Although most gardeners harvest their vegetables several weeks in advance, the end of the growing season can be a cause for concern as pest populations increase to damaging levels.
Here are some common pests you can expect to encounter in your garden each year.
It may be too late to get rid of some of these pests this year, but you should keep an eye out for their symptoms and the damage they cause as you plan for next year's garden.
Pumpkin vine borer
The squash vine borer may have already stunted the growth and killed your squash plants this season. The squash vine borer is the colorful orange-and-black caterpillar caterpillar of the squash bird.
Female moths lay eggs in the soil or stems of pumpkins, gourds, cucumbers and melons. The eggs hatch into larvae that bore into the stems and feed there for up to six weeks, hollowing out the vines and turning the plants yellow.
The plant will usually rot and die beyond the point of attack, and the gardener may lose some or all of his crop. Holes in the plant's stem and accompanying exudates indicate the presence of squash vine grubs.
Control of pumpkin vine-boring pests is difficult and usually begins with weekly sprays of pyrethrin, sevin, or permethrin at the base of the stems shortly after the plants are established. Spraying insecticides on vegetable plants should be done in the late afternoon or early evening to avoid harming bees.
If the plant is already infected, you can get rid of it by cutting the stem lengthwise and removing the pests, the plant may recover if you cover the stem with moist soil and keep it moist.
Next year, you might try planting your pumpkins in small batches so that all your plants aren't attacked at once. You can use polyester row covers to cover the plants to protect them from egg-laying moths, but you'll have to remove the covers once flowering begins so the plants can be pollinated.
Flea Beetles
Flea beetles are small jumping beetles that are commonly found on eggplant, but may also feed on watermelon, pumpkin, peas, corn, beans, and potatoes.
Small plants are more susceptible to damage than mature, vigorously growing plants.
Adult flea beetles are commonly found in gardens in April and May, where they lay eggs on leaves and petioles and bore holes in plants. In severe cases, leaves may dry out and die one by one. Flea beetle infestations can devastate gardens.
Corn-eating flea beetles are of particular concern as they can transmit Stewart's bacterial wilt. Spray the leaves with Sevin or Malathion to protect them from excessive damage.
Removing old crop debris and other surface debris this fall can help reduce the number of flea beetles in your garden next year. Crop rotation can also reduce flea beetle problems.
Corn earworm
Corn earworms are one of the most destructive pests in the United States.
Although this pest is a common feeding insect, millions of dollars have been spent to control its damage to corn, tomatoes, and especially cotton.
In home gardens, corn is a favorite host plant. The larvae of this moth feed on the tops of corn ears and consume the kernels down to the cob. Corn ear moths generally start off feeding on the silk, but when the silk dries, they move down to consume the kernels.
They are a nuisance to gardeners because they produce copious amounts of droppings and waste in the ears. The larvae are light brown or green to almost black in color with dark and light stripes running vertically down their bodies. Adult larvae are 1.5 inches long, and because the larvae are cannibalistic, it is rare to find more than one per ear.
Corn earworms.
One method of control is to pinch the silk passages with clothespins during the early silk stage to prevent the larvae from entering and damaging the ears. You can also try applying a half to three-quarters dropperful of mineral oil to the inside tip of each ear once the silk tips have turned brown.
Mineral oil suffocates the larvae but does not change the taste of the corn.After the silks emerge, you can usually spray with Sevin or Permethrin every 2-3 days until the silks turn brown.
These insects, like others, are common in home gardens every year, and with a little preventative care, you can ensure a bountiful harvest.
P. Andrew Rideout is a representative of the UK Horticultural Extension Service and can be contacted at pandrewrideout@uky.edu .
This article originally appeared in the Evansville Courier & Press: How do you get rid of bugs from your yard?
