This is a question I received in response to our blog post about cucumber beetle traps. I realized I hadn’t really explained why I’m so concerned with these and wanted to share the answer in a blog post.
“I find your cucumber beetle cups interesting. I’ve looked a little and did some shopping carts. I haven’t bought anything yet. Do the beetles do enough damage to warrant spending $15-$25 in trap supplies? I haven’t ever had an issue. but I did find some bugs today on my cucs…but they look good (for now). I also found a little of this when I was googling. “They are very hard to hand pick, but it is easier to hand pick them with yellow gloves coated in petroleum jelly.” do you think dish gloves and petroleum jelly would work too?”
– Lori from Oklahoma City
Hey Lori – I’m glad you asked this. I realize now I never really explained why I’m going through all the trouble of building traps to catch these critters. Honestly, I had the same thoughts when I first encountered them as well. It didn’t appear that they did that much damage (like a hornworm or caterpillar) so I just ignored them. What I later came to find out was that the biggest problem with them is that they spread disease. Think of it almost like a tick with humans. It isn’t the bite of the tick that causes a problem, it’s the diseases they carry and the transmission of those diseases during the bite. It works the same way with cucumber beetles and susceptible plants. The yellow glove trick would probably work, but I’ve got plants spread all across the garden and these traps save me a ton of time in hunting them down. I hope this helps!
P.S. Check to see if your local Sam’s Club has the yellow solo cups. That’s where I bought mine and got enough to last me a long, long time.
Dale
More info about cucumber beetles can be found at the links below:
https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/control-cucumber-beetles
http://www.almanac.com/pest/cucumber-beetles
Dale Spoonemore is the visionary co-founder of “From Seed to Spoon,” a groundbreaking platform that has revolutionized the way individuals approach gardening. His journey from a novice gardener to a leading advocate for sustainable living and mental wellness through gardening is a source of inspiration to many. Dale’s personal transformation and dedication to making gardening accessible and enjoyable have propelled “From Seed to Spoon” to become a vital tool for gardeners of all skill levels.
Dale’s venture into gardening began as a personal quest to improve his family’s health and well-being. Faced with the challenges of learning how to garden without prior experience, Dale turned his journey into an opportunity to simplify gardening for others. He leveraged his background in technology to develop the “From Seed to Spoon” app, which guides users through the process of starting their own gardens with ease. The app covers everything from selecting the right plants for your region to tracking your garden’s progress.
Beyond the app, Dale’s contributions to the blog reflect his deep understanding of gardening, his commitment to organic practices, and his belief in the therapeutic benefits of connecting with nature. His posts are rich with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a clear vision for a healthier world through gardening. Dale often shares innovative gardening techniques, ways to incorporate technology into gardening, and tips for growing a wide variety of plants.
Dale’s passion for gardening is matched by his advocacy for mental health. He openly discusses how gardening has been a crucial part of his own mental health journey, offering a powerful testament to the restorative and calming effects of nurturing plants. Through his work, Dale aims to inspire others to discover gardening as a pathway to physical and mental health, sustainability, and a deeper connection with the environment.
As a key voice on the seedtospoon.net blog, Dale Spoonemore continues to educate, inspire, and empower individuals around the globe to start their own gardening adventures. His story is not just about planting seeds in the ground; it’s about planting seeds of change in communities, encouraging a shift towards more sustainable living practices, and fostering a global movement of wellness through gardening.
One thought on “Q&A – What’s the Big Deal with Cucumber Beetles Anyway? Why Are You Trying to Trap Them?”
But what KILLS these things??? Anything?? They are killing my cucumber plants!!