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northeast MO

So I've been growing pumpkins the last few years mostly just for fun. I enjoy giving them away to the kids to carve and have even had good luck selling some. This year was a horrible year here in MO with the drought and scorching temps. Regrettably I've also had a continuing problem with cucumber beetles. This year however I also got to fight squash bugs all year. I've been reading on systemic pesticides and am intrigued by what I'm reading but wanted some recommendations from folks that have used them in the past. What did you use (brand?) What is the active ingredient that I need to look for? Does it work in controlling those 2 critters? How bout SVB's? I've never had a problem with SVB's but dont want any problem with em either. Any insight and help would be greatly appreciated.

9/17/2012 7:16:03 PM

northeast MO

Also how is it applied? I've read different things about applying it in the soil prior to planting as well as mixin it with water and spraying it on. I know of course application varies with different products but do those of you that use it use both a granular type as well as a liquid type? (I'm assuming the kind that is spread in the soil prior to planting is a granular variety.) I've controlled, somewhat, the cucumber beetles in the past with sevin but with having to spray after every rain its more than I can keep up with with the size of the patch that I have. Thanks again.

9/17/2012 7:26:42 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

For systemic, merit 75WP is the stuff. Ingredient = imadecloprid (bad spelling). It is a powder that is mixed with water and sprayed on the soil surface where the roots of the plant will grow and absorb. One application lasts about 90 days or so.

9/19/2012 3:51:42 PM

northeast MO

So its just sprayed on the soil prior to planting and thats it? As the vines grow does it need to be sprayed on the soil that the vines are going to cover? After the plant is growing and putting out vines is it then sprayed on the plant itself?

9/20/2012 6:07:49 PM