From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ohio

Ok, i got hit with aphids this yr. pretty much brought my melons to a slow crawel. what is it everyone one uses for prevention? i was thinking merit, or some other systemic insecticide. any thoughts? like they say there is always next yr. lol

9/19/2012 3:07:19 AM

Muddy Waters

Its hard to spray melons the leafs are so small.I start spraying the weeds around my patch & old barren plants in September to reduce numbers for next season.Malathion

9/19/2012 5:36:51 AM

Corryton, TN

Alias- generic imidacloprid

9/19/2012 6:09:19 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Danny, know your enemy. Give this a read. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7404.html
I would use imidacloprid, brotherdave knows. Generic Nuprid is another imidacloprid.

9/19/2012 8:06:35 AM

formerly RGG

A mist blower seems to be very helpful when trying to cover both sides of the leaves in a large patch. The wind created by the blower will bend the leaves over allowing for coverage of both top and bottom sides.

9/19/2012 8:22:47 AM

Ohio

thank you all. Dave, is this a spray? going to move patch next yr. read that they will overwinter in soil. the melon plant i took to ky is out of the garden. cleaned up best i could.
Yes Mark it is tough to spray them. was standing on my head. lol
Thank u stevan, great read. will be better prepared next yr.

9/19/2012 1:50:51 PM

Corryton, TN

Label says to use as a drench (mixed with water and put on soil). The plant takes it up and the aphids, and many other insects, start to feed on the plant and it's lights out. Does not work on squash bugs.

9/19/2012 2:22:05 PM

El Paso TX.

Since it is taken into the plant as a drench is the fruit safe to consume after using it or should it only be used if not being eaten ?

9/19/2012 4:07:43 PM

Corryton, TN

If I say yes, there will be others that say "they would NEVER eat one. The chemical companies just want to make money. The government is out to get us." If you plan on eating them, FOLLOW THE LABEL. There is a very low percentage of commercial melons grown without it.

9/19/2012 5:04:59 PM

Piqua, Ohio

some Imidicloprid is safe after 21 days past last application, others are safe after 42 past last application. I eat mine! People say it may cause cancer, but what doesn't cause cancer these days!

9/19/2012 9:05:28 PM

Ohio

thanks Dave. I thought maybe it would be a trench, boout the only way to take care of them. was thinking of starting sometime toward the end of july. they didnt show up till august this year. someone told me to apply garlic barrier also, they said it will help repel them. but i will for sure use a systemic. Thanks for all the help everyone.
Danny Reeb

9/20/2012 2:04:14 AM