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Old 21-08-2011, 10:33 AM
spacey spacey is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Aug 2011
Posts: 1
Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by Katey Didd View Post
How do you stop them from killing the vines? I tried to cover the vines with
soil but that didn't work. I tried Sevin dust. That didn't work either. What
are you doing that works? We are growing squash, water mellons and
cantalopes.
HOW TO KILL THE SVB!!!
I read this whole post after finding out I not only have squash bugs, but also Squash Vine Borers! I hate both of them. Last squash bugs destroyed my squash, zucchini, cucumber, canteloupes, honeydew, and watermelons in that order. Sevin didn't kill them in time, and I didn't know about finding the eggs under the leaves.

This year I got the SVB's after planting all of the above plus pumpkins (which they love the most). I saw 2 of those orange/black wasp-looking things flying around and landing on all the melon/squash vines around 7pm-8pm. Sevin dust did nothing to them even when they landed on it, Sevin spray did not kill them on top or under the leaves, and didn't even kill the squash bugs completely. I went to a feed store and found "Ferti-lome Triple Action Plus" in a spray bottle for under $10. Works on lots of bugs squash bugs and squash vine borers. I put on latex gloves and sprayed every vine leaf (over 100 maybe) on top and underneath and the vine stem. The next day I stopped sprinkler watering and only flooded the above ground beds with the hose until the damn squash bugs climb up on the leaves, you can put a stick next to the leaf and they'll climb on it so you can smash their smelly bug-guts out (or use the soapy bucket technique). Instead of sprinkler twice a day, I do 10-20min. flooding once an evening (about 70-80 square feet) and it's over 100 degrees most days in Okla. and the plants look great now. I didn't even attempt foil or cutting a vine open, just disposed of 2 infected plants asap. The bottle says you can use it up to 1 day before harvest. I still will make it more like 7 days. I got my 1st canteloupe ever today, and will eat it soon! Now 4 pumpkins have appeared, 2 more honeydews, and 2 more watermelons, and for the 1st time in my life I have 2 squash bigger than 5 inches that has not turned to mush. I wanted an all organic garden, but with squash/melons it's just not possible. I feel it's less toxic than Sevin, and I still see bees flying around since I sprayed after the flowers close. Good luck.