Sasha CampbellCucumber beetles often attack cucurbits. They target melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, and zucchini. They also go after other plants, including corn.
Adult beetles not only chew holes in leaves, which is a concern, but they can also spread bacterial wilt. This disease can kill the 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 useful organic pest control product.
Diatomaceous earth (DE) can kill striped and spotted cucumber beetles. Sprinkle it on your plants; the beetles will die when they crawl through it.
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.
Also, avoid applying it directly to flowers where pollinators might visit.
2. Beneficial Insects
Ground beetles and other beneficial insects may help reduce cucumber beetle numbers naturally. This lessens the chances of an outbreak.
Other cucumber beetle predators include green lacewings, the tachinid fly, soldier beetles, and braconid wasps.
3. Tilling
One early prevention for these pests is tilling the garden in late fall. Tilling may help reduce cucumber beetle larvae in the soil.
Also, tilling right before spring planting helps expose any surviving larvae to predators.
4. Yellow Sticky Trap
The yellow sticky trap is useful for monitoring and reducing small populations, as the beetles are attracted to the color yellow. When you see a sign of this pest, place sticky traps around the garden.
Sticky traps are also helpful in monitoring the health of your garden. They catch a variety of unwanted insects.
5. Use Transplants
Instead of planting seeds, try transplanting cucumber seedlings. Doing so may help reduce early beetle damage.
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. Doing so will help lure pests away to other gardens.
This may help reduce early-season beetle damage.
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
If cucumber beetles accidentally enter sheds, greenhouses, or homes, you can vacuum the adult beetles that you see. Empty the vacuum into a sealable bag for disposal.
10. Aluminum Foil Mulch
Place strips of aluminum foil or reflective silver mulch around the base of your plants.
The reflected sunlight confuses and discourages cucumber beetles and other flying insect pests from landing on the plants.
This method works especially well for young seedlings, which are most vulnerable to damage early in the season.
11. Neem Oil
This oil, derived from neem seeds, 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 helps prevent some fungal plant diseases. Additionally, reducing insect feeding may help lower the spread of some plant diseases.
12. Hot Pepper and Garlic
This combo is an excellent home remedy for protecting cucumbers from pests. Mix hot peppers and garlic to make a spicy repellent for cucumber beetles.
Combine 6 cloves of crushed garlic, 1 tablespoon of dried hot pepper, and 1 tablespoon of organic liquid soap with 1 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 Plant Debris
Clean up your garden at the end of the growing season. Doing so can help reduce cucumber beetle populations.
Adult beetles often overwinter in weeds, dead vines, leaves, and other garden debris. So, removing old plant material makes it harder for them to survive until spring.
Dispose of heavily infested plants away from the garden. Also, keep weeds under control throughout the season.
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 attracts cucumber beetles, while the sticky coating helps to trap them.
15. Insecticidal Soap
You can also purchase a ready-to-use insecticidal soap, such as Bonide, which is approved for organic gardening. Follow the package instructions and spray the insects with it.
You can also make insecticidal soap by mixing 3 tablespoons of liquid soap with 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil, then adding it to 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 may help confuse or discourage pests.
Other plants that may 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 for pollination.
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 will not readily access their favorite plants when they hatch.
20. Encourage Birds
Many birds feed on beetles and other garden pests. Encouraging birds into your garden may help reduce cucumber beetle populations.
Adding birdhouses, shrubs, or a shallow water source can attract insect-eating birds to your yard.
21. Garlic and Mint Spray
Strong-smelling herbs can help discourage cucumber beetles from feeding on your plants.
Blend 1 ½ cups of mint leaves with one head of garlic and 6 cups of water.
Strain the mixture and add a teaspoon of mild liquid soap. Spray it on and around your plants.
Reapply after rain or every few days for continued protection.
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 creates a white barrier on your plants. Beetles dislike it, so they will stay away. It is one of the best organic deterrents 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. It controls cucumber beetle larvae, pickleworms, and many other pests of vegetable crops.
This natural insecticide 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
The spotted cucumber beetle and striped cucumber beetle are destructive garden pests that feed on cucumbers, 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.
Add comment