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Anna Hess wrote:Tim ...
I know it's a complicated answer, but I think it's a complicated problem with no single right answer. Each bug has its own Achilles heel.
Alex Ojeda wrote:
Tim krabec wrote:First of all, welcome to the forums (from the guy who just registered to post this)
Secondly how do you have any tips on limiting bug damage?
I'm trying to minimize pesticides, and have had a major problem with vineborers/stinkbugs. What trap crops/more natural pesticides have a staying effect. I've tried neem oil, but that does not seem to work on these critters.
Tim, I live in North Florida and I just can't grow most cucurbits. Everything else is fine. I have a polyculture established and the balance of insects is perfect. Now, I leave a lot of the weeds and tend them like herbs, so I get better insect attraction than most people trying to use cultivars to do the same thing. In my book, NEVER use ANY pesticide. If YOU are killing an insect, you are on the wrong path. If you let your coveted insects do that job, then you will succeed!
So, for Melons, I grow an indigenous pumpkin called Seminole Pumpkin.
For squash, I grow loofah/luffa since when they are small, they are very edible. They taste like a cucumber/zucchini.
The thing for both of these plants is that NOTHING TOUCHES THEM! They are Über Soldats in the garden! They throw produce at you the whole season and when they are done, you have a load of green material for mulching back in.
I hope this helps on some level.