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Il

I'm new to this whole pumpkin thing, but I don't want to use alot of insecticides on my plants (I perfer natural methods) I've heard that Catnip and radishes are natural deterents. I also heard that a garlic spray works too. Has anyone tried these with sucess in pumpkins? I'd like to know before I go buy the plants and such and find out they don't work at all.

If there are any natural suggestions for keeping pests off my pumpkins I'd be greatful.

6/3/2006 11:09:40 PM

Mill Creek West by god Virginia

you can try all of them they work allrigth,you also can plant mint plants in youre patch or marigolds all are good natural methods for something a little stronger but still natural you can use neeme oil but be sure to use it as labeled, hope this helps some its just my two cents worth keith

6/4/2006 12:36:59 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Blackcat, need to rethink what were doing...not pretty, not orange, not green, just BIG...anything that gets in the way of that is a problem..KillEmAll..with what ever Ya Got.GrowEmBig!Chuck

6/4/2006 1:20:16 AM

Mocksville, NC

Try buying live lady bugs, at your local nursery, and let them loose in the patch, and neems oil OMI Listed as 100% organic just dont spray in heat of the day night time would be good, and dont use a wetting agent, already combined in it. Its now even a combind fungicide. good luck

6/4/2006 7:04:49 AM

Long Island,New York

Spiders....lots and lots of spiders. Webs everywhere...baby spiders everywhere....

6/4/2006 8:44:34 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Lady Bugs only eat aphids. Cucumber Beetles are bigger than lady bugs. You might try M-Pede (or Safer) Soap, Neem, etc.

Companion plant are really only effective in repelling very low pressure pest situation before they get started.

Galrlic Barrier does repel a lot of pests but needs be applied frequently - probably several times a week. I've never been brave enough to try this approach since the harm caused by even 1 Cucumber Beetle can end the season.

How bad is your infestation & what have you been using so far?

6/4/2006 8:45:03 AM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

Go out early in the morning when there is still a bit of dew and sprinkle white flour on the leaves. Bugs will leave em alone...at least that is what Bob Tanum of "In the Garden" on KCBS told me. I asked what he thought of Merit for cuke beetles and he said white flour.

Good luck!

6/4/2006 4:04:34 PM

Il

Thanks guys. No infestation yet, though my sis thinks she saw a dead one the other day. I may try neem, best to start before its to late, thats why I asked. I didn't want to waste money on stuff that was just here say with no proof. I also don't like the fact of spraying my entire patch with insecticide (especily with dogs around)

6/4/2006 5:05:43 PM

"frost" natures cure for insect pests

6/4/2006 6:50:47 PM

addison Il

The dogs are thankfully not getting into the patch sis as for insecticides you do what you want but i have a question for you all when can we apply insecticides if needed to our plants there a little over a month old now?

6/5/2006 10:52:13 AM

Midwest

blackcat: There's a guy in WI, Reg Destree, who's an organic gardener. He's associated in some way with Drammatic Fish Fertilizer. On their web site, he has directions for an organic foliar mix with bug suppression. He uses neem, mycotrol o and garlic oil with fish and compost tea. His stuff is definately worth a look.
http://www.fishfertilizer.com/FishPDF/Fish%20Rates/2004_Garden_Foliar_Spray.pdf

tracy1: If you are using contact insecticide, you can start now. Careful of the growing tips and new leaves. I am using Sevin, like I said in another thread, just a drop in a pint of water since there's not much plant yet. Kill them cukes!

6/6/2006 1:19:46 AM

addison Il

thanks for the advice see you at the weighoff LOL

6/6/2006 11:04:14 AM

maine USA

I agree with burrhead. I purchase the biggest most disgusting smelling marigolds that I can find and I scatter them throughout the patch. This works great for squash bugs too. KathyT

6/25/2006 10:02:37 PM