re:squash bug defense
My main problem this year has been cucumber beetles. But for every 20
or so cuc beetles I spot, I also find one squash bug.
When I sprayed with Sevin, I saw a huge decline in cuc beetles (actually
none were spotted for a week... alive anyway). Squash bugs returned
after a few days but in a much diminished number.
Two days after I applied Sevin, we recieved about an inch of rain. This
did not change the amount of beetles (or the lack there of) on my
plants. However, I would not conclude that Sevin is rain-proof. My
theory is that the initial application of Sevin really put a dint in the
bug/beetle population.
In summary, I think rain washes Sevin away but I would only retreat if
the bugs bounce back. I hate using insectides unless they are needed.
Trivia: What is the difference between a bug and a beetle?
Answer: When at rest, a beetle's wings line up down the center of the
insect's back while a bug's wings cross and overlap. So Laybugs are
actually Ladybeetles. Yeah, yeah, I know, there are lots of other
differences, don't bother filling my email box with corrections.
rb
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