Grandpa wrote in message ...
I've no idea if this will help kill eggs or where ever these miserable
things come from but I understand that Sevin is good at controlling
them. FWIW, they got to our pumpkins too and devestated the tiny crop
we had - totally! I get them in my Zuccini all the time and use water
to find them (amazingly quick) and fingers to 'squash' them pew!, no
pun intended but thats not feasible if you have a large area. I've
read all manner of companion planting and none of it has worked for me.
I've used Sevin in the past (more than 1 application will be needed)
when we had a larger Zuccini plot growing but now have just 4 plants so
doing it by hand is less hassle.

PLEASE OTHER LISTEES - SPARE ME YOUR ANTI INSECTICIDE VIEWS.

Bonnie wrote:

This year we had a great pumpkin crop and melons. However when most of the
pumpkins were orange they became covered with these small stnk bugs. And I
do mean covered! They totally covered the pumpkins! The vines wilted ,the
pumpkins got mushy and their stems fell off! We managed to save 3-4
pumpkins! Then my husband cleaned up the patch and the bugs moved to our
melons and destroyed them! We've grown these things before without this
problem. Why this year are there sooo many? And how can we control them.
Esp. for next years crop. Is there something we could spray on the ground to
destroy any eggs for next year? I live in NE Pa. and perhaps our weather
this year made it a perfect enviroment for the bugs!! Help please!!

Bonnie



Bonnie,

Based on what you've written, I'd say it's the dreaded squash bug!! I
had them in my squash and tried in vain to control them with hand
picking the bugs and squashing the eggs. After my squash, they moved
to the pumpkins, cantaloupes, and watermellons. I did get some of each
crop, but eventually they wiped me out! Next year I will keep a
watchful eye out and attack with the pesticide.

Grandpa,

You mention the companion planting. Did you try planting sweet
potatoes with the susceptible crops? I read somewhere that'll work.
Just wondering if that's worth a try.

Matt