LITTLE BUGGER
Striped cucumber beetles are tiny, fast-moving insects that have a stylish pinstripe suit.
They are most commonly found on cucurbit plants and cause major damage like chewing holes in leaves, flowers and fruit. On top of that, these beetles also spread a disease called bacterial wilt.
If you notice chewed holes in your plant, or little striped beetles crawling around, chances are your plant has become a whole snack for a striped cucumber beetle.
REMOVAL METHODS
EARLY DETECTION IS KEY
Striped cucumber beetles are fast and drop to the ground when you rustle your plant. This makes them a bit tricky to deal with once they have claimed your plant. The earlier you catch them, the better!
HAND-VAC
The easiest way to deal with striped cucumber beetles is by sucking them up one by one with a handheld vacuum. Make sure to check all of their hiding spots like under the leaves and along the stems.
Dispose of the vacuumed beetles in a bucket of soapy water.
Striped cucumber beetles pose no threat to humans. They are not toxic and will not sting you. They are just little beetles munching on leaves.
NEEM OIL SOLUTION
Please read our Heads Up! on neem oil before using this method:
You will need:
- a clean spray bottle
- 1 tspn Neem Oil
- 1/2 tspn unscented castile soap
- 4 cups water
Combine all ingredients in the spray bottle and shake to combine. Spray the mixture on the top and bottom of the leaves.
Apply every 7 days until the beetles are gone. Due to this being a natural product, it can take some time.
GARDEN CLEANUP
At the end of season, remove all dead plant material and garden debris where beetles love to hide during the winter.
You can also add a layer of mulch around the base of your cucurbit plants during the growing season. These beetles love to lay eggs at the base of the plant. Once the larvae hatch, they will feed on the roots.
Mulch creates a barrier to help prevent egg-laying.
