticides in use. Spinosad has the added advantage of not being toxic to most "good" bugs, like lady beetles that naturally help keep pests at bay, but it is extremely toxic to bees, so use with caution in areas with high bee populations.

Lambda Cyhalothrin

• Lambda cyhalothrin is a pyrethrum-derived insecticide that targets corn earworms, flea beetles, European corn borers, fall arymworms and cutworms---all sweet corn pests. As a pyrethrum derivative, lambda cyhalothrin has low toxicity to mammals, but it can be dangerous if eaten, according to the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network. Lambda cyhalothrin is broken down by sunlight and has a half-life on plant surfaces of five days.

Bacillus Thurengiensis

• Bacillus thurengiensis is a natural insecticide made from a bacterium. Bacillus thurengiensis is effective against many pests--corn root worm and corn borers are especially susceptible--and it has the advantage of not harming beneficial insects. Researchers are gradually genetically modifying sweet corn to include bacillus thurengiensis in its structure, thus making it internally resistant to common pests.