From

Location

Message

Date Posted

New Hampshire, USA

If you have a vine borer and do nothing about it, does it mean your plant will die or does the pumpkin vine have some defense of its own.

8/18/2008 10:26:31 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

The vine will do nothing to stop it.

8/19/2008 9:15:48 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

The borer is a gluton & will eat it's fill then fall off into the soil for winter.

8/19/2008 10:24:19 AM

New Hampshire, USA

I took out 8 borers today, the season is almost done so I think the only thing I can do now is ride them out. Next year, I will use systemics but not sure which to you because so many different opinions. Maybe, some of the big growers could share some advice. Thanks to all your replies this year! Jim

8/19/2008 9:44:08 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Jim, Feel free to email me if anyone should offer you conflicting advice. We'll set them straight.

Imidacloprid (systemic) is good insurance to back up a solid contact spray program but neither alone is worth the risk.

Forget every other "opinion". This works. Worry only about the active ingredient names. Both of these products are now off-patent so brand names mean nothing now.

Imidacloprid at .3 lbs active ingredient per acre THREE times.

1st...preplant (alone to the soil)
2nd...week #3 soil again (with Bifenthrin foliar to leaves the next day)
3rd...week #6 soil again (Bifenthrin foliar .33/gal again)
then
Bifenthrin every 2-3 weeks at .33-.5 oz/gallon foliar.

Last time...(I must sound like a broken record by now LOL)

CONTACT AND SYSTEMIC

Never trust either alone.

Bifenthrin & imidacloprid.

Sure; there are several other consumer-grade contacts but they all present some form of compromise.

Bifenthrin & imidacloprid. CONTACT AND SYSTEMIC. There are no other items worth considering unless you have a commercial pesticide applicators license.

8/19/2008 10:18:11 PM

New Hampshire, USA

Thanks Tremor I will copy this into my pumpkin file and diary for next year. Can these products be gotten at home depot or lowes, or agway or hardware/ nurseries.

8/19/2008 10:36:04 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Imidacloprid "Yes". Bifenthrin might be RUP in NH. I'll check.

8/20/2008 4:11:41 PM

New Hampshire, USA

I saw Bayer Advance is that any good?

8/20/2008 9:27:53 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Is the active ingredient Imidacloprid? What percent?

The consumer version is a very weak 1.47%
Pro versions of Imidacloprid 2E are 21.4%

2 quarts of generic Pro runs around $150 but its 15 times stronger (treats 15 times the area) of Bayer Advanced.

8/21/2008 8:36:33 AM

milford, CT,

I have followed Steve's schedule with Merit and Talstar One for 3 years...I have not had a single problem related to a Vine Borer since using these 2 products. On a side note..they do not stop them from laying eggs. That is why it is imperative to get underneath the leaf canopy and coat the underside of the leaves, Stalks, and all exposed vines. If you know someone with a mist blower it makes this an easy process...with a backpack pump sprayer it is a little bit of work but well worth it. I spray on a 10 day schedule. Mark

8/21/2008 5:58:54 PM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Steve, if I remember correctly, don't you need to follow-up soil applications of imidacloprid with a good soaking??

Andy

8/22/2008 4:32:01 PM

New Hampshire, USA

My patch is about 800 square feet, how much would I need of the Pro formula for the season?

8/22/2008 11:49:56 PM

New Hampshire, USA

Mark, How much do those back pack sprayers cost, right now using the hand pump bucket and wand? Thanks, Jim

8/22/2008 11:54:24 PM

milford, CT,

I use a Solo 3 Gallon...@ 80 bucks..I do borrow my friends Stihl mist blower every few weeks to get a better spray.
Lowes..Home Depot have Solo backpack sprayers. It's mechanical pump..piston type. 90 psi..works pretty good but it is a lot of work..If I could pull off the purchase of a mist blower I'd do it in heart beat. <ark

8/24/2008 8:11:45 PM