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Portland, CT

In my opinion the only realistic way of beating vine borers is this chemical called Imidacloprid. The issue with something like mesh is that the borers will bore down the leaf stalks into the vines, bypassing the mesh.

2/3/2026 11:18:27 PM

If you can get liquid Imidacloprid, (Merit) then do so for cucumber beetles and apply it foliarly (per the label, like 1 TBSP. per gallon H2O) to the entire plant (overhead or sprinkling can) and the cuke beetles will be gone, long-term, by the next day, as well as Squash Bugs. I don't recall using granular and I would yerself keep liquid available for a late-season 'shot', I suppose. In 2020 I inadvertently waited or put it off until I saw them both, ABOUT to become an infestation. That was back before it was 'outlawed' in New York State. Again, get parental approval; Protect yourself, Maurice - Use at least rubber gloves with ANY pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or any of that. I probably sprayed my plants in '20 again IF I ever saw another cuke beetle, but they were very much non-concerning for weeks+ after that first 'dose'; IMIDACLOPRID KILLS BEES, TOO(!); It used to be thought of as ineffective against VB. Check for that on here, as well.
I realize that this page is about Vine Borers---Good Luck with those---Please use the Site Search window, too, for all these terms and chemicals, etc. There are 20+ years of others' experiences as well. If it says 'You must enter valid search criteria.', try others, all day!
eric g
PS---If yer an MD, someday, 'MD, MD', lol---(*_*)/(^_^)/(+_+)...
PS2---Haha, mine are EKG.

[Last edit: 02/04/26 1:15:30 AM]

2/4/2026 1:03:40 AM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Thanks I will look at it!

2/4/2026 3:51:12 PM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Merit seems to be some sort of chemical insecticide, I am trying to use all organic things but if there is nothing else organic I may consider it.

2/4/2026 3:59:03 PM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Could BT work

2/4/2026 9:08:44 PM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Or potentially garlic barrier?

2/4/2026 9:12:00 PM

Portland, CT

I haven't heard anything great about BT. It seems like you have to apply it constantly for it to work. If you were going to use one inorganic thing I would recommend imidacloprid. There are great options for safe and organic fungicides but not really for insects. I would definitely try the garlic though.

2/4/2026 10:40:15 PM