QUESTION: Our corn often gets borers, which we just trim out before eating. The cobs (not the damaged sections) have always gone in the compost. But is that making the problem worse?

ANSWER: Borer moths lay eggs on corn leaves, not used cobs. So assuming you cook yours long enough to kill lurkers, the compost is safe. And though borers are most obvious in the ears, they generally live in the stalks, where they can spend the winter. The best way to break the cycle is to destroy all corn plant debris and urge your neighbors to do likewise.

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