Re: cuke beetles

I have been growing squash, pumpkins, gourds for a long time. Cucumber beetles on your plant is a sure sign that if not treated promptly, more than likely you will get bacterial wilt. The bacteria proliferates while the beetle ingests from an infected leaf and then passes the disease to the other leaves, until you have a stunted dying plant. Here is what I recommend: Purchase Bayer Advance Fruit, Citrus and Vegetable Insect Control. It contains Imidacloprid (Merit) I usually use the recommended dosage, dump this in a 5 gallon bucket and fill the bucket with water. Then for each plant I slowly dump the contents around the base of the plants. This is a systemic insecticide so it usually will kill insects that bite into the plant. I then thoroughly spray the leaves with Triazicide, again I use the recommended rate. I do all of this either in early morning or in the evening. These two controls works well on cuke beetle, squash bug and other pests. Make sure you protect yourself from the chemicals by wearing protective clothing or at least where long pants and a shirt with glasses. The chemical in Triazicide is a synthetic pyrethrum and if it touches the skin you will feel a burning sensation and itch. Good Luck. 
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