Pests...How to keep at bay

I would like to explain how much I have found netting plants to be such a pest deterrent that it is worth every bit of work and expense to do it...
Cucumbers have been a problem for years and years with me. Cucumber beetles kept destroying  my plants by providing them with that dreaded bacterial wilt plant disease,
Bacterial wilt is a virus that once is given to a plant there is no cure, it's the end of the plant.
Cucumbers, squash, zucchini, pumpkin, etc etc. they are attracted by yellow flowers and are nasty to try to get rid of.
The best method is a net protection in what ever method you choose...
My cumbers in the last seasons of my gardens were the best I have had in 30+ years...here are some photos.
Just goes to show, a little netting goes a very long way..Netting I used has larger openings, keeps larger pests away and deters the smaller.. Some enter, as you can see this cucumber plant got out of its enclosure, it was so happy it couldn't help itself...








Below was prior to busting out..  a little up and down with front net did the trick.

Dear Jimmy Cee,
I'm glad this works for you.  My cucumber beetles are smaller than the honey bees, so I don't see how this will work for me.  I will need to have the honey bees pollinate the flowers.

What size is the hole of your netting?

Roseinarosecity wrote:Dear Jimmy Cee,
I'm glad this works for you.  My cucumber beetles are smaller than the honey bees, so I don't see how this will work for me.  I will need to have the honey bees pollinate the flowers.

What size is the hole of your netting?

I cannot state size, what I can say is, cucumber beetles wont get through, or won't go through. They do, however get into areas that have spaces in the seams. I never overlapped them. and of course will come in when netting is opened.What you see below has been stitched together, nothing but a few insignificant bugs got in, however funny inso far once they get in, they have that feeling of being trapped and forget why they wanted to come in, then spend all their time trying to get out. Forgetting all about plants.
Pollination is something you will need to work out..I've been raising my sides when I feel it's needed.

I like the netting you chose.  I've not seen anything like it before.  What is it called?

My biggest challenge has always been the dreaded squash vine borer.  I recently bought tulle fabric which I'm going to use to make covers for the zucchini and squash growing in planters.  I may have to hand pollinate but I'm willing to do so to save the plants.  Does anyone know if the SVB moth lays its eggs on melon vines?  If so, I need to buy more tulle.  

farmersgranddaughter wrote:I like the netting you chose.  I've not seen anything like it before.  What is it called?

My biggest challenge has always been the dreaded squash vine borer.  I recently bought tulle fabric which I'm going to use to make covers for the zucchini and squash growing in planters.  I may have to hand pollinate but I'm willing to do so to save the plants.  Does anyone know if the SVB moth lays its eggs on melon vines?  If so, I need to buy more tulle.  

It is called utility fabric at Joanns Fabrics.I tried to get a link for you but Joanns is not coming in tonight

Thanks, Jimmy cee!  I found it on Joann's website and... it's on sale!

farmersgranddaughter wrote:Thanks, Jimmy cee!  I found it on Joann's website and... it's on sale!

Yes, I saw that just a while ago. I am just about ready to plant my first bed and will need to protect some plants...I'm getting kinda lazy though. Maybe just wait for that next sale...LOL...although I love saving a buck.

Joann's web site is showing a 40% coupon to print. Would be good for Jimmy's utility fabric or my 108" bridal tulle.
https://www.joann.com/coupon/?utm_campaign=%5BADL%5D%20%5BBrand%5D%20Joann%20-%20General%20-%20(Exact)&utm_content=joann%20fabrics%20com&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_term=joann%20fabrics%20com