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Cincinnati Ohio

Thanks to all who responded. I will try these recommendations next season. Another question on this same issue. I read an article in which this person used aluminum foil to wrap around the stem for the first 12 inches from the ground and another used nylon hose for this. The article stated that this will deter the borer as it emerges from the ground. Have any of you tried this and will the borer go into the stem at a point higher than the first 12 inches?

Thanks Leo

11/20/2012 11:08:04 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

That's false. 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.

The moths lay eggs on the leaves, and it's the tiny larva that bore into the plant and get big fast. I deal with them from May till late September, and if you stay on them, you can beat them.

11/20/2012 11:37:23 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I agree with Luke, they will find some other access point to the plant. Plus, the thought of me trying to wrap foil or nylon around each of the 750 leaf stalks per plant is impossible. As stated in the other thread, a good systemic supplimented by a contact insecticide is the only real way to eliminate the threat. Rather than wrap the leaf stalks I recommend burying the vine at the leaf nodes to reduce surface area and enhance root development at the same time. If you spray the large pumpkin plant with the chemical insecticides you can often reduce the bug pressure on your edible veggies without spraying them at all. There is a good chance the bugs will encounter your pumpkin plants before accessing the smaller zuccini plants. Good luck!

11/20/2012 2:12:04 PM

Omaha, Ne.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/nepga/ViewArticle.asp?id=27

11/20/2012 7:08:10 PM

Lexington, Ky

Nylon hose may serve as a deterrent but I promise you this, if they can bore thru the basal crown of an Atlantic Giant, nylon would only serve as a temporary road block.

11/21/2012 8:54:29 AM