Last year, my cucumber plants were totally wiped out by cucumber beetles. I've heard a rumor that if I delay planting, it might trick those pesky yellow bugs into thinking there won't be any cucumber plants this year. Is there any truth to that? If waiting isn't a good strategy, I'd really appreciate any other tips. I usually plant in May. What do you think?
3 Answers
Honestly, I'm not convinced that delaying planting is the way to go. The best method I've found is to cover your plants with floating row covers. This keeps the cucumber beetles away for a while, and once the plants get bigger, they tend to lose interest. Just remember to take the covers off when they're mature enough!
I’ve tried delaying planting for both cucumbers and squash, but didn't fool any of those little buggers! It was frustrating, but I’m giving it one last shot this year with row covers. Worth a try if you're feeling adventurous!
Waiting likely won't make too much of a difference. Cucumber beetles become active when temperatures hit around 50°F, and they can lay eggs quickly. They breed a couple of times each summer, so it’s a tough battle. But I want to share a little hope: they drove me nuts about five years ago, and then they just vanished! Keep your fingers crossed for that to happen for you too. Check out this site for some solid info: [Cucumber Beetles Info](https://extension.usu.edu/vegetableguide/leafy-greens/cucumber-beetles).
Thanks for the tip! I think I’ll give the row covers a shot too. Definitely worth experimenting!