Laboratory methods for control of Melanotus communis attacking corn were conducted with seed coatings, soil treatment, and insecticide-fertilizer mixtures. Thirteen different materials were used in several formulations. Most of the tests were conducted in gallon-size tin cans with 5 wireworms, 5 seeds, and 5 replicates. Efficacy of methods and materials was based on percentage of wireworms killed and plants damaged by wireworms. Greatest kills were obtained with heptachlor, aldrin, lindane, and dieldrin. Heptachlor gave the best protection against wireworm damage. The largest dosage of insecticide did not necessarily produce the greatest kill of wireworms as was noted in seed-coating with aldrin and dieldrin and in the insecticide-fertilizer treatment with heptachlor. The insecticide-fertilizer and seed-coating methods resulted in fair kill and a good amount of protection against wireworm damage.