I have the dreaded triple threat of borers, squash bugs and little black and yellow beetles that seem to suck on the fruit themselves. I am starting a new topic to gleen any expertese on this issues!


Nothing else in the garden (knock on wood!) seems to be suffering pest issues beyond the usual grasshoppers, caterpillars, etc...

sheesh - squash was always the EASY plant. and now i am losing it all, it seems...advice???? I will battle them this year, but would love to know if there is any preventative measures I might make as I look ahead to next year, too

thanks, merri

merri-

Have you looked up lady bugs & seen their larva? They are black & yellow...

I've always had good luck spraying the garlic pepper tea on the offenders.

Patty

In regards to squash borers, I got this information out of one of my Ruth Stout books.

When you plant your seed, mix a tablespoon of cigarette ashes in the hill. In about 2 weeks, sprinkle another tablespoon around the hill. It works like a charm and I have no idea why.

If you have not had enough squash after 2 months, you should sprinke another tablespoon.

Brilliant!
It must be the nicotine in the ashs thatk kills the larvea in the soil (or at least repels them.
I will DEFINATELY try this.
I had to pull them all out this week (total failure ) and will try from seed again.
I think there is still time for a decent crop before Nov first?
thanks, me

that would probably depend on the amount of rain we have the rest of the summer, which would impact your fall production I would assume.

are they terribly sensitive to too much water?
i am a beginner
thanks, m

Well, if the rainfall this year was normal I would say "probably not" but we've had such an enormous amount that a lot of plants are suffering. I usually get tomatoes all the way thru the first freeze but with the fungal diseases, caused by all the rain, I don't know how long they will last.

Excellent drainage in your garden really helps though.

Cigarette smoke doesn't belong in your body and cigarette ashes don't belong in healthy soil.