We had an outbreak of the squash bug and we were able to catch them and scrape off most of the eggs from the squash leaves. But I have been battling with the striped cucumber beetle. I've definitely ID'd it. I'm not sure exactly how to combat it though. It seems to suck the life right out of the leaves
They are hard to catch and in looking on the Web, I haven't found anything organic mentioned to get rid of them. They appear to like not only my cucumbers but I find them in the flowers on the squash plants as well
Anyone have suggestions on how to get rid of these guys?
Thanks!
- skiingjeff
- Green Thumb
- Posts: 383
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:22 pm
- Location: Western Massachusetts Zone 6a
- rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
Here's a nice article on cucumber beetle organic control: https://www.ghorganics.com/CucumberBeetles.htm
It has a whole bunch of suggestions. Last on the list is Neem oil. Neem does work against any leaf eaters. Spray it on the leaves and they ingest it while eating the leaves. It is not a poison, so does not kill instantly. It will take a few day to a week to know that it is working, but it does work.
It has a whole bunch of suggestions. Last on the list is Neem oil. Neem does work against any leaf eaters. Spray it on the leaves and they ingest it while eating the leaves. It is not a poison, so does not kill instantly. It will take a few day to a week to know that it is working, but it does work.
- skiingjeff
- Green Thumb
- Posts: 383
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:22 pm
- Location: Western Massachusetts Zone 6a
Thanks RBG and Applestar for the info and responses. They are definitely persistent pests for sure.
Parker, I can pick the squash bugs but have trouble getting the cucumber beetles before they fly off unless they are in the squash flowers. So while I've got the squash bugs under control, the beetles are having a blast on my veggies!
Overall, I can't complain too much as most of the rest of my garden is doing fine with only the normal slug/snail issues.
Parker, I can pick the squash bugs but have trouble getting the cucumber beetles before they fly off unless they are in the squash flowers. So while I've got the squash bugs under control, the beetles are having a blast on my veggies!
Overall, I can't complain too much as most of the rest of my garden is doing fine with only the normal slug/snail issues.
- rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
- skiingjeff
- Green Thumb
- Posts: 383
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:22 pm
- Location: Western Massachusetts Zone 6a