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Stink bugs wreak havoc on cucumbers, Neem to the rescue

Stink Bugs, aka Shield Bugs.

 

Shaped like a metal shield, brown, and slow moving, the Stink Bug favors plants in the squash and cucumber families. They congregate in groups and move slowly on the plants. 

When threatened, the Stink Bug releases a stinky gas to warn his predators. They survive by sucking juices from the plants stems, leaves, and fruits. Stink Bugs also carry diseases and can cause total demise of the plants where they are living. The plants leaves will hang down and look wilted and may even turn black. At that point, the plant is pretty much ready to be removed and the space replanted with something else. It cannot recover and produce fruit.

 

Commercial pesticide such as Sevin is the number one choice for control of these pests but Sevin will also kill bees and other pollinators.  Sevin can kill an entire hive if used near where they are foraging. It is toxic to humans and considered a carcinogen.  Its life is about 2 weeks on the plant. Many pollinators and bees have opportunity to visit during that time and can essentially die when exposed to Sevin. An organic alternative is to use Neem Oil, a very powerful medicinal plant used world wide. Neem is a tree from India and is considered a holy plant.  The oil is extracted from the seeds. Neem Oil is also a very effective fungicide. It is not known to be harmful to earthworms, bees, lady bugs, and butterflies. It readily kills a long list of soft bodied insects, controls fungus, and works best in a soapy solution. Soap helps the solution to remain on the plant longer. It seems that Neem Oil is the organic choice for pest control.

 

Neem Oil products are available at your local garden center. Some are premixed and ready to spray. Concentrates are available and you mix them yourself and put into a sprayer. You will get more bang for the buck by purchasing the concentrates. Some trade names for Neem Oil are BioNeem, Supreme Neem, Neem Pow, and there are many others. 

 

Even if your cucumbers or squash plants have a few Stink Bugs hovering around, you can control them and it will be worth your while. Leaving them to flourish is a sure way to kill your plants and diminish your crop. Using Neem Oil products can ensure a good and safe harvest.   

 

For more info: Neem, Sevin product info, Suzanne’s Gardening Articles,  South Florida Gardening