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oxford, ma

Aside from being in the patch all of the time with a fly swatter, what is the best way to control these pests? Last year, I thought I sprayed faithfully with 7 and Daconil but I still had a big problem. Maybe I wasn't spraying in the correct place on the plant-Help! paula p.s. great web site.

2/22/2000 3:18:03 PM

Bristol,CT

You and all of us dread the squash vine borer. Sevin works as a contact poison. Unfortunately, Sevin breaks down very quickly in the sun (look at the label and you will see that you can eat most foods a couple days after spraying). It also washes off with rain/overhead watering. Unless you spray every couple of days, right after it rains, and directly on the beast, you will probably not stop it. You need to resort to a regular spray program with a system pesticide which is absorbed by the plant. The larvae will ingest it and die. I use Ortho's product Orthene for my roses so I used it successfully on my Dill. I only sprayed within 5-6 feet of the base since the borer only lays eggs in this immediate area. I don't think Orthene is labeled for pumpkins so you might want to discuss other systemic options with you local garden center.

2/22/2000 6:27:16 PM

Connecticut, USA

Another thing that I have been told will help is to turn your garden over as early as possible in the spring. This will bring some of the larve that wintered over up. Then hope for a couple more good frosts to kill some of them.

2/22/2000 9:08:27 PM

oxford, ma

Thanks for the tips. I'm thinking of using the systemic product "Merit" this year. Any comments about this product?

2/23/2000 6:45:26 AM

Connecticut, USA

I have heard others mention Merit. Some had good things to say others still had borers. If you give any pumpkins away be sure to warn people not to eat them. Merit is the insecticide in some lawn grub killer too. I would be interested in seeing the proper application rate for pumpkins.

2/23/2000 6:55:09 AM

Bristol,CT

Merit is a systemic that is a hot item for lawn grub control. You apply it with a spreader and it is absorbed by the grass root system. The grubs eat the roots and die. The question with pumpkins is - Does the plant transport the systemic from the roots to the plant? This may be one reason for the mixed results. You need it in the vine to be effective. Additionally, you should bury the vines 1-2 inches deep with soil. This should help deter the borer as well as help your plant develop a better root system (roots growing from leaf nodes).
PS - Ken thanks for the reminder about warning not to eat. Also, if you are spraying systemics be careful not to get on adjacent edible crops.

2/23/2000 5:38:13 PM

tewskbury ma

thing i do is at the end of season i remove all the vines put them out in the trash that way if there is a bore or two you have done away with them. moe

2/24/2000 5:28:23 PM