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CT

Hi everyone,

If you read our posting of 8/21, you will see that we have problems with squash vine borers. We have a borer, possibly two, in the main vine about 6 feet out from the stump. With approx. 4 weeks left to harvest, do you all think it would be wise to do major surgery to get them out? We are not sure exactly where they are in the vine and as they entered from underneath, and we can't see under there. It does feel moist though, and the vine looks thicker at the site with a tell-tale dead leaf. We know it would take some doing to get them out. How much damage should we expect if we leave them inside for the next 4 weeks? Thanks for all the advice.

8/22/2000 12:07:20 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

rsk,
another local grower recommend this procedure before major surgery. purchase an eye dropper of the syringe type from the local pharmacy and inject some sevin into any suspect borer holes if you can locate them. i "inoculated" about 20 holes last weekend and haven't seen any ensuing leave wilting since. best of luck to you.
duff.
p.s. learned a lot about what to look for this year !

8/23/2000 8:42:45 PM

CT

Hi Duff,

Thanks for the info. We also got similar advice from another grower, but he suggest methoxyclor or BT as opposed to Sevin. We used a syringe and injected BT into the vine at the entry site and then every 3" out two feet in either direction. Wish we had known this earlier before we cut up some of our vines to get them out. Live and learn!

8/25/2000 11:13:03 PM