Squash Vine Borer

Pumpkin & Squash vines wilting? Gary Heilig, Horticulture Educator for Michgian State University Extension in Ingham County provides background and management tips for this garden pest.

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Education

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• garden
• pest
• problems.
• gardening
• Gary
• L.
• Heilig
• michigan
• state
• university
• squash
• pests
• vine
• borer
• veget

[4kidsandacat]

So disappointed! The video is incomplete. What I saw was very cleverly done and informative, I just wish I could see all of it! The images are very helpful and just what I have noticed on my now mostly dead squash plant. I would like to know how I can dispose of the parts of the plant that are beyond rescue while saving those parts that have rerooted and are still alive.

[GLHeilig]

@4kidsandacat I am sorry that you were disappointed. Dispose of the infected plant parts by burying at least 18" deep. ( the insect will not reach the surface from that depth). As for the plants that have re-rooted, they may not have enough time to recover and produce. The key is prevention. I hope this is helpful Gary

[Vindicut]

It said On the Bug B gone directions that I could use on many types of flowers, lawn, as well as fruit/vegetables including melons so im assuming they will be alright. the whole garden smells like pesticide though and I have pets so I may have done the wrong thing:(. Im Near the Dallas Texas area so Its pretty damn hot right now and its nearly dried up by now. I try to Water my melons every couple of days for a good 45 minutes, I never let the dirt get cracked. So Much for my 1st organic garden.

[GLHeilig]

@Vindicut

If you want to be organic, diazinon is not the way to go.

Always read the label. It should tell you how long after any pesticide application to wait before harvesting. If you want to be organic, try Neem or a rotennone/pyrethrum mixture

[TolaMacarino]

I picked off all visible eggs recently, although I know some will still hatch and probably bore into my vines. I know of the surgery that gardeners perform on vines that were infested, but I have yet to see a video that shows exactly how to do that, unfortunately.

As well, do secondary roots save the plant absolutely, or will the vine borers stay and destroy that system as well before exiting into the soil?

[GLHeilig]

@TolaMacarino

Surgery on the vines is not worth the time. You will probably damage the plant in your search for the borers. Prevention is the best option. If revenge is what you want, try using a large safety pin and pierce the stems where you think the borers may be.

[GettingThereGreen]

@TolaMacarino There is a youtube video that shows how to cut into the plant and what to do after... the youtube video code is: xEDUHoA7ilY

[Vindicut]

Ive got squash bugs all over my watermelon/canteloupe garden and ive got a few leaves starting to brown. Last night I sprayed em with dawn direct foam diluted (tested on a single leaf). Today ive checked and 1 of my smaller watermelons is browning/softening on top side. Assumed the soap failed so earlier i sprayed some old never used Ortho Bug B Gon. No further wilting or browning as of 2 hrs but now I read Diazinon is an active ingredient! should I try to hose it all off or is it too late?

[TolaMacarino]

@GLHeilig Well, every single one of my pumpkins have had vine borers enter their main stems since my question, and yes, I performed what surgery I could to save them. Thank goodness they are still thriving weeks after the surgery and the vine borers' egg-laying season has ended. Unfortunately, I think that the vine borers' may have hindered the growth of the fruit. The 4 I've harvested are pounds lighter than they should be.