Sasha CampbellCucumber beetles often attack cucurbits. They target melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, and zucchini. They also go after other plants, including corn.
The adult beetles not only chew holes in leaves, which would be a problem in itself, but they can also transmit bacterial wilt, killing affected plants [1].
Therefore, be aware of the signs of an infestation and learn how to manage these pests naturally.
How to Get Rid of Cucumber Beetles Naturally
Below are some of the best natural control methods and home remedies for cucumber beetles!
1. Diatomaceous Earth
This non-toxic powder is a tremendous organic beetle control remedy.
Diatomaceous earth (DE) can kill striped and spotted cucumber beetles. Sprinkle it on your plants; the beetles will die when they crawl through it.
You can also make a homemade cucumber beetle spray by mixing 1/2 cup of food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) with a gallon of water. Spray the plants where the problem is, shaking up the solution as you go along.
Diatomaceous earth is a natural and safe remedy for organic gardening. However, it can be dangerous if the dust gets into your nostrils. Wear a mask when applying it.
2. Beneficial Insects
Ladybugs are among the best natural predators of harmful garden insects. They will eat the eggs and larvae of cucumber beetles. This lessens the chances of an outbreak.
For this purpose, you can purchase ladybugs and other helpful insects at many garden stores.
Other cucumber beetle predators include green lacewings, the tachinid fly, soldier beetles, braconid wasps, and ground beetles.
3. Tilling
One early prevention for these pests is tilling the garden in late fall. Tilling can help eradicate any cucumber beetle larvae in the soil.
Additionally, tilling just before planting in the spring will ensure that any larvae that survive the fall tilling are exposed to predators.
4. Yellow Sticky Trap
The yellow sticky trap is an effective method for catching adult cucumber beetles, as they are attracted to the color yellow. When you see a sign of this pest, get your sticky tape ready and border your garden.
Sticky traps also make excellent monitoring tools for the overall health of your garden, catching a wide range of unwanted insects.
Lures will help attract these pests, and the sticky traps will capture them for disposal.
5. Use Transplants
Instead of planting seeds, try transplanting cucumber seedlings. Doing so can help keep those yellow-and-black-striped bugs away.
When the seeds sprout, they become more susceptible to damage from cucumber beetles. Therefore, start the seeds inside and transplant them into the ground when they are big enough.
6. Pick Them Off
Another method of dealing with cucumber bugs and other insect pests is to remove them manually.
Put on a pair of gloves and swiftly catch the beetles that you spot. This method may take time, as you can only remove them one at a time.
Drop them in a container of soapy water to smother and kill them.
7. Plant Late
Plant your cucumber plants later in the season. This will help lure pests away to other gardens.
As a result, your crops can remain safe and undamaged.
8. Mulch
Straw mulch or other loose materials around plants can help deter cucumber beetles naturally.
Mulching new seedlings creates a barrier. This barrier helps prevent female beetles from laying eggs in the surrounding soil.
9. Vacuuming
Vacuuming the adult beetles you see inside your house is a great way to eliminate them. Empty the vacuum into a sealable bag for disposal.
10. Hydrated Lime and Wood Ash
Mixing wood ash and powdered hydrated lime is also an excellent natural deterrent for cucumber beetles.
Add 1 ounce each of ash and hydrated lime to one gallon of water and mix. This solution can then be added to spray bottles and applied to the affected plants.
11. Neem Oil
This oil, derived from the seeds of the neem tree, has been proven to be an excellent natural insecticide.
To use neem oil for cucumber beetles, mix 2 mL of organic liquid soap with 5 mL of neem oil and 1 liter of water. Shake well and spray the affected plants.
Neem oil repels many insects and prevents some fungal plant concerns. Additionally, it helps to stop some viruses and other diseases that can kill plants.
12. Hot Pepper and Garlic
This is an excellent home remedy for protecting cucumbers from pests. Mix hot peppers and garlic to make a spicy repellent for cucumber beetles.
Combine six cloves of crushed garlic, a tablespoon of dried hot pepper, and a tablespoon of organic liquid soap with a gallon of hot water.
Let the mixture sit for at least a day. Finally, strain the mixture and transfer it to a spray bottle for application.
The unpleasant smell and taste of the solution will deter the beetles.
13. Remove the Eggs
Cucumber beetle eggs are easy to spot on your garden plants. However, removing them is crucial.
Picking egg clusters from the leaves will prevent them from hatching and further spreading the infestation.
Also, remember to look under the leaves, inspect the plant’s stalk, and remove any visible eggs.
14. DIY Trap
You can make a DIY cucumber beetle trap using a yellow plastic cup, clove oil, and a sticky substance like non-drying glue.
First, glue a piece of cotton to the bottom of the cup. Next, add a few drops of clove oil to the cotton.
Plant a wooden post in the ground and fasten the cup horizontally.
Afterward, paint the cup (inside and out) with the sticky substance.
The yellow cup will attract the pests, and the clove oil will lure them in, where they’ll get stuck to the glue.
15. Insecticidal Soap
You can also purchase a ready-to-use insecticidal soap, such as Bonide, which is approved for organic gardening. Following the package instructions, spray the insects with it.
You can also make insecticidal soap by mixing three tablespoons of liquid soap and three tablespoons of vegetable oil with a gallon of water.
Insecticidal soap will kill cucumber beetles and other insect pests on contact.
16. Companion Planting
Another excellent method for controlling cucumber beetles organically is companion planting.
Corn or radishes planted alongside or between rows of cucumbers have been shown to deter these beetles.
Other plants that repel cucumber beetles include nasturtiums, tansy, marigolds, and catnip.
17. Row Covers
The first line of defense is to cover your plants with floating row covers or other barriers to keep these pests out.
Row covers act like mini-greenhouses, allowing light and water to seep in to benefit the plants while keeping flying insects at bay.
Secure the edges to prevent these pests from accessing the plants inside. However, once the flowers begin to bloom, remove the covers to allow pollination to occur.
18. Trap Crops
This method is exactly as it sounds: planting to deceive garden pests. By drawing pests to trap crops, you will spare your principal crops.
Blue Hubbard squash is a good trap crop for cucumber beetles. It also attracts squash bugs and other pests that infest cucumbers.
The blue hubbard squash planted at the garden corners can help isolate the beetles from your cash crop.
19. Crop Rotation
Another pest prevention tactic is to rotate where you plant cucumbers, squash, and other cucurbits in the coming season.
Because these beetles overwinter in the soil and garden debris, crop rotation can help prevent damage to plants. This is because the pests won’t readily access their favorite plants when they hatch.
20. Vinegar
A strong vinegar spray can kill these beetles. However, it may also kill your plants.
Therefore, it’s best not to use it directly on plants. Only use vinegar to spray cucumber beetles if they are not on your plants.
21. Baking Soda
You can also use baking soda spray on your plants as a natural treatment for cucumber beetles and other plant problems.
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a bit of dish soap in a gallon of water. Shake well, and use it on your plants once a week.
This homemade baking soda solution helps control these pests while keeping powdery mildew at bay.
22. Kaolin Clay
Mixing 3 cups of Surround WP Kaolin Clay with 1 gallon of water provides a sprayable solution for your plants.
This substance will form a white barrier surface on your plants that the beetles dislike, preventing them from feeding and laying their eggs. It is the best organic insecticide for cucumber beetles.
Kaolin clay is safe to use on vegetable plants in your garden. However, it is essential to clean your produce thoroughly before eating.
23. Spinosad
Monterey Spinosad Insect Spray is an excellent natural pesticide for controlling cucumber beetle larvae, pickleworms, and numerous other pests of vegetable crops.
This natural repellent is also versatile. Therefore, you can use it for your entire garden rather than just cucurbit patches.
24. Molt-X
This product is another excellent insecticide for controlling cucumber beetles. The product contains a very potent compound derived from the neem tree.
Molt-X prevents insects from eating vegetation and acts as a repellent. You can spray your plants with it or apply it directly to the soil.
25. Beauveria bassiana
Beauveria bassiana is a naturally occurring fungus that can be used to control many garden beetles and other pests. Once correctly applied, it will infect and kill the beetles within a few days.
BioCeres WP Beauveria bassiana can be purchased from online retailers or garden centers.
See also: How do you get rid of Japanese beetles naturally?
Takeaway
Like squash bugs, the spotted cucumber beetle and striped cucumber beetle like to feed on cucumber plants, squash, melons, and other cucurbits.
They may also go after other plants. Therefore, be prepared and have a plan to help control these insect pests naturally.
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