Your plans for dealing with squash bugs and vine borers - Page 4

Got Worms? · August 29, 2014

It's been a bad year for all my cucurbits. I've pulled my zukes because of the SVBs. Cukes are not doing so well either.

Unable to take care of the over planting that I did this year, as I came down with a really bad respiratory infection, I'll have to be unmerciful, next year when I crack down on all those buggers that got back into the soil to pupate.

I'm hoping that tilling the soil, leaving it bare, and baiting the birds in (with bread crumbs) for a couple of weeks will help.

Next spring I plan on using rotation, row covers and close inspection to head them off. Being in N.Y. I only have to deal with one hatch, so that's a big plus. I usually don't have this much trouble, but the bugs seem to be having a bumper year.

Charlie

beeman · August 29, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got Worms?

Next spring I plan on using rotation, row covers and close inspection to head them off. Being in N.Y. I only have to deal with one hatch, so that's a big plus. I usually don't have this much trouble, but the bugs seem to be having a bumper year.

Charlie

Now would be a good time to use beneficial nematodes, not just for lawns!
Then next spring you won't have have the bug problems to deal with.

Tracydr · August 30, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by beeman

Now would be a good time to use beneficial nematodes, not just for lawns!
Then next spring you won't have have the bug problems to deal with.

I've been wanting to try beneficial nematodes, too. They help with so many types of bugs!

Ken B · September 7, 2014

We've got summer squash (Early Prolific Straightneck and Benning's Green Tint patty pan) that were planted out in May... and THEY'RE STILL ALIVE!!!

I've NEVER seen summer squash last this long here in Virginia. Usually they're dead ~9-10 weeks after planting, and if we want zukes all summer, we have to do successions. These plants may live long enough to actually die from Powdery Mildew!

Similarly, we've actually matured a maxima-type winter squash!! Big Max pumpkin has made it -- usually we can only mature maxima types if we're able to keep them under a humongously wide piece of row cover for 2+ months -- but this year we just had them under row cover for 4-5 weeks (same as with the pepo-type summer squash), and they've matured a lot of nice fruits.

Weird. Wonder if it's from the unusually cold summer/fall/winter last year?

joseph · September 8, 2014

I notice in my garden that many squash plants send roots down at every leaf node that touches the soil. Would it be beneficial to intentionally bury each node so that instead of having only one root the plant had a root for every leaf?

Tracydr · September 8, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by joseph

I notice in my garden that many squash plants send roots down at every leaf node that touches the soil. Would it be beneficial to intentionally bury each node so that instead of having only one root the plant had a root for every leaf?

I've done that and it does help with SVBs.

clkeiper · September 8, 2014

I actually just found an ad for the nematodes in my seed catalog listing a control of over 200 pests with them. I am going to order some and put them in. The cucumber beetles were so bad I didn't even get one cuke without damage this year. grr! On the other hand I had hardly any SVB.

shelleybean · September 9, 2014

We, too, had summer squash much later than usual. I usually have to pull it around the Fourth of July and mine lasted until the middle of August time! Yay!

beeman · September 9, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by clkeiper

I actually just found an ad for the nematodes in my seed catalog listing a control of over 200 pests with them. I am going to order some and put them in. The cucumber beetles were so bad I didn't even get one cuke without damage this year. grr! On the other hand I had hardly any SVB.

I totally agree, Nematodes are the way to go. They do 'get' most if not all in ground insects, even Potato Beetles and Codling Moth. Way to go.
I did have one problem. I bought some locally, garden suppliers, and when I looked through my microscope they were 90% dead. It would be safer to buy them from a grower. If the garden supplier has then in stock too long then they die.

Tormato · September 9, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got Worms?

It's been a bad year for all my cucurbits. I've pulled my zukes because of the SVBs. Cukes are not doing so well either.

Unable to take care of the over planting that I did this year, as I came down with a really bad respiratory infection, I'll have to be unmerciful, next year when I crack down on all those buggers that got back into the soil to pupate.

I'm hoping that tilling the soil, leaving it bare, and baiting the birds in (with bread crumbs) for a couple of weeks will help.

Next spring I plan on using rotation, row covers and close inspection to head them off. Being in N.Y. I only have to deal with one hatch, so that's a big plus. I usually don't have this much trouble, but the bugs seem to be having a bumper year.

Charlie

A bad year is having your squash turn out to be vining when you thought they were bush, the vines went up and deeply into the blackberry canes, and the blackberry canes arched over what little room you thought you had to pick bush squash plants.
Ouch X10.

Mark0820 · January 22, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by greentiger87

I know it's anecdotal, but I haven't had a problem with borers since I started dousing the area with cayenne pepper. I buy the giant plastic boxes of pepper from Asian or Hispanic grocery stores and cover the base of the plant with it.

Very interesting. Does the cayenne pepper have any impact on squash bugs?

Mark0820 · January 22, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tormato

Hmm... maybe I'll try cayenne mixed into a small amount of petroleum jelly, rubbed onto aluminum foil, instead of just plain aluminum foil.

When using aluminum foil, do you put the shiny side facing upwards or facing down toward the soil?

UFXEFU · January 22, 2015

To control squash bugs, I sprinkle Sevin dust around the base of the plant when transplanting ( 8 - 10 inch diameter circle). You will need to reaply after a heavy rain.

BigVanVader · January 22, 2015

To combat squash bugs I have found the perfect solution. Grow squash under cover!

I don't use any chemicals and have never been able to defeat them unless I keep the bed covered. I tried pretty much everything else before resorting to this. I also enjoy hand pollinating the squash, its easy and fun to practice on. Its just so much more relaxing than having to spray and pray all the time.

Starlight · February 9, 2015

Here is some of the practices that I use as squash bugs are so rampant down here. It's even worse when you have a close neighbor who just lets every bug have a party in their yard. Going organic is fine. A great thing actually, but at least get out there and scout and keep from infecting other folks crops when your gardens are only a few feet away from each other.

http://cubits.org/ellasgarden/articles/view/1486/

Then little car dust buster really do work good. Sucks them adults right up.

September 8, 2014	#52
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	I actually just found an ad for the nematodes in my seed catalog listing a control of over 200 pests with them. I am going to order some and put them in. The cucumber beetles were so bad I didn't even get one cuke without damage this year. grr! On the other hand I had hardly any SVB. __________________ carolyn k

September 9, 2014	#53
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	We, too, had summer squash much later than usual. I usually have to pull it around the Fourth of July and mine lasted until the middle of August time! Yay! __________________ Michele

August 29, 2014	#46
Got Worms? Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NY Zone 5b/6a Posts: 546	It's been a bad year for all my cucurbits. I've pulled my zukes because of the SVBs. Cukes are not doing so well either. Unable to take care of the over planting that I did this year, as I came down with a really bad respiratory infection, I'll have to be unmerciful, next year when I crack down on all those buggers that got back into the soil to pupate. I'm hoping that tilling the soil, leaving it bare, and baiting the birds in (with bread crumbs) for a couple of weeks will help. Next spring I plan on using rotation, row covers and close inspection to head them off. Being in N.Y. I only have to deal with one hatch, so that's a big plus. I usually don't have this much trouble, but the bugs seem to be having a bumper year. Charlie

September 7, 2014	#49
Ken B Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: central Virginia Posts: 243	We've got summer squash (Early Prolific Straightneck and Benning's Green Tint patty pan) that were planted out in May... and THEY'RE STILL ALIVE!!! I've NEVER seen summer squash last this long here in Virginia. Usually they're dead ~9-10 weeks after planting, and if we want zukes all summer, we have to do successions. These plants may live long enough to actually die from Powdery Mildew! Similarly, we've actually matured a maxima-type winter squash!! Big Max pumpkin has made it -- usually we can only mature maxima types if we're able to keep them under a humongously wide piece of row cover for 2+ months -- but this year we just had them under row cover for 4-5 weeks (same as with the pepo-type summer squash), and they've matured a lot of nice fruits. Weird. Wonder if it's from the unusually cold summer/fall/winter last year?

September 8, 2014	#50
joseph Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cache Valley, N/E of The Great Salt Lake Posts: 1,244	I notice in my garden that many squash plants send roots down at every leaf node that touches the soil. Would it be beneficial to intentionally bury each node so that instead of having only one root the plant had a root for every leaf?

January 22, 2015	#58
UFXEFU Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Gloster, Lousiana 71030 Zone 8a Posts: 253	To control squash bugs, I sprinkle Sevin dust around the base of the plant when transplanting ( 8 - 10 inch diameter circle). You will need to reaply after a heavy rain.

January 22, 2015	#59
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	To combat squash bugs I have found the perfect solution. Grow squash under cover! I don't use any chemicals and have never been able to defeat them unless I keep the bed covered. I tried pretty much everything else before resorting to this. I also enjoy hand pollinating the squash, its easy and fun to practice on. Its just so much more relaxing than having to spray and pray all the time.

February 9, 2015	#60
Starlight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: AL Posts: 1,993	Here is some of the practices that I use as squash bugs are so rampant down here. It's even worse when you have a close neighbor who just lets every bug have a party in their yard. Going organic is fine. A great thing actually, but at least get out there and scout and keep from infecting other folks crops when your gardens are only a few feet away from each other. http://cubits.org/ellasgarden/articles/view/1486/ Then little car dust buster really do work good. Sucks them adults right up.