Cucumber Beetles

[Amylouwho8]

Hi All!

Here in SW Minnesota we have an awful problem with cucumber/bean beetles. They always come on thick and seem to attack the flowers of the plant first so little or no fruit sets. Soon they have destroyed the whole plant. Any ideas for organic products or methods to stop these little monsters? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks -Amy : )

[Grozit]

Amy,
You may want to try floating row covers with your cucumbers with gynoecious seed that will set fruit without pollination. Get to know your bugs better and plant around their breeding cycle.
Roy

[drobinson]

Rotenone powder will slow them down, but should be put on when the blossoms are closed (late in the evening or early in the morning), as it will harm the pollinating honey bees and other pollen seeking insects. Rotenone is an old organic powder made from a plant root, as I understand it. It is toxic to fish as well as insects, but considered reasonably safe for humans. You should look it up before using it.

[Skywalker]

I made garlic mixture to spray on my beans for Japanese beetles. You might try that.

[Jodi]

I'm not sure if Rotenone is considered organic so make sure you check with someone who knows the real deal on the stuff. Wish I was more helpful, but never used or looked into using it myself.

I'd have to agree, chart when you are seeing these pests on your garden calender and planting around their heaviest eating/breeding cycle with reduce greatly your trouble.

[GreenZone]

Someone told me recently that rotenone was NOT on the approved list.

Is it possible to time cucumber plantings so as to avoid the worst part of the cucumber beetle season?
--Randel

[Green Grape]

Our NOP organic inspector adviced me to try Brix Mix from Peaceful Valley as a deterant for cucumber beetles.
Bonide is no longer producing Rotenone as it's been placed on the restricted listing. Last year's product had List 4a, non-toxic inerts as was allowed as last resort by NOP.

[Nemophila]

I used Safer brand insecticidal soap about 2 weeks ago. One application killed off nearly all of the cucumber beetles here. I didn't get to them soon enough to save my muskmelons, but my bean plants (which look like lace from the invasion) are recovering and starting to produce. I hope this helps.

[ronda]

Hello All,

In the British Virgin Islands we have a product called 'pepper pot' - a mixture of Trinidad hot-peppers, onions, garlick, thyme, oil, vinegar. Heavily diluted touch of this gets um!