Comments on: Zucchini Plants Dying from Squash Vine Borer

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 29 May 2010 02:27:39 +0000

Not sure if anyone is still reading this article, but I just found it! Anyway, I live in Texas and have to deal with these darned things twice during the growing season. Despite all my efforts to be organic, they have totally devastated every squash variety I’ve ever planted in my garden for the past five years. Sevin will be my choice tomorrow.

I wanted to point out to folks that you can often salvage your plants by burying them, just so long as you’ve made sure to get rid of the larvae. About three inches of soil over top of the stems was all I did, plus watering on a normal basis, and within about two weeks I had plants popping out of the ground again. Unfortunately in my case, the second round of borers got them too… Folks in cooler climates could probably do this and be okay for the remainder of the season.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:46:04 +0000

Good information. I have tried nematodes, but did not seem to make a difference. Once again, my plants have had it. Very discouraging. Will try harder with sevin next season.

By: Administrator

Administrator — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:41:56 +0000

These are also a good reason why you could plant succession crops of zuchinni.

Let the first planted ones be the bait, wait for the borers to be inside, then burn the plants, thus breaking the life cycle. For the rest of the summer then hopefully the later planted ones will be fine.

By: Nicole Nemec

Nicole Nemec — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:56:33 +0000

Thanks for the advice – off to do some “surgery” – ick!

By: Jody

Jody — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:37:30 +0000

My plant looks similar…what type of insecticide would you recommend?

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:21:39 +0000

I’m sorry they got your zucchini Ugly little (big) things too. Yuck!

By: Shibaguyz

Shibaguyz — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:27:06 +0000

Thanks for the information. We’re off to check our zucchini now! YIKES!!