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Cincinnati Ohio

i would like to grow a 100 lb plus pumpkin for the grandkids however the last two years the vine borers have tore me up and ruined my patch. i read that they emerge from the ground. is there something i can do now to the soil to help control these things. they also ruined my zucchini. i sprayed with sevin tried slicing the vineto remove them however they won. i would appreciate any advice. thanks leo

11/19/2012 3:05:51 PM

Buffalo, New York

i dont think there is anything you can do now to help control them.

this was the first year i had absolutely no sign of SVB damage on my squash plant.

Like Tom P. always says.........be proactive when the plants go in the ground.

11/19/2012 4:40:49 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

The only thing now is till which might kill some overwinterning, but they will still show up in summer regardless. Sevin is a contact, you need a systemic pesticide or one that spreads the poison within the plant. They lay eggs all over the place and bore in EVERYWHERE including the pumpkins, stems, leaf stalks, vines etc... which is why it is very hard to control with a contact. We get 2 to 3 cycles a year here and I know your pain.

11/19/2012 6:54:19 PM

East Jordan, MI

The larvae hatch during the season, then bore into the vine and eat the plant from the inside out. Many people use a systemic with the active ingredient -- Imidacloprid, so when the larvae eat the plant they die. But is not labeled to be used on things you would eat.

The adults moths do not eat the plant, so unless you spray them directly or use a very good contact spray on the underside of the leaves, they will lay eggs. You can inspect closely and routinely and remove the eggs before they hatch.

Many people bury their vines to reduce the foot print of where the larvae can bore into the plant. I don't think this by itself will work. And if you have them already wiping you out they are multiplying each year.

Have heard some people using a flyswatter to kill the adults.

I have had good results using the SVB trap that Tom sells at http://www.extremepumpkinstore.com/ecom-prodshow/SVBtrap.html

I also remove all blossoms before they bloom (except the ones that we actually pollenate), this cuts down on attracting most of the pests directly to your plant.

Good Luck.

11/19/2012 6:56:50 PM

Minnesota

Email Tom at extremepumpkins.com, invest in some SVB traps, spray every week or two, you won't kill all of them but you can control them. Learn to check everywhere for eggs, stems, underleafs, learn to no what a SVB looks like, be prepared from the start of the season.

11/19/2012 7:02:06 PM

Cincinnati,OH

I use Triazicide (contact) from Home Depot and Bonide (systemic)from extremepumpkin store.
I have in the past used just Triazicide to control them but you have to stay on top of the applications.
Sounds like you have alot of bug pressure so i would use the systemic on anything your not going to eat.

11/19/2012 8:31:35 PM

Cincinnati Ohio

I surely appreciate all the responses and info and I will use this advice next year. Another question regarding this borer. I read that they only will bore within the first 12 inches of the stem coming from the ground. The article recommended wrapping aluminum foil around the stem for the first 12 inches from the ground? Another article used nylon stocking to wrap with. Have any of you tried this. Do they bore higher on the stem than the first 12 inches. My experience with them is that most of the boring was done on the main stem close to the ground. Your thoughts??
Thanks Leo

11/20/2012 11:00:02 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

That's false. See my post above. They bore in everywhere. If you put foil on the first 12 inches, they will enter at 13 and on. I have found most entries on stalks and they travel down to either secondaries or the main vine from there. I have carved them out of pumpkins themselves and stems on the pumpkin. The whole plant needs to be protected which is why you use a systemic. Not trying to be a smarta$$ but they don't have little GPS systems to guide them through a 500 square foot plant to enter at the base.

11/20/2012 11:32:20 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

A systemic and contact insecticide is the only way to prevent them...anything else is a wish..

11/20/2012 1:09:29 PM

Johnston, Iowa

This systemic has done a great job of keeping my patch free of SVB's the last two years:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Prothor-WSP-compare-Premise-75-Speckoz-Aggreszor-/130546503702?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e652d9016

11/20/2012 2:59:36 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

Insecticides are not the only way to prevent them, I use floating row cover over a hoop house structure and haven't had one for 3 years. Admittedly, this method is not for everyone but it works great.

11/20/2012 5:24:50 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Still a wish...even with a systemic and contact you can miss a few if you have a bad season

11/21/2012 7:40:10 AM

Lexington, Ky

All of these answers are good. I see that Don Young's advice from earlier this year has been noted. Don reminded us that they overwinter in a cocoon and that granular assaults likely won't penetrate it.

11/21/2012 8:52:04 AM

Partlow,Va

pumpkinJesus,
I looked at your diary to check out your hoop houses. Very nice setup! I am curious as to what % shade and what type your cloth is. I am looking at shade cloth and am going to shade one patch this year.

2/24/2013 5:24:58 PM