Do you know how to get rid of cucumber beetles?

Question

They destroy all of my cucumbers, and squash. I have found that skipping a year of growing these vegetables slows them down, but they make a quick comeback.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

The only remedy that I am aware of is constantly apply an insecticidal soap or neem oil.Spray the leaves over and under and around the plants.

Colleen Walpert · Answer

Janet is right. The beetles overwinter in the soil or in dead leaves emerging in the spring. The eggs laid turn into 'corn' worms that will also feed on the roots of your plants. The only solution is frequent spraying with insecticidal soaps or other insecticide applications.

Johnchip · Answer

You seem to have a long term infestation in that planting area. I would rip it all up deeply turning the soil and treating it all if you want to get ahead of the game. Even possibly lining the beds.

Patty Bousquet Parsons Caswell · Answer

I spent about a week going out to my plants with a bug zapper and pushed it into all the nooks and crannies in my plants. Bizaar idea, huh? It worked - there were very few beetles by the end of that week so I started doing it every couple of days. So satisfying to kill off those pests and enjoy my crops.

Wglindner · Answer

I use dawn dish soap and water in spray bottle. Spray heavy at night. That's the best time to spray. Or let the chicken eat them. I don't use harsh stuff on my garden. Just spray heavy each night . During winter when it warm day you can spray the space it small spray and tilt the ground. You may bring some to top bird will get them .regular bottle put 3/4 soap then water.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Word of caution never water or spray plants at night. This will create fungus and create more issues with your plants. Early morning is the correct time any watering etc.

Dee Lagermann · Answer

Janet Pizaro - I've heard your comment before; why doesn't the fungus emerge when it rains at night? I'm confused.

Colleen Walpert · Answer

If it rains frequently at night, you will still get a fungus. In a normal year, it will only rain occasionally at night, allowing the plants to dry during the day. Watering at night will cause a fungus simply because the plants are kept too wet on a regular basis. We have had very wet springs and I have lost numerous plants to fungus due to natural over watering especially when the rains come at night.

Julia Holcomb · Answer

So i am currently battling these little destroyers. And i have found that dawn dish soap kills on contact. I have been spraying at night because in alabama in july and august its so hot by 8 am im afraid morning watering would scorch them. I am going to try neem oil tomorrow because it seems that you have to spray them a good bit with the dish soaP and im not sure what damage it could do long term. Also i have read several times that nedm oil is the go to for almost every insect fungus and bacteria that plague the garden.

Do you know how to get rid of cucumber beetles?

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Do you know how to get rid of cucumber beetles?

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