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Cucumber beetles #803285

Asked July 27, 2022, 11:37 AM EDT

Hello, I have a problem with cucumber beetles (or some kind of beetles) eating my squash, pumpkin and cucumber plants. I have read all kinds of remedies on the internet, like using Sevin, neem oil, dish soap, hand picking them off, etc. I have tried all of the above, except hand picking because the plants are big and the bugs are too many. Neem oil works for a short period of time, sevin works but the next day the eggs have hatched and there’s more bugs! Plus I don’t want to use sevin because I found out it can harm bumblebee’s and I won’t do that. I’m sure there is something I can do without causing harm to the plants, or the environment. Someone even suggested spraying the plant with vanilla extract. I tried that on one plant and the bugs didn’t seem to mind. If there is nothing I can do at this point I understand. Is there a way to prevent this next summer? Thank you so much for your time! Melissa

Lamoille County Vermont

Expert Response

Hello, 
Thank you for responding to my email. Here are some pictures of the bugs (they are so creepy!), eggs, and one of my plants-
Other bugs I’ve seen on my other squash are black with yellow stripes.
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Melissa
On Wed, Jul 27, 2022 at 2:08 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied July 27, 2022, 9:29 PM EDT

Hello Melissa,

Thank you for the photos and your patience!

Those are squash bugs, though the yellow and black-striped fellows are, indeed, cucumber beetles!

Here's a great resource from our friends over at the University of Minnesota al about squash bugs: https://extension.umn.edu/fruit-and-vegetable-insects/squash-bugs

And here's another on Cucumber beetles: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/cucumber-beetles

I hope between the two of them you find some new tricks to save your squash!

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