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Ohio, USA

Are there any alternatives to pesticides like natural things? I was just wondering because i know pesticides are toxic and stuff.

5/18/2003 2:19:40 PM

Ohio, USA

I mean alternatives to chemical pesticides.

5/18/2003 2:23:21 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Good Luck, AG's are pretty low as far as resistance to most garden pests. You could try a huge row cover, like remay. Then remove it to pollinate. I grow all my other vegetables organic, but will not chance it on my AG'S. The SVB'S and Cuke Beatles will eat you alive. Rotetone might work.

5/18/2003 3:34:06 PM

Indiana

None of that stuff works in our area. To many and to much. Either bacterial wilt or some other wicked disease will kill your plants if you go the natural way.

Not trying to be a jerk here, but might as well make it real clear. Triazicide/Scimitar/Warrior T are the best insect control, and they are very safe products.

Tom Beachy

5/18/2003 5:28:14 PM

Montoursville, PA

Don't even think of doing pumpkins totally organically. If you were a major farm and fully understood the wide range of above and below the ground organic methods you might be able to pull it off. Your help and knowlege would need to come from those who have been successfull doing pumpkins organically. I do not know anyone that could pull it off in my back yard without well planned use, of the so called good insecticides and fungicides. Minor insecticides won't even make SVB batt an eye. Lack of fungicide knowlege and improper selection as well as application will not control the above the ground types of fungus not to mention the underground varieties.

5/18/2003 6:32:07 PM

Knopp, Germany

You could move to Germany, we do not have SVB's or Cuke Beatles here.

5/19/2003 1:13:01 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

It really depends on the pests you encounter. You will not find good alternative controls for SVB, Cucumber Beetle, or Squash Bugs unless you can spend most of your time in the patch. Too bad because around here, these are the biggies.

But most Catepillars, Mites, & Powdery Mildew can be controlled with either "minimum Risk Pesticides" (includes non chemical items) or "Reduced Risk Pesticides" (includes very low toxicity chemicals).

Baking Soda/Oil mies work on P.M.

M-Pede or Safer Soap work well for PM & aphids & some catepillars.

Zero-Tol is useful for some diseases though must be reapplied often.

Companion, ProMax, BioGain & others that contain Bacillus Subtilis can offer some control of Phytophthora & Fusarium.

Potassium Phosphite fertilizers are avaiable now that Aliette is off patent for Phytophthora.

Many forms of Bt are available. Catepillars again.

Milky Spore is still around for Japanese Beetle grubs if they're a problem.

Heritage/Quadris & Compass are reduced risk fungicides that are derived from mushrooms. Strobilurin technology.

Compost Teas & Sea Kelp/Fish seem to reduce P.M.

_________________________________

Try to remember that anything that is found to work as a repellant or control agent will eventually be marketted that way. When that happens, the federal government will require the manufacturer prove their claims in repetive efficacy tests & crop tolerance tests. Then the get an EPA registration number for the product. So as soon as that happens, the product is then known as a "Pesticide".

Example: Baking Soda works but cannot legally be marketted for Powdery Mildew *control*. So they do their homework & the resulting *PESTICIDE* is called Armicarb. Still baking soda & still a pesticide.

Steve

5/19/2003 8:06:04 AM

Chico, Ca

Look At www.Greenfire.net for alternative solutions to using harsh chemicals. I will be trying alot of their products this year and will only use mainstream chems as a backup and they will be used conservatively. I have seen a product at this web site for borers but I do not recall the name.

Remember that you have to live on the same land that your pumpkins do... why fool around with toxic chems more then you have to.

Robert

5/19/2003 1:30:58 PM

porterville,california usa

i replaced herbicides with a duck. i don`t know how effective it is as a weed exterminator yet, but i can tell already it doubles as a fertilizer applicator on its time off. heeeew haaawwww.....really.

5/21/2003 2:53:48 AM

Ohio, USA

Yeah just to let everyone know I am not an eco freak and i plan not to grow totally organically used miracle grow the other day. Just to remind everyone I am growing Casper pumpkins if that makes it any different. I never seem to have trouble with beetles it always is aphids. But when asian ladybugs thrive in the summer I won't have to worry. Rabbits too but I am hoping my shih-tzus will catch some.

5/21/2003 6:26:05 PM