Growing pumpkins? Are you plagued with Squash Vine borers, Melittia cucurbitae? Not sure what damage this pest does. Look for a small hole in pumpkin vine with frass (looks like sawdust). Squash Vine borers girdle the stem and prevent the plant from taking up water and nutrients resulting in sudden wilt and eventually death.
To trap this pest you will need a durable yellow and white universal funnel trap and a sex pheromone lure. The pheromone lure attracts the Squash Vine borer moth to this trap and 1 inch of water in the bottom of the trap will trap and kill the moths. This items are sold separately.
Plants Affected: Hubbard squashes, zucchini, pumpkins and gourds, and other squashes. Squash vine borers dont usually attack cucumbers and melons.
Timing: Place traps outside the gardens in early June, this pest is active in Late June into July.
Coverage: 1 to 2 traps per 10 acres. This may be increased to 4 to 5 traps for heavy infestations per 10 acres.
Other Control methods: The Squash Vine borer pupae overwinter in the top 1-5" of soil, frequent cultivation by disking or ploughing before planting will reduce their numbers later. This practice should be done in the Fall, and continue right up until planting in the Spring.
