Who knew? Cucumber Beetles

It's that time of year again... things are starting to heat up and with the nice weather we begin to see population explosions of voracious insects that attack our plants. Cucumber Beetle is one that seems to come back year after year and is recognizable by its yellow body with either black spots or stripes. These beetles feed on cucumbers, cantaloupes, winter squash, pumpkins, gourds, summer squash and watermelons and are also known to eat other young seedlings . They chew leaves and tender shoots, they feed on the blossoms and can even chew holes in the fruit... Hearty appetites to say the least.

So how do we stop these guys from devouring our plantings? Scouting your plants twice a week, especially when plants are still small, is recommended.

You could also plant a few of these plants, to act as a repellent, around your susceptible crop: broccoli, calendula, catnip, goldenrod, nasturtiums, radish, or rue.

If you are interested in the predator and prey approach, then you may find some of these predators available for order online: Parasitic nematodes, braconid wasps, lacewings and ladybugs eat the eggs...

Other ideas for the control of Cucumber Beetle

• Use a portable vacuum to suck the insects from the plants and dispose of insects.


• Spread onion skins on the soil around your plants.


• A heavy mulching of straw will prevent cucumber beetles from laying eggs in the ground near your plants. This method will not protect the leaves against attack from adult insects, unfortunately.


• Use hot pepper, water and garlic sprays. That's enough to keep even Dracula away!


• Place a flat square piece of aluminum foil around the base of plants to reflect light onto the undersides of the leaves.


• If the infestation is out of control you could use pyrethrum or rotenone, both organic poisons that can be sprayed directly onto the insect for effective control.


• Sticky traps will also work and can be purchased online or made right at home. Cut cardboard into small squares, paint the pieces yellow, and coat with adhesive. Now you're ready to trap cucumber beatles... soak smaller pieces of cotton in allspice oil or clove oil and stick them directly to the cardboard. The oils attract the female beetles... Place your traps vertically at ground level or no more than 12 inches above (a small wooden stake will work). When the trap is full, start another!

I know there's alot of information here to take in, but these simple steps can help to keep these hungry little buggers from eating all of that good food you planted for you and your family...

Remember, vigilance is required to keep any insect infestation from getting out of control. Do make it a habit to peruse your plantings when you have the chance. Early detection makes any problem that should arise a whole lot easier to deal with...