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Lawrenceville, Illinois

I found several spots on my two plants where something has burrowed its way in there. On further inspection, I found large white larvea in my vines. I sprayed my plants with a multi-bug killer. What can I do to save them???

7/20/2011 6:25:48 PM

Pataskala,OH

You can try cutting them out, but if there are more then a few borers it is kind of impractical and the vine will be severely damaged.

I had them in my plants really bad the first year I grew giant pumpkins. Once I noticed them it was too late. There were hundreds. Pesticide had to be applied to kill them before they enter the vine. The vine protects them from pesticide spraying once they are in. Unless it is a systemic pesticide but I think that only works when the borers are still very small.

7/20/2011 6:56:52 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

That's the squash vine borer. I'd get some systemic pesticide on it ASAP. I use the Bayer Tree and Shrub. It's a drench, and the roots absorb the poison so when the borer eats luch it dies. Spot spray won't help now.

My first year with field pumpkins I had no idea that the big black and red moth flying around was laying eggs in which larvae would hatch and eat its way through the vine. I ended up saving part of the vine and grew a few small jackos. I also thought Cuke beetles were just a pretty little yellow ladybug.

7/20/2011 7:22:14 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

i've fished them out in th past with a small hooked wire.

7/20/2011 9:37:23 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Glen ...You are a veteran!!!...how far down is the plant wilting?? Prevention is the best option but once you've been hit you can do what ever you can to save em...go with the borer suggestion to start...if they're in one spot more then likely in more spots..look for frass....looks like sawdust on the vine...thats where they hatched and bored in...if you see more spots then what we are talking about ..probably over this year...need to use Grubex next year and a more aggressive spray program. Good Luck. GrowEmBig! Chuck

7/20/2011 10:03:17 PM

Lawrenceville, Illinois

Thanks you guys. I have been cutting them out and my pumpkin is still getting considerably bigger. There weren't too many of them. I will definitely be better prepared next time.

7/24/2011 3:10:12 PM