Re: squash vine borers
Once you got them, forget it. :-)
I've read about people cutting them out but it's never worked for me without
killing the plant. We get them every year here in Tucson, with devestating
results.
Some solutions I've heard: wrap stems in tin foil, bury stems at several
points as they grow so that the borer doesn't cut off the water intake,
proactively inject BT; replanting new squash same time as first pick off old
plant, then trash old plant when it dies.
The only solution that has worked for me is to wrap (and I do mean wrap) my
squash
in ultra light remay to keep out the borer. I too was worried about it
being too hot but it seems to be ok. I only unwrapped it this week when it
outgrew two remays clipped together, and I've already harvested plenty of
squash. I was prepared to hand pollinate (not hard with squash) but if you
can get ants they'll do it under the remay for you. If you're worried about
heat you might also try really fine bird netting, since the moth is quite
large.
Note that borers hang out in the ground till next year, so don't cover until
you've checked the soil. It also helps to learn what they moth looks like
(black body like a wasp, hairy legs) and then to chart its appearance so you
can plant around it.
Jonathan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Margaret Lauterbach" <melauter@earthlink.net>
To: <sqft-l@xena.pkiclue.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 12:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Sqft-l] squash vine borers
> Borer parents are moths that lay their eggs next to the bottoms of
> stems. Knowing that, you could try wrapping the bottom part of the stem
> with foil,; or mulch around the stem, intending to discard that bit of
> mulch every day, hoping you discard the egg or larva; or use Dipel dust on
> the bottom of the stem; or grow something strong-smelling such as garlic
or
> cilantro around the base of the stems. Margaret L
>
> >Heeeelp. I have squash vine borers big time! I've got Bt, and tried
> >injecting it with a gardening syringe into the stems, but those borers
> >keep coming back. Any ideas? This is killing me (and my plants)! It's
> >so hot here in Houston that I'm afraid to cover the plants with row
> >cover....
> >
> >Michelle
> >
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