Organic Answer to Cucumber Beetles?

Question

My gf is an avid gardener, though her vegetable garden has a single prolific pest... Cucumber (or Squash) Beetles. She's tried all sorts of ways to wipe the little swines out, to no avail. She's trying to keep to an organic growing ethic, but nothing so far seems to work against them; she's tried releasing ladybugs in her garden, organic-based pesticides... but the bugs just do not give up the ghost.
I'd hate to see her break her organic garden rule over these critters, so - does anyone out there know a good way to get rid of Cucumber Beetles (preferably organic and not napalm-based)? We're willing to give anything a shot :)

Answer 1

Hi

Try this site:

http://www.ghorganics.com/CucumberBeetles.htm

Answer 2

Reemay, also called "floating row cover," is a foolproof way to protect your cucurbits from cucumber beetles. If the plants are already infested, though, it's too late this year. Be aware that (1) they have a life cycle, so they may not be around much longer, and (2) mature plants can withstand a little damage.

Reemay is an airy white fabric, almost weightless but durable (it can be used for several seasons) that is used to cover seedlings when first placed in the garden. It's about 4' wide and comes in a roll. You lay it over the row as soon as the plants are set out in spring...draw it over them and pull dirt up around the edges so that it's beetle-tight. Once the female blossoms appear you will have to remove it so that the plants can be pollinated, but by that time the beetles' cycle is over. Happy gardening!

Answer 3

Organically speaking, you can kill the adult beetles with a pyrethrin-based insecticide. Ortho sells this in a ready-to-use product called rose and flower spray, or vegetable insect killer. Keep in mind that JUST BECAUSE ITS ORGANIC DOESN'T MAKE IT HARMLESS! Pyrethrins are both dermally toxic (if you get it on your skin), and orally toxic (if you swallow it). A better approach is to use a BT (Bacillus thurengensis) product that will target the larvae of the beetle before it matures into an adult. Pyrethrins will also kill your ladybugs. Ladybugs are inneffective for adult beetle control. (however excellent for soft-bodied insect pests like aphids). I've been in the retail garden center business for 30 years, and swear by Sevin for most vegetable insects. While it is not organic, I would feel much safer injesting carboryl (the active ingredient) than any pyrethrin-based product. Check the days to harvest and wash your produce thoroughly after harvesting, no matter what product you use.

Answer 4

White flour has the same smothering effect as Sevin. It works for me!! Try it!!
Be sure to dust in the evening, and under the leaves well. Good luck!
Oh one more hint : To keep rabbits out, take the hair from your hairbrushes and place it around in your garden, using a small amount of dirt to keep it from blowing away. The little critters smell human and they stay away!! : )

Answer 5

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