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Pests like cucumber beetle can quickly put down weeks of hard study and deflower your harvesting . Not only do they snack on the leaves and fruit of certain plants , but they carry bacterium that can contribute to wilt .
There are many options for controlling cucumber vine beetles , from traps and covers to pesticides . But one of the most natural and beneficial fixes isplanting crop that repelcucumber mallet from your garden . Options includedecorative flower , edible vegetables , and herbs . Learn more about what six plant life are safe for observe cucumber beetles away from your garden so that you could relax !
What Exactly Are Cucumber Beetles?
There are two variety ofcucumber beetles : Acalymma vittatum(striped cucumber mallet ) andDiabrotica undecimpunctata howardi(spotted cucumber beetles ) . Both are yellow-bellied , but as their name suggest , the stripy variety has three stripes down its back , and the fleck has 12 small spot across its wings .
Striped beetles can overwinter in leafage litter and begin to emerge from recent May to early June . They will corrode the blossoms of bloom plants before laying eggs in the soil at the fundament of host plants . After the eggs hachure and the larvae become pupa , these young beetles exhaust foliage ( ordinarily in the recent summertime ) .
spotty beetle do n’t live through harsh winters but migrate in the south in late June or early July . They lie their egg on non - cucurbit industrial plant , and it takes about 40 to 60 day for these eggs to mature into adults .
Both varieties of cucumber beetle love to snack on cucurbit plants like gourd , Cucumis sativus , autumn pumpkin , and melons . These pests are specially destructive because they bung on all function of the plant throughout their life-time . Larvae use up the roots , while adults opt the leafage , vines , and fruit . Additionally , they carry bacterium that can lead to wilt ormosaic computer virus .
But all hope is not lose ! There are several familiar plants that gardeners can engraft near their cucurbits to dissuade Cucumis sativus mallet .
6 Plants That Repel Cucumber Beetles
Discover six works to incorporate into your garden to guard off cucumber mallet !
Nasturtiums
Nasturtium ( Tropaeolum ) is an effective companion plant for cucurbit . These warm - weather condition yearbook mature five - petaled flowers in reds , oranges , yellows , and creams . They have a spicy fragrance and blush from May to September .
Nasturtiumsare vining plants and grow well up a trellis , or sprawl , among other flora . These flowers attract beneficial insects like aphids and ladybug , which deplete beetle . This spreading of vine confuses cucumber beetle and discourages them from feeding on cucurbits . To efficaciously dissuade cucumber beetles , nasturtiums should be planted between vining gourds .
Marigold
Another excellentcompanion plantis marigolds ( Tagetes spp).Specifically for louse deterrents , the French marigold ( Tagetes patul)and African marigold ( Tagetes erecta)are best . Marigolds generally produce a bright yellow bloom , although the French and African smorgasbord come in various colors , include cherry , white , and bicolor .
marigold are an in effect repellant for cuke beetles because of their scent and because they attract other insects , like predatory wasps , that feed on grownup cucumber mallet .
Radish
Gardeners looking to add other edible plants can turn to radishes . Radishes are yearly root vegetable that grow between mid - April and the first of May and August for a summertime crop .
Since daikon are root vegetables where the medulla grows in the terra firma , they effectively moderate grunge moisture . Dryer soil helps to keep dirt ball like cucumber beetle at bay . The rich and spicy smack and aroma of radishes also help deter beetles from cucurbits .
Radishes grow well alongside cucumber vine and nasturtiums , arrive at them the double-dyed trifecta for deter cucumber beetles .
Common Tansy
The cultivarTanacetum vulgare‘Common scented fern ’ is another bloom that make well at deterring cuke beetle . The oil colour produced by tansy bear thujone , a phytochemical component that piddle this an fantabulous plant for keeping Cucumis sativus beetles off . Think of it as a natural pesticide .
However , if gardeners get it on their cutis , thujone can make an allergic reaction . In larger quantities , it can have more serious side effect . Because of this , gardener working with Tanacetum vulgare should wear gloves and long - sleeved shirts when working with the plant life .
But scented fern has more to offer than toxins — it can also help raise potassium levels in the uprise medium of your garden , providing more nutrient to other flora . Finally , tansy is n’t just a deterrent for cucumber beetle ; it also keeps Colorado spud beetle , mosquitos , and fleas away .
Tansy is an invading specie in some orbit . It should not be planted in Colorado , Minnesota , Montana , Wyoming , or part of Washington State , as it has been prohibited .
Onions
Because of their biting scent and taste , Allium cepa ( Allium cepa ) keep cucumber beetles off your gourds . The strong odour of the onions may even cover the spirit of gourds , thus masking them all told from thirsty beetle .
Additionally , onions contain the chemical allyl propyl disulfide . You know it as the matter that makes your center water when you are chopping onion for a repast , but it also bother insects enough to keep them away from your garden .
Plant onion plant bulb in former bound around your cucurbit to reduce the luck of cucumber beetles taking over .
Dill
Dill is another redolent plant that can discourage cucumber beetle . It shape substantially to keep cuke beetles away because of what it attracts . worm like bee and parasitic WASP ( as well as some less chilling bugs , like butterflies ) will target pestilence . plant life dill alongside your cucurbits to keep the beetle off .
Sow dill seeds instantly in the ground just before your last frost . As dill grows and produces its own seed , these can be harvest and reseeded every two workweek through early summertime to extend your dill weed harvest .
Catnip
Your Arabian tea may go idle for a plaything stuffed with catnip , but it can spell disaster for cucumber beetles . lie with scientifically asNepeta cataria , this herbaceous perennial blooms from May to September and attracts butterfly stroke with its aroma . It is in the same family as mint .
Catnip contains the chemical nepetalactone , which has been witness to trigger itching and infliction in insects ( but not human beings or cats ) . This deters a range of pests , from mosquito to cucumber beetles .
Catnip does proliferate , so if you do n’t want it taking over your garden , plant it in pots . These should be continue nearby or between rows of cucurbit .
Onions growing
Kick Out the Cucumber Beetles
After work so heavily to cultivate squash rackets , pumpkins , gourds , or Cucumis sativus , the last affair any nurseryman wants is for insects to make it into a repast . But planning onwards and planting some pungent fellow plant could be the perfect result for keeping your garden free of cucumber vine beetles . Whether you pick out peak like nasturtiums or marigolds , pungent veg like onions or radish plant , or a pot of catmint that can be moved to wherever the want is greatest , your cucurbit will think you .
So what is your preferred associate plant for cucurbits ? scuttlebutt below , and share to keep a biography ( the biography of your cucumbers , that is . )
Onions growing
Green catnip leaves
