RE: SVB thinkings

John in SW WI:
 
In addition to nematodes, I am also using rotenone dust as a general repellent/insecticide and trichgramma wasps which will parasitize insect eggs.  The label on the nematode container says that they are compatible will rotenone and pyrethrins.  Nematodes are not insects, so certain things that insects don't like may not affect them.  Some of the non-organic remedies will kill not only insects, but just about anything else they come in contact with (such as nematodes and other soil microbes).
 
Pytrethrin is considered to be an organic remedy (it is extracted from chrysanthemums); it has instant kill effects on insects, but it decomposes quickly in the environment (I believe that sunlight degrades it quickly).  It is not discriminating regarding which insects it kills, so avoid using it when bees are active.
 
I have used rotenone dust heavily this year.  It has worked wonderfully in repelling cucumber beetles.  I don't know if it will be successful in scaring away SVB moths.  I saw my first SVB moth over the weekend, so I, too, am not immune.  I have not seen any eggs yet, but my plant is so huge that I don't think I can possibly check the whole thing.
 
SVB moths emerge from overwintering larvae from the prior year.  I have not grown pumpkins in my back yard for over 5 years (but I have grown them elsewhere), and I am several miles from the nearest farm.  Thus, I may not have many SVB visitors this year, and my experience in ridding these pests may not be representative of how this approach would work on patches that grow pumpkins every year.  I believe that a thorough cultivation of the garden in the fall and a nematode treatment in the ground (many weeks before the ground freezes) can reduce the number of larvae that survive until the following spring.
 
As a precaution, I am releasing trichogramma wasps that will (hopefully) feed on any eggs that may be laid.  I can already see these minute creatures at all extremities of the plant just days after releasing them.  I don't know if they are compatible with rotenone.  If anyone has any information on this topic, I would like to hear it.
 
Unfortunately, John, it looks like your SVB moth population will be much higher than mine, and the borers will be harder to control.  If you want to try all organic, at this stage I would try pyrethrins and rotenone and watch for signs of entrance into vines (them hit them with nematodes).  If you don't want to risk it, you can resort to some of the non-organic remedies suggested here.
 
Frank Peregrine
Madison, WI
 
 -----Original Message-----
From: owner-pumpkins@mallorn.com [mailto:owner-pumpkins@mallorn.com]On Behalf Of John Barlow
Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2000 11:48 PM
To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
Subject: SVB thinkings

My patch this year has SVB, first time that I've noticed, thought that I was immune to them SOB's but I am wrong. I've killed three moths and watched one fly away.
 
I'm giving my kids 5 cents for each egg they pick and $1 for each moth they kill.  I'm out over $8 (no moths though, my kids know a good thing when they have it :).  I don't think this will do the trick.
 
Frank Perigrine from nearby Madison wrote that he injects nematodes and has good success with it.  Question for you Frank; "Do you use any other pesticides for other insects?  If you do, will the pesticide have any effect, to be concerned about,  for the nematodes?"
 
Open Question for the list; "What kind of happenings could be expected if a grower injected pesticide into the vine? What about a solution of a grub killer?  Is there such a product on the market?
 
Is a product containing pyrethrins considered organic?  Would that work as a pesticide to control the SVBs ?
 
Thank-you for any thinkings you share with me.
 
Best plant is a healthy (so far) Hester 743, ~ 10 feet, first female is as small as a BB.
 
John "Cornhusk" Barlow
Southwestern Wisconsin (Gays Mills)
616 pounds in 1996 (first year luck !)
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