We live in zone 6a and I have been gardening and cooking for years. This blog is an opportunity for me to share with you my success and those failures that come about on occasion. Plus, I want to hear from all the gardeners and bakers and cooks out there and learn from you. Feel free to share your ideas.







Monday, March 26, 2012

Need Your Advice-Cucumber Beetles or Squash Bugs

I have struggled over the past few years growing cucumbers, zucchini and melons. Either cucumber beetles or squash bugs have attacked my plants that looked great one day and the next day started to wilt. For those of you who have struggled with this problem, I would love to hear from you as to what has worked for you.

One website said to Spray with Neem for squash bugs.
Neem oil, a natural pesticide, has been shown to effectively control squash bugs. Spray it on all leaf and stem surfaces according to label directions.

I purchased Diva cucumber seeds so that I can keep the plants covered with a light row cover almost all summer. This particular variety  does not need pollination by insects.

Another suggestion was to plant the above seeds later in the season--late May.

Love to hear what has worked for you or should I just give up trying to grow the above.
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5 comments:

  1. TamiMarch 27, 2012 at 6:14 AM

    I'll be curious to hear what you find out. Last year was me first year with them. They clobbered by summer squashes, winter squashes (except for the butternuts) and all my lovely pumpkins. I pulled everything and tossed them in the trash so the worms wouldn't fall into the soil. I tried re-planting in June and they killed those too. SM says to get a pesticide but I'd like to stay organic if I can. I am going to try row covers too. Does the Neem Oil work?

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  2. RobinMarch 27, 2012 at 6:35 AM

    Last year was the first time I had them as well. They only got to my sweet dumplings and didn't do that much damage.

    I wouldn't give up and try the neem oil. Let us know how you make out

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  3. Parsnip LoveApril 1, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    Row covers. That is our defense against the cucumber beetles this year. They have been so bad that I am even debating hand pollinating so that I don't have to take them off. I feel your pain.

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  4. Parsnip LoveApril 1, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Thought of one other thing. We have used Garden's Alive "Surround At Home Protectant" with some success against the cucumber and mexican bean bettles. It is just kaolin clay in powder form and you mix it with water and spray it on every other day or so. In terms of things that haven't worked for us, we have also tried diatomaceous earth which didn't work AT ALL. Cucumber beetles were totally unfazed.

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  5. Tomato ThymesApril 2, 2012 at 7:49 PM

    Thanks Parsnip Love regarding the Garden's Alive "Surround At Home Protectant" .

    Lis

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