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To: FRiends

696 posted on 08/24/2025 5:42:01 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; All
Diana;

Someone was asking about injecting B.T. into your squash vines to control squash borers.

Here is a picture of these moths, the damage from the borer, and the borer.

University of MN (Link below) mentions that foliar sprays of Bt Bacillus thuringiensis are not effective against squash vine borers once they are in the vine. It is however, still possible to inject Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in squash vine stems in order to control borers. (As some here have done.) It is also possible to do this with live parasitic nematodes, or to buy parasitic nematodes to spray on your garden soil to control this and other garden pests.

See: Garden Joe Squash Vine Borer Prevention & Control

Some tips for people trying this method. If you are attempting to inject Bt into a vine you will probably have problems getting your needle into the vine and with the needle becoming clogged with squash vine. (I had this problem and had to use a wire from a Wire brush to unclog it.)

Before injecting I wipe things down with alcohol to not spread bacterial infections. I use a portable drill with the smallest drill bit available to pre drill the hole, working the bit back and forth a bit. Be careful to not go all the way through both sides of the vine! I then use a toothpick to clear the hole, then inject 1cc of the Bt into the vine stem. Finally, I just return the toothpick to the hole to plug it and mark the entry point. I did this last year and just did this yesterday. (Saw these red moths flying around the vines.)

I had 3 volunteer pumpkin vines from a Halloween pumpkin (Rouge de Vif?) I lost one. I do not know what I will get but here is a picture of one of the 2 pumpkins that have grown on the remaining 2 vines.

There is more information at these links. The first link that shows a picture of the eggs and locations for both the borer and for Squash Nymphs.

Squash Vine Borer Managment U. Mich.

University of MN Squash vine borers

697 posted on 08/24/2025 2:16:10 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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