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pest infestation...should I toss out the bean plants?
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Author:  organicgirl [ Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:11 pm ]
Post subject:  pest infestation...should I toss out the bean plants?

Hi,
We are having a major infestation of the yellow spotted cucumber beetle. We've been fighting them off for a few weeks with lady bugs, lace wings and now trying praying mantis, but we are overwhelmed with them. We're even paying the kids a dime apiece since last week...they are multiplying to quickly. The leaves on my bush beans and pole beans look like swiss cheese - didn't know that this would be their favorite food. They are also getting on everything else (tomatoes, peppers, basil, cucumbers, melons), but doing the most damage to the beans now.

We already pulled out the zucchini and yellow squash plants. Should I pull out the bean plants? We've also been spraying garlic pepper teas...need some quick advice!

Thanks

organicgirl in North Dallas

Author:  northwesterner [ Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: pest infestation...should I toss out the bean plants?

Take a look at this thread - see if the advice there helps. And in particular, Doug posted links to two new organic pest control products that you might want to try before you trash your garden.

Author:  eastside bill [ Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: pest infestation...should I toss out the bean plants?

i had the same problem. tried garlic/pepper bettles loved the new flavor on the squash, corn and beans. i was also squishing them but they are fairly fast to fly and i noticed a new generation of smaller bugs so got some neem oil and spinosad . sprayed back about thurs/fri last week and it seems to have knocked them back to where i am only seeing 1 or 2 a day.
also had started having some downy mildrew on sauash which i think had been brought in by the cucmber beatles(?) so we willl see in a few days if it worked

Author:  Kathleen-GT [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 3:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: pest infestation...should I toss out the bean plants?

I've had seemingly crazy numbers of cucumber and other beetles in my garden too. I found an organic remedy that seems to work to keep most of them under control, including stink bugs. I'm not sure how good it is for the good bugs, but it's at least controlling my problem. Maybe Northwesterner or Sandih know more about it. Being new to this, I may be using something I shouldn't. It's called Mycotro-O, and I found it at Arbico Organics. I seem to be able to use it in the early morning, even in the heat, without damaging the plants. But it says it's best to use it in the evening when the bugs are most active. Good luck!

Author:  northwesterner [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: pest infestation...should I toss out the bean plants?

It's highly subjective - deciding when to fight back against the bugs and when to call it quits on that part of the garden. In this hottest time of the year, when plants are exhausted, sometimes pulling them and starting something new is the best bet. Be sure you work that bed a bit before you plant something in it - and doing another application of beneficial nematodes wouldn't hurt. I'm probably going to be doing that one of these days if we get another rain. It's also time to do a drench of Garrett juice and orange oil where the worst of the pests have been.

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