Cucumber beetles killing everything

[Chic Rustler]

They killed the cucumbers. Now they are starting with the okra and greenbeans.

I need something that wont kill bees. Any suggestions? Im pretty close to fogging the place with ddt

 

[CrealCritter]

You could try a mixture of neem oil for nymphs and eggs, seeped hot peeper & garlic (the hotter the better) for adults and good ole Palmolive original (green) for good measure.

If they have already destroyed your cukes chances are high your going to need multiple applications over several days maybe even a week to kill them off. Its best to treat for them early in the season when you see the first signs of those little yellow & black stripped bastards.

 

[CrealCritter]

Cucumber beetles have been really bad around here for a few seasons. The last time I had them, I used Neem. That worked better than anything else I had tried.
Years ago, a guy on this forum (can't remember his name!!) suggested I use strong Dawn and water mixture for squash bugs. I wonder if this would work for you. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then hose off the plants really well so it doesn't die as well. Unfortunately, I don't remember anything mentioned about the ratio of Dawn/water. I never got around to using it as my squash plants were toast the next day.

Anyone else remember this?

IDK about dawn but Palmolive ORIGINAL green works well for squash bugs.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

I use permethrin or spinosad if there are no blossoms. I can't get a cucurbit to survive past first leaf stage without using these products. The cuke beetles are so numerous that they will destroy a whole row of seedlings in less than 24 hours.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

While I resort to the big guns to get plants up and growing, I am seeing what I hope is some positive results with used coffee grounds. i have been sprinkling dry grounds on the center and around the base of plants. I think... perhaps hopeful thinking... that I am seeing positive results from this practice.

 

[CrealCritter]

While I resort to the big guns to get plants up and growing, I am seeing what I hope is some positive results with used coffee grounds. i have been sprinkling dry grounds on the center and around the base of plants. I think... perhaps hopeful thinking... that I am seeing positive results from this practice.

I used to incorporate spend coffee grounds into my garden soils. By doing so it raised the acidity level (pH) that I had to lower with lime. Sometimes you can love something to death, which is basically what I did. I suggest a PH test kit. Sample before doing any amendments, that way you at least know what your dealing with and which direction you should go.

 

[wyoDreamer]

@CrealCritter Good advice with the soil testing.

 

[CrealCritter]

I never had a great squash harvest out here. Never. And you know that usually there's a bumper crop of zucchini every year. That's interesting about Palmolive, I wish I would have known that back then.
Although I now buy Dropps for laundry, I still have a jug of homemade and use that as well. I found the Palmolive Oxy works better in that than the Dawn for general grass and oil/grease pre-treating.

the only safe thing, I found that works of squash bugs is Palmolive original green. Its must be original and green though, the other Palmolive types do not work. I also use Palmolive original green as a blade lube while running my sawmill, to find gas leaks, like holes in tires, gas pipes, etc. It also puts a hurting on wasps and will kill aphids and fleas (I wash our dogs with Palmolive original green). Full strength it works great for squeaky door hinges and also a lube for screws in the wood shop.

I don't know exactly what's in Palmolive Original Green but I do know its made with palm and olive oils and that's what seems to kill off the bugs.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

I still have a jug of homemade and use that as well. I found the Palmolive Oxy works better in that than the Dawn for general grass and oil/grease pre-treating.

Are you saying that you put palmolive oxy in your laundry detergent? Share your recipe?

 

[Mini Horses]

Did you try Palmolive and water/oil. ?