Help! adult cucumber beetle and Japanese beetles

dcgelinas 7/3/2010, 1:26 pm

What can I use to kill these pests? They are on my cuke and tomato plants. I tried to squish some but I could be here all day! I'm trying to stay organic but at this rate I won't have any cukes as they are eating all the blossoms.

Chopper 7/3/2010, 2:11 pm

Neem oil is organic and kills Japanese beetles (and other beetles). You can also add milky spore disease (it is an organic thing) and it should kill the grubs in the lawn. If you don't do that they will only increase. beneficial nematodes also kill the grubs in the lawn.

MarcyG 7/4/2010, 8:08 pm

I found in a book a recipe to keep the beetles off your plants

1/2 cup cayenne pepper
1/2 cup Jalapeno pepper
1 gallon water

I used powdered cayenne and chopped an jalapeno up real small I only made 1/2 a batch

put all ingredients in a pan and bring it to a boil turn down heat and simmer for 1/2 an hour. When it's cooled off strain out the chunks and put liquids in a spray bottle spay plants as needed.

it has seemed to work so far but every am and pm I go out with a bowl that has a little dish soap and if I find any beetles I pick them off and put them in the water and that kills them.

miinva 7/4/2010, 8:40 pm

I read an article the other day that talked about how valuable companion planting is and that companions should be planted one for one to keep things in balance. I keep seeing wasps carrying off little bugs for their larva to feed on Smile

quiltbea 7/4/2010, 11:37 pm

I find the best defense is prevention.
Try covering your plants with row cover (insect barrier weight) unless they are in blossom so they can be pollinated by bees and breezes. That befuddles the little beasties.
To further prevent beasties, when your plants start to blossom, move back the cover and use Q-tips to transfer pollen from one blossom to another.
Its tedious, but then you can cover your plants again.
Just repeat this daily for several day.

Dietryin 7/5/2010, 7:53 pm

I had an infestation last week, 100's of them. People on here suggested neem oil & hand picking and dropping them in soapy water. I did both, it worked really fast. Now I only see and pick as few as 10 a day.

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Help! adult cucumber beetle and Japanese beetles

Help! adult cucumber beetle and Japanese beetles

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Re: Help! adult cucumber beetle and Japanese beetles

Re: Help! adult cucumber beetle and Japanese beetles


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