How to Prevent and Control Cucumber Beetles 5 Ways

[@MIgardener]

Join our grand opening HERE: facebook.com/events/1207102369830265

[@etet4536]

The first time I grew cucumbers we got the beetles, they decimated all the plants. I did some research and the next time I planted radishes all around the base of the cucumber mounds like little soldiers shoulder to shoulder guarding the plants. Worked like a charm. I was so pleased, not one beetle! This year so far so good. Fingers crossed. Love the tip about picking the cukes at night, thanks Luke!

[@nathanpotter8569]

Thanks for the tip!..... somewhere I have a pack of seeds..

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

I heard that amaranth is also a good intercropping option for preventing cucumber pests. I have the red amaranth variety planted in between my eureka cucumbers, so I'll have to see how that goes.

[@harvestenthusiast4519]

Hey Luke this is unrelated but totally novel I was researching vanilla bean plants and how to grow them and I found you on KZbin as a younger Luke! From 8yrs. Ago

[@COVID-19_Crab]

That and insect predators

[@willowssonghomestead1239]

I like the radish thing. All good stuff for my salad. 😊

[@Lochness19]

1. Pick at night - picking cucumbers releases cucurbitacins (a chemical that gives cucumbers their distinctive scent) that attract cucumber beetles, but that's not a problem at night because the beetles are sleeping then. 2. Grow resistant varieties that produce fewer cucurbitacins. Armenian yardlong and lemon cucumbers are better, pickling cucumbers are worse, although it's not as bad if you pick them young since the mature fruit emit more cucurbitacins. 3. Grow vertically. Hatched beetles emerging from the ground are more likely to find your cucumbers and feed on it if it's on the ground than up on a trellis. 4. Don't use traps, because they attract beetles into the traps, but a lot of them just get attracted to your vegetable garden from all over your neighbourhood instead. 5. Reduce stress, stressed plants release more cucurbitacins. Water and avoid pesticides (which kill pests but also stress plants). bonus: mix in strongly scented plants

[@sn232]

Thank you!

[@carolschedler3832]

This should be top comment

[@joybrown8644]

Thank you. I was having trouble following and then remembering what was said. That was fast.

[@Pinkpumpkingardener]

❤❤

[@Ninny2409]

Out here doing the Lord's work ❤

[@muddeprived]

Doesn't really matter if you grow them on a trellis or on the ground, the beetles will get to them regardless. I grow all my cukes up to 8 feet and they are swarmed with the beetles. I lost all my trellised cucumbers this year really early. Last year I grew them during the second half of the season and they fruited till frost. I think the key is to wait till mid season if you want to avoid trying traps and lures and sprays.

[@myurbangarden7695]

My melons too

[@lindag4484]

Wow Luke! Chemistry class today! I'm growing cute salt and pepper cukes this year. I have to take a moment to say: I absolutely love, love, love your positivity. Sooo tired of the doomsday-fear-mongering KZbin channels. I sincerely thank you for your upbeat, informative, videos. They are helpful, not hurtful. Cheers to you! Wish I could 'beam' myself to your grand opening. I'm too far away (NH)

[@HomewardBound961]

I was just looking up neem oil for cucumber beetles when I got this notification. Actually chuckled at the timing. Thanks so much Luke!

[@nowayout8639]

My battle with cucumber beetle against my squash was a losing battle until I discovered a secret tool that was very effective. I used a mini vacuum with a hose. I used foil tape to reduce the opening and then shoved the hose through. I noticed my hose was too large to go to the bottom of the flower so I put a smaller hose at the end so it can reach down. All the cucumber beetles seem to hide in the flowers. This makes finding them easy. I can catch 10-20 cucumber beetles each time. After I empty the filter in the toilet by shaking them out and flushed them down. This is my vacuum: Einhell 2347124 Cordless Handheld Vacuum.

[@CurlyQsgarden]

I am applying beneficial nematodes this year that targets these buggers… I’ve used them to help with Japanese beetles and had tremendous success so I’m hoping the same holds true with these. I applied some last week and will do an application in the Fall and next Spring. Get ‘em before they hatch!

[@kburkes4245]

Good tips. I've had a really bad time with cucumber beetles every year, so this year I covered them with insect net and used a self-pollinating variety. So far, so good.

[@YevgeniyShcherbakov]

Which varieties?

[@ianoliverbailey6545]

Amazing how much useful and interesting information you can pack into a 10-minute video on... cucumbers! I didn't even know there was such a thing as a cucumber beetle. My cucumbers seem to have avoided them without my help so far, but it's really helpful to know more about them. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

Thanks Luke! No smackdown here! I'm just impressed you only stumbled over that word once! 😂 I'm very much appreciating these tips! This is my first time planting cucumbers. It just so happened that I planted basil about 1 1/2 ft. away from them. Yay! Blessings! 💜

[@eayers1178]

I love watching your videos because you disperse so much scientific information along with good gardening practices.

[@GwenArlene8181]

I wonder if sprinkling diatomaceous earth onto the ground under each plant would help deter the new bugs emerging from the ground?

[@ermspa9373]

Knowing the life cycle of that pest is important. They also like any kind of squash. But here’s the important part. The female will lay its eggs at the roots. I know you said not to use insecticide, chemical or organic but you also said not to spray the leaves. And i agree 100% on that but spray the roots and the ground around the roots. I have been doing this for a few years. And i start early when the seedling is about 6”tall I still see a few in my zucchini but none in the cucumbers. So far this season I have sprayed twice and when i see 4 or five i will spray again. Only the roots and ground around the roots no leaves. Stop there life cycle and you stop the pesky little beetle it will also stop the vine bore. But you have start early.

[@jmo18]

Such an odd year. I've never had cucumber beetles before this year. I've done everything you said in this video and nothing is working. Every morning and throughout the day I take a bucket of soapy water and knock the ones I can find into the bucket. Tonight I sprayed with a soapy mix with neem and peppermint oil. Crossing my fingers cuz not only do these little buggers like cucumber, the also love the squash blossoms. 😖

[@j.b.6855]

I have had good luck with the neem/peppermint castile soap spray this year after three year of decimated cucumbers. I spray every two weeks as it breaks down and rain washes it off.

[@jmo18]

@@j.b.6855 good to know!

[@glenndavie5430]

Thanks Luke, well done!💚 The cucumber beetle has been my bigest nemesis in the garden. Thank you for providing ideas on how to minimize the spread of the beetles within the garden!!

[@pharrisph7]

FYI - I used Japanese beetle traps in my yard to protect my garden because the HEAVILY pesticide sprayed, 100+ acre farms surrounding us were SWARMING with them. My little organic garden didn't stand a chance. At the height of beetle season I caught between 6,000 and 9,000 Japanese beetles per day per trap - and I had 6 traps set out. It was crazy - they were just lying on the other beetles on top of the hourglass-shaped traps, and dying. My garden was doomed that year anyway, but putting out the traps dramatically reduced the number of beetles in the entire community for several years, which meant my tiny garden did much better.

[@katie7748]

I've tried those a couple times...did everything right...attracted so many that my neighbor's yards got decimated, too. Learned my lesson. Never again.

[@FloraM44]

Thank you!! Saving this to watch tomorrow. I've had to plant FOUR TIMES this year due to these pests. Even though I knew they were bad last year. I tried a bunch of things this year and still failed on nearly all of them - insect netting being the only success, and even then I think I've only harvested 2 or 3 pickling cucumbers this whole year! I've had to plant my watermelons 4 times and don't even know if I'll get any this year 😭😭 At least with the zucchini and cucumbers I planted 4 times they still stand a chance at producing *something* but yeah it's been brutal. Literally had nightmares about them!!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

easier to buy at markets than grow

[@FloraM44]

@@GuitarsAndSynths with pests like the cucumber beetles that's true! I got kaolin clay this year that I'm going to try.. 🤞🤞

[@gennnygrl7374]

I'm so happy this video happened I've been fighting these beetles for 3 years now! I intercropped nasturtium plants this year which also seemed to help

[@gailosmond-jewers75]

Love your videos and thank you for all the wonderful information ! Harvesting cucumbers at night is a no go for me. I have to many bears and other wildlife around to be able to do that safely lol. I am out early most morning before the sun comes up to water and see a fair amount of wildlife. I prefer being able to see them and moving around my gardens carefully.

[@madammazon2942]

Hey Luke, brand new gardener here and I have been thinking about beneficial insects and wondered if you could make a visual guide. More specifically what the different stages of the good critters look like. I've definitely found egg clutches or random larvae on different plants and I want to squish them if they're bad but Only if bad. I planted several plants to draw in beneficial and certainly don't want to undo all my efforts! Thanks :)

[@GreeneGene33]

Luke you are so informative and you get right to the good info, Thanks for your time and sharing your knowledge..!

[@smartapopyk]

Wow, you are awesome 👌. I am fighting these pests for years, your tips are priceless thank you ❤.

[@charmainemrtnz]

I’m in Idaho so won’t make it to the opening but I did get my order today so thank you! Congratulations on the baby too!

[@ajmentel2453]

You're always coming out with videos just as I need them. Thank you!

[@j.b.6855]

After 3 years of cucumber beetles decimating my cucumber plants I have had enough. This year I am spraying them with a neem oil and peppermint castile soap spray every two weeks at dusk. I do it then to protect the pollinators from being sprayed. So far the plants are doing great. As a test I planted one cucumber plant on the other end of the garden and didint spray it. Its almost dead.

[@donnacason1607]

I also use peppermint castile soap...but you hae to be careful of making it too strong as it browns the growth points...but it does work.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

@@donnacason1607 I need to try that combo

[@jonnettemaslowski258]

First time watching. Finally, you gave a horticultural explanation of how these frustrating insects are attracted. The last two years I had to pull all my cucumber plants out by the end of July. 😠😥 I will look for the seed recommendations you gave and try more companion planting. I might try beneficial nematodes as one commenter used. Thanks!!

[@WhatWeDoChannel]

I’m glad I watched this, I was contemplating ordering cucumber beetle traps! If I do see the little buggers during the season I might put up some yellow sticky traps but without any attractant. Thanks for the informative video!

[@jennydfrog8007]

Love this!! Cucumber beetles are the 1 pest that I get pretty bad, it’s the stripped cucumber beetle that I get. The stripped cucumber beetle loves my tomatillos and ground cherries, it’s no where near my cucamelons.

[@ingridlee2613]

I appreciate the tips you gave. This is my first year with a raised bed and I read about planting herbs to keep the bad bugs away so I decided to plan these on the ground first before planting my cucumber.

[@kariannecrysler640]

Congrats on the grand opening and many thanks for the cucumber tips😁

[@curveappeal8180]

The last 7 seconds of this video were the best 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ittsacrazyworld]

Wow, Luke. You are a wealth of information. Was it learned on your own or was your family heavy into gardening/farming? School?

[@callikohl5698]

I water early in the morning, around 5:30am. My cucumbers look good. I am growing vertically for the first time. I am loving it.

[@debbiemusgrove676]

Good information is always. Always learn something new from you.

[@giojibear1114]

Great info! Please remember to post links to the videos on intercropping you mentioned 😉

[@TwoEnglishAcres]

Very timely! I'm finding those beetles in all of my squash blooms too

[@groussac]

0:35 'Deer don't really care that much about them.' Early on in the season, a deer was nibbling off the top leaves of my cucumbers. I guess if a deer is hungry enough, it will eat anything (like cukes and cosmos in my garden). Actually, the deer ended up helping me out. She ate down the primary shoot which had male flowers, so I let the suckers grow on the remaining stem. Turns out, they produced runners that were all female flowers. I consider it a win-win for me and the deer.

[@Annixandra]

love seeing your vids in my feed

[@PackRatManiac]

I don't have cucumber beetles right now. Mine are dropping blossoms because it's so hot. I think I'll have to replant them at the end of August when it starts to cool off. It's way too hot in Texas right now.

[@sylviaferrara5296]

Oh my you just taught me so much...wow...Thank you......your awesome

[@naturalflow157]

This is absolutely amazing. Your great tips for gardening and overall how much value you give us by sharing your journey and experience is just priceless. I started my own very tiny garden this summer and your tips have been nothing but a life changer. Thank you again and send much love and happy gardening.

[@drewsenthused6079]

Got my cucumber seeds ordered to try out in a month or so!

[@jmajick4415]

I have noticed that the cucumber beets are all over my pickling variety and barely found any on the slicing variety. The slicing variety is also in between 2 tomato plants

[@ajmnuisanceanimalcontrolll3895]

I try to explain to my customers to not use bait and alot of them think that I don't know what I'm doing. I've even had people bait my traps or move them after I leave. I'm glad that you pointed out that the beetle traps will attract the beetles and explained it well. To bad that some people are just going to keep using them anyway 😁😂

[@joybrown8644]

That would be redirecting them from my garden. 🤣 (Is that mean? I don’t mean to be.)

[@kmoon2965]

Love this vid. Had no idea. Have been container gardening the last 3 yrs ans learn something new every day. This is my second yr wirh cucumbers and so far tons of flowers gorow/die, but only one cucumber :( . Btw, Loved the end of video 🤣

[@kbjerke]

Wow, Luke, that was an eye opening video!! Thanks! I have a small container of cucumbers just starting to show signs of fruiting, and can't wait for my first cucumber sandwich!! Stay cool in this heat wave!!

[@wendyburston3132]

Nice ending! Shared. Actually found one in the ground.I was surprised because thought I didn't have any even though my beans are being eaten right after they flower. Had lots of Japanese beetles. Caught a lot of them. So how do I trap them? I never see them at work!

[@marthahershey5552]

Thanks for the video! I didn’t know about harvesting early evening to fake out those nasty little beetles! Tip #5 (or was it #4?) was about pesticide use in hot hot weather. What about pure cold pressed Neem oil?

[@gumcat15]

Interesting about the color yellow. 🤔 I have been growing the same plants for near 2 decades now. I never had an issue with cucumber beetles before 2022,and i don't grow food as i rent,so my plants are multi year old and all in planters,unless i know we are staying for 2 yrs or more: dirt is very poor and not cost effective to buy soil for rental property. That said,in 2022 i grew datura and thus had cucumber beetles for the first time along w some squash seeds that sprouted from old squash put out for squirrels. I thought that this year i wouldn't have an issue but i should've done research as to the eggs in the soil. I use neem oil for pests. Going to try the neem oil in the water and see if it works. This year only 1 datura came up so far but there are other plants they attack too: catnip,yellow coneflower, various weeds.

[@TheModernCanary]

Man, I learned so much in this video!! When to harvest, the cucurbitacin factors... THANKS!

[@wendyfrye7953]

wow great video... may I suggest a decaf coffee? you are talking so fast being as excited as you are today. Congrats on your upcoming family addition!

[@julliefillippi8155]

Good Luck on your grand opening.

[@evelyncollins8069]

Thanks for the video. I learned a lot about the cucurbataicin thing. I'm sharing this one to fb. Best regards from beautiful Wisconsin.

[@bwolf0003]

Beneficial nematodes applied to the soil in the fall and again in the spring really helped this year. No cucumber beetles this year!!

[@donnacason1607]

I've done this but it also coincided with a reduction in bees so I am not totally sure the beneficial part is true or just coincidence.

[@bwolf0003]

@@donnacason1607 interesting. They are microscopic worms watered into the soil, so not sure how that impacts bees. I’ll have to read up on it. I’ve had more bees in my garden than ever before. Brought in by several different pollinator plants intercropped with my veg. I will do further research.

[@brokerken]

Wish I could visit the store. It's quite the drive from NY

[@MIgardener]

come make a trip out of it! :)

[@ngrisel95]

Hey Luke. Another great video! I’m in Utah but would come to the grand opening if I were a couple time zones closer. Best of luck in the store. I’ll check it out online. Thanks for putting together these informative and timely videos. I always learn so much.

[@BigWillie-zy7po]

Would peppermint plants in their own pots assist in masking the scent?

[@rmfyiffa]

Great video! Sending prayers and blessings for a fun-filled and safe grand opening! I'll be there in spirit... :)

[@rochellewilson4679]

Hi! I'm growing cukes for the first time, and I haven't found any beetles, but ants & roaches are out there at night. What are your thoughts about Neem as a deterrent? I lived in Ludington, MI during Jr HS & HS :) I have family in Berrien Springs; they have a large fruit farm! Thanks, and love your videos!

[@joybrown8644]

Curious about neem as well.

[@sandram5664]

How timely! Yesterday my cantaloupe plants were perfect and today are covered in striped cucumber beetles.

[@thelocalroot1724]

Your videos are always perfectly timed! 🥳🥳

[@dianepuskas6362]

This is my second season growing pickling cucumbers. The dang beetles found them and because of our strange spring and hot-dry summer, they didn't stand a chance. Will try another round using your tips. FYI, I also saw a tip somewhere else that made a trap out of a yellow plastic cup and petroleum jelly. Thanks

[@chucktwnkid]

It's rained everyday for the last month here in SC, my garden is melting and I can't control the powdery mildew because of it. I have to replant some things. Then I have borers in my cucumbers and squash lol, I'll get it tho

[@Legiitpwn]

Hahaha I just planted cucumbers and got beetles and haven’t been able to find anything yet. Found your channel yesterday lol

[@fredrickvanolphen3299]

Thanks so much Lukr👍! Great suggestions.. Isn't there a ladybug look alike with two black spots that attacks cucumbers and squash? Also what's the best way to handle mosaic virus in cucumbers?

[@LeeCraftyHomestead]

no more coffee for you, lol

[@TheSnowbirdez]

Can you speak about the harlequin beetle. I was infested with them. Destroyed all my cabbage, rutabagas, kale and broccoli. Thanks for all your teaching

[@decal2154]

Shade cloth to reduce heat stress

[@GypsySoulSister]

When I find wagon wheel bugs or daddy long legs on my porch, I take them to my cucumber and squash. They like cucumber beetles and squash bugs 🤠

[@nathanielp2119]

Get outnthere late morning and smush by sight keep an eye underneath the leaf surface

[@dwwcoder5048]

Wow! And I just moved a cucumber trap in the vicinity of them and sprayed an organic fertilizer on my plants after the rainfall today😖😩.

[@MrsPlantinTexas]

This was so good. Excellent explanation. 🌿❤️

[@NicoleWilliams-pk9jr]

I'm gardening for the first time and one of my cucumber plants are infested with these little b*stards. The one next to it has no damage. And my 3rd plant is on the porch in front of the house, nothing there yet. I just started using Neem because I don't have any other option. Right now I haven't seen any in 48 hours or so.

[@willaustin5751]

Hi Luke do you still have your seed store and can people visit the farm? I subscribed to your channel and a big Thank You for making your videos!!

[@suebar5177]

Great tips Luke! Thanks 😊

[@jamiegoveia7473]

First time gardener here--love your videos! Question: I have cucumber beetles on my young summer squash. I know you recommend against spraying insecticides because they cause stress. But what about dusting with something like Sevin Dust? Is that also stressful? Thanks!

[@pepperspot805]

I wonder if diatomaceous earth would be better

[@smartapopyk]

What about mulch? Is there are mulch these bugs hate?

[@donnacason1607]

What about soapy water in yellow cups? Going to try that but wondering if I will get beneficials as well.

[@jenniferodegard526]

what to do when I already have cucumber beetles? I have beautiful trellised flowering vines, but the beetles found them. Not much damage yet. Was gonna gets traps but maybe I wont. I'll trim around the bottom of the vines, but I suspect it's too late.

[@joeyhardin1288]

Thanks Luke, great info! God Bless and stay safe. EDIT: Not an emoji showing me falling out of my recliner, laughing at "Shots saying Cucurbitacin" EDIT 2: Rewatched, said Cucurbitacin 16 times! Fun video

[@richardroadcap7957]

In the south our big problem is pickleworms...tough to control

[@ryewilliams1232]

Hey Luke, how are your wildflower seeds going that you threw out of a helicopter?

[@Lochness19]

Is that your second succession of cucumbers? Mine have already reached the top of my 8ft trellis here in Ontario.

[@woogie6785]

Hey! I just wanted to share an experience. Currently 10:50pm July 5th. I went out to check my garden and cucumber beetles are all over my plants. I’ve been noticing flowers dying but seeing no pests for days. I’ve only seen 1 cucumber beetle during the day and that was weeks ago. Is this an anomaly? First time gardening so I’d love anyone’s input!

[@zc3853]

Do you recommend diatomaceous earth to be sprinkle on any plants or on the grounds?

[@wendyshipley6799]

you need to be very careful with D.E. because it can also kill the bees that we so desperately need as well

[@cetriyasArtnComicsChannel]

So down here in Florida I found my issue to be that the Cucumbers would unusually Gorge and yellowed and darken and then these little white slugs come out of them because they've punctured into them and eating them from the inside. Also notice a bunch of what looks like spider webbing at the end of the cucumber? Anyone have any ideas about this?

[@esamsuboh]

I think you got these cucs from some where else 😉 . I till love your vids .

[@Kris7717]

That last take. 😂

[@tA_aT287]

Brilliant, thank you for the info!!

[@MyClarissa21]

Fantastic video . Excellent! Thank ypu

[@Joseph_Dredd]

"Inter Cropping" is "Companion planting" right?

[@sn232]

It is planting a different plant beside your original plant. For example plant herbs beside your cucumbers, you can look at companion planting and choose from a list of what to use as your intercrop side plant. Something like onions or radish might help, or a strong smelling herb.

[@Joseph_Dredd]

@@sn232 Ah thanks for letting me know.

[@karensheart]

We have beetles that are eating our grape leaves. We have been using been oil as a repellent. However, this is t helping with the beetles. Do you have any suggestions?? Thank you!! Xo

[@sweetcarolinepapapa9350]

About 2 weeks ago, I had nothing to pick up, no cucumbers yet, so this wouldn't work for me. What works for me, get a dandruff shampoo, with coal tar, cheapest Walmart brand. It's brown color and it stinks. Fill out regular size spray bottle (like from kitchen spray)with water, add about 2 tbl spoons of shampoo, 1 tbl spoon of salt and mix it well. Spray back or bottom side of each leaf every evening or until the beetle season is over.

[@jdickinson3485]

Awesome video

[@angelaraum1545]

What about Beit Alpha. I didn't hear you say anything about that type?

[@stonehillfarm866]

He mentioned them at 4:05 in the video but he pronounced it a little differently. He said "bay-it alpha". Like Beit had two syllables.

[@chrisallmond9372]

how about if I put the cucumber beetle traps outside of the garden to kill what's around and draw them out of the garden?

[@RemsFamily]

I wish I knew about #5 before lol Thank you Luke =)

[@somai_1]

What causes weird scarring on cucumbers, is it the cucumber beetles?

[@ttaite84]

Hello Luke! I would love to come to the grand opening. I am located in Detroit, not too far away. Would you please provide details?

[@MIgardener]

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