too many squares!!

GWN wrote:
Kay, I am a smidgeon lost. What does SVB stand for, and BT?

Squash Vine Borer and Bacillus Thuriengensis(an organic pesticide).

In my zone, I'd probably just plant some flowers that attract beneficial insects since we're getting ready to hit what promises to be a hot summer...and we all know that means pest insects, especially since the veggies may be stressed because of the heat.

especially since the veggies may be stressed because of the heat.

OH and what is that last word....... heat...????

I have a huge perennial garden that I also started many of in my greenhouse

and I have tried to put a perennial flower (or annual) in the corner of each bed. nasturtiums and lupins.

Oh and Kay, what do you do with the syringe/needle

Inject BT into the stem of the squash to prevent/kill any squash vine borers.

Kay

Injecting BT into the stem as a preventative? That sounds like it would be effective! Haven't heard that before. How much and what spacing interval along the stem?

I've tried everything for SVB but each year have only been successful in delaying the eventual demise of my squash and zuccs. This would be brilliant if it works!

Found this on another site:

For injecting BT into SVB infected squash stems, I make up the BT at 1 teaspoon (liquid BT) to 1 cup of water (more concentrated). I've done this with Thuricide and one other type (can't remember the name). I use a 3ml syringe and a 16 to 18g needle. You can probably use a 20g and be OK. Any thing smaller (meaning larger number) might be too small. Human medical needles are usually insulin syringe needles of about 27g to 30g and are much too small. You can find larger gauge needles in Livestock supply stores (look for Farm and Ranch stores, Tractor Supply Company, Feed stores - Agway, etc or horse supply stores). They should have the larger syringes, too. I inject about 1 ml in the area of the SVB damage, sometimes more. I've also injected BT into the base of healthy squash as a preventative.

WEAR SAFETY GLASSES OR GOGGLES WHEN INJECTING THE BT!!! This is very important! The squash vine can block the needle. When this happens, the needle separates from the syringe and the BT will shoot back with great pressure directly into your eyes. Not a good idea. Also, please buy a sharps container at the drugstore for disposal of your needles. Trash collectors do not like to get stabbed with un-known needles. You can also keep and re-use the needles.

Prior to infection (or if the SVB are still laying) you can spray the outside of the squash stems with BT at 1 tablespoon to a gallon. Again, wear goggles. The BT really irritates the eyes.

I have had injecting BT work very well for the last three years. Two years ago, I injected both BT and beneficial nematodes and saved many of my already wilting squash. I never knew whether it was the BT or the nematodes that worked. Two years ago, I used BT alone on a few sacrificial squash and worked well. I have saved several that were infected and recovered.

There are several threads that have info on injecting BT:

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t2268-radishes-and-squash-borers

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3339-waging-war-against-the-squash-vine-borer

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t12751-what-to-do-for-squash-borers

I use the search button in the top left corner

Just one thought, Doctors offices usually have all sizes of needles, 18 up to 27 gauge.
So if you have access to a medical office, they likely will have any size you want.

GWN wrote:Just one thought, Doctors offices usually have all sizes of needles, 18 up to 27 gauge.
So if you have access to a medical office, they likely will have any size you want.

Feed stores might have them and they can be ordered from supply places like Jeffers on line. If you don't have/can't get needles, cut off a leaf just above where the borer might be and put a few drops(use an eye dropper or put the nozzle of a prayers up to it & spray) in the open leaf stem. I also sprayed the squash when I sprayed BT for tomato hornworms.

GWN wrote:Just one thought, Doctors offices usually have all sizes of needles, 18 up to 27 gauge.
So if you have access to a medical office, they likely will have any size you want.

I just walked into Walgreens and asked the pharmicist if I could buy two hyperdermics. He asked what size and I said I don't know I just want it for my squash plants. Don't even know what size he sold me. 25cents each.

Kay

The smaller the number the larger the bore in the needle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_gauge_comparison_chart

GWN wrote:Just one thought, Doctors offices usually have all sizes of needles, 18 up to 27 gauge.
So if you have access to a medical office, they likely will have any size you want.

I cleaned out & re-purposed the syringe-like applicator for refilling ink cartriges to inject BT... it has a blunt but very long needle-like tip. Because the tip is blunt, I can feel when I have breached the hollow of the stems.

Well I have looked up all those horrible bugs and have had no evidence of them here.
WIth my spare squares I have planted more cucumbers, more beans, more spinach, more carrots, LOTS MORE basil and I have left a few squares with a lot of compost from my yard, so will see which volunteers com up first....