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Zurich, Ontario Canada

I understand that the vine bore only stays in the plant for 5 weeks or so then exits and goes under ground. Is there any thing in the fall that I could spray and till in to get rid of these s.o.bs???. I don't want to go through the hell I went through this year again!!!! Extracting is not on favorite list of things to do!!!

8/24/2012 5:46:57 AM

Muddy Waters

Yes they have granular merit

8/24/2012 7:14:25 AM

Lexington, Ky

They overwinter as grubs so just about any grub killer should work. Tilling will also help.

8/24/2012 8:34:59 AM

Westmoreland, KS

I was wondering the same thing...I have tilled my patch and now i should use the granular merit and some grub killer?

And then should i till again?

8/24/2012 9:12:06 AM

not so simple
lawn grubs will eat roots and injest merit and other grub killers

i dont think svb coccon underground will be effected the same way .

8/24/2012 9:16:28 AM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

So what your saying is till, till,till and hope you chop them up!!!!

8/24/2012 11:47:03 AM

Lexington, Ky

Don has a good point regarding the cocoon, I've never thought about that. With that in mind, is there any real reason to lay down merit/grub buster to specifically target SVB larve at any point in the season?

My tiller may chop one or two up but with the way the tiller works, it more than likely just pulls them to the top, if you are able to till that deep in the first place. I've slung alot of night crawlers around without injury....

8/24/2012 1:03:00 PM

(lawn grub )must eat the merit in the grass it self or roots of grass to die-thats typical lawn grub
they hatch into beetles etc fly away merit will kill them when there(feeding)

the squash vine borer cat of a differnt color
if merit would work im sure theres alot of growers like me who use it often and theres enough already remaining in soil after repeated use

svb hatches from grub in a coccoon but dosent feed underground on plant/grass roots like lawn grub
it lays eggs on plant and grubs hatch and eat plant but if theres merit in the plant it eats... well you know what im trying to say

im no certified bug expert lol just telling what ive learned
they say plowing or turningover dirt in fall and spring to expose cocoons is best prevention and of course removing vines

8/24/2012 1:27:39 PM

Westford, MA

As Don said the merit works as the grub Eats the Plant/Roots.
If you just apply it to your tilled soil it's not absorbed by a PLANT, and doesn't get eaten.
Apply the merit in spring when(just before) you start your plant.

The Grub-ex, or a contact killer, needs the grub to be active.
I would think that in the cocoon phase it may be a hit or miss. It may get absorbed into the cocoon and have effect in spring when the larve becomes active???

8/24/2012 1:30:16 PM

Westford, MA

Try the Contact killer in the spring when you till and/or a couple weeks before you plant.

Then the merit when you put your plants in.

I'm not sure that the active ingrediants in merit remains in the soil from year to year.

When they're advertising 9-12 months protection, I'm assuming that it breaks down after a period of time??

I too am not an expert in inceticides,


Just a PEST.

8/24/2012 1:37:12 PM

Muddy Waters

The traps work best,cut down on populations.My svb numbers are way down from last year

8/24/2012 5:01:41 PM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

It sounds like they are tough svb's!!!!!!!

8/25/2012 6:44:19 AM

Navarre,OH

2 generations this year. Been pure HELL with SVB's this year!

8/25/2012 8:34:37 AM

Michigan,up North

went out this morning to uncover the pumpkins and there was a svb on the bed sheet.i pulled the sheet and step on him.

8/25/2012 9:16:19 AM

Rhode Island

your a real killer bob.

8/25/2012 1:22:12 PM

Michigan,up North

yeah iam .a serial killer.

8/25/2012 2:15:00 PM

Rhode Island

lol---the "michigan masher"

8/26/2012 7:39:05 AM

Michigan,up North

lol,yeah i was surprised to see one ,thought those bastrds were done flyin around this time a year.been pullin grubs out of the vines.

8/26/2012 5:40:46 PM

West [email protected]

Yup 2 generations, I'm getting them again

8/26/2012 6:07:01 PM

Joliet, IL

Traps and warrior t( demand cs is same thing I buy from doityourselfpestcontrol.com)..... every 7 to 10 days from 1st week of june until the season is over cuz effective on aphids late season too....if spray program is diligent til the end

8/26/2012 7:47:19 PM

Wisconsin

wow I a in wi and thought these dam things were long gone by now. I hate them they are so hard to control.

8/26/2012 8:03:02 PM

Michigan,up North

I like that nickname .I may change my Id on here,I have it narrowed down to Michigan Masher or rednecksheeplover.

8/28/2012 12:44:46 PM