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Zurich, Ontario Canada

It is my understanding that the vine borer stays in the plant for a certain amount of time. Then it digs in the soil and stays there until the following summer when it turns into a evil hellicopter that lays eggs for the next cycle. If the patch you grow in didn't have kins in it the year befor and you had netting over it, Could you stop them from getting in from your old patch? I really want to erradicate these s.o.b's. Any input!!!!!!!

3/15/2013 10:49:35 AM

valparaiso, in

In theory I guess it would work. You would need some very fine netting so that they couldn't fly through. Then when you went in there you would have to make sure they didn't sneak in. Seems like too much work to me. Just use spray. If you do it right they won't bother you this year.

3/16/2013 11:37:16 PM

Upa Creek, MO

We get them in 2 cycles here all the way up till late September, and just one can take an entire plant down especially if it the eggs hatch and they enter the main directly.

Years back I remember reading they hatch and only enter the base, cover with foil...etc. False. They hatch and will enter in any plant tissue including the pumpkin itself. I've dug them out of kins, so if you use a cover, be sure to get everything and hope nothing is buried below!

3/17/2013 9:38:40 AM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

Gritch- would you be willing to share what you use for spray and when?

Thanks

3/18/2013 9:23:26 PM

valparaiso, in

I use a mixture of 1/8 tsp. Merit and 1/2 oz. Talstar with a gallon of water. I spray the stems, and vines with it. I spray the vines before I bury them. I haven't lost a plant to the vine borer since I started doing that.

3/18/2013 10:31:55 PM

valparaiso, in

Forgot to mention that I start as soon as I take the hoop house down. The main vine is usually around 5-6 feet by then.

3/18/2013 10:33:15 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

Joe, to answer your intital question, yes it should work. As long as there were no cucurbits on that soil last year there should be no SVB adults emerging from that soil this year. I keep my patch covered with floating row cover over a large hoop house all season right from the beginning and I have not had one SVB for 3 years running. It is some effort to get the cover on initially but after that I completely forget about all insect problems because they can't get in. Helps me focus on everything else that needs to be done.

3/19/2013 9:18:34 AM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

Thanx Gritch and pumpkin Jesus. In theory what I thought was correct is now a new mission of mine. Thanks again!!!! I am going to try to keep them out, but if they do get in I will surely kill them dead. I admit I will miss their amazing war plane flying abillity. (not)

3/19/2013 6:56:15 PM