My pumpkins and squash are getting stung - any organic solutions?

[sumi]

We have a mystery plant of the pumpkin variety come up by itself in a freshly composted bed a few weeks ago. It grew, not very big, started flowering, fruiting and promptly got attacked by stinging bugs! It's so early in the grow season we didn't expect our pumpkins to be at risk already and I'm getting worried now, because I have quite a few pumpkins, squash and zucchini (courgette/marrow) growing and I'm hoping for a good harvest this Summer, not just tiny undeveloped worm filled fruit

I've tried in vain to spot the culprits, so I don't know exactly what I'm fighting here and the other thing is I'd much rather not use poison in the garden at all. Has anyone got a recipe for a more organic bug deterrent? I've used neem in the past and it was very effective. I gave the garden one good spray and I didn't see another bug for 4 months, but I'm not sure I'll be able to find it again. The garden centre we bought it from closed and I've not seen it for sale anywhere else. I will use poison if I have to, but I'd love to hear if there is an alternative.

 

[so lucky]

Are you able to buy Diatomaceous Earth where you live? (called DE) It is the fossilized skeletons of tiny diatoms, and they are sharp edged, which irritate and cut the bug's body. It is totally organic, but can harm beneficial insects, as well, so take care not to apply it to blossoms. It will not be effective after a rain, and must be re-applied often. Be sure to get the DE that is labeled "Food Grade." I use it in my chicken coop, to discourage bugs and dry out poop, keeping odor down. Don't inhale it, as it can irritate your respiratory system.
Some people use soapy water to spray veggies with. And there are several good recipes for home made bug sprays on this forum. You might want to use the "search" feature. Good luck!

 

[sumi]

Thank you! I've never seen DE for sale here (I'm in South Africa) and the first I heard of it was when I joined BYC. I'll do a search and see if anyone stocks it, but I will also search here for the recipes. I tried a search earlier and the only result I got was for something about apples? I think I'll have to try that again!

 

[Smart Red]

DE is supposed to kill the tiny pests. I use it and it seems to work well except for hard-shelled beetle types. There is also a product called "SURROUND" which is a Kaolin (or clay) product that may also help. While you might not find it by its registered name, it should be available somewhere. It is used to lightly cover the plants and fool insects into seeing soil instead of food. This clay is used to make pottery.

 

[sumi]

That sounds interesting! I'll see if I can find that here, along with the DE. I haven't had time to search yet. Some people say a mix of garlic and something else sprayed on the plants repels insects? Anyone know what the "something else" is, it was something from a plant origin if that helps, and if it actually works? Gosh, I cannot think what is was now...

 

[sumi]

Well what do you know, I found a DE supplier! A bit pricey though... What on earth is "human grade DE"? LOL

 

[Smart Red]

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) comes in several types depending upon the projected use. There is a DE additive for swimming pool filtration systems. . . Not edible!
I don't remember all the uses and types -- at least three, I think.

There is one type of DE that is considered 'food grade' and is mixed with some foodstuffs to kill insects, especially eggs and larva that may get into it. You don't see it or know that it is there, but. . . . . I've heard you can get rid of worms in your intestinal system at the same time.

Edited to correct spelling error.

 

[so lucky]

Sumi, that "something else" may have been cayenne pepper, or some other hot pepper. A squirt of dish soap is always suggested to use in with the garlic, pepper and whatever. The soap acts as a sticking agent, to stay on the leaves better. Fancy name is "surfactant"

 

[sumi]

Sorry I haven't updated, not that I have anything to update LOL Ended up spraying my little well, pumpkin for now, until I figure out what it is, with poison. It's all I can do right now. It's there and so are the bugs, so until I find an alternative (and order the product) that's it.

I found to my mild dismay that the kids have discovered gardening. They've raided my seed stash and are sowing left left right and centre. I have pumpkins in my bean patch, sunflowers (my oh so special red sunflower seeds that I brought back from Ireland) in the tomato patch, along with quite a few tomato seedlings that I've been battling to keep alive after they transferred them from do-I-want-to-know-where into the garden on the hottest day of the year so far. It's mild chaos out there and I don't know where to water anymore! I discovered a little stray bean seedling, just this morning. Probably stuck it's head out to ask why no-one's been watering it. And I'm running up and down with a watering can to keep everything wet and alive, no hosepipes here, heck we don't even have an outside tap! I really don't need more watering right now.

 

[canesisters]

Oh my! What an adventure you're going to have once things really get going in your garden. It'll be a seek and find every day. Maybe you could set up something to catch and hold water near the garden???? Like the keyhole garden's center 'well'???