Cucumber worms, the larvae of the cucumber beetle, are yellowish-white in color with a brown head and rear, and three pairs of legs. Cucumber worms can grow up to 3/4 inches long. They attack cucumber plants by eating the roots and burrowing in young plant stems, which causes the plant to wilt and die. Prevent cucumber worms and beetles from ruining your cucumber crop through barrier control methods, among others.
Remove all debris around cucumber plants in the fall. Debris provides overwintering sites for cucumber beetles. Though it is especially necessary to remove debris in the fall to prevent cucumber worm infestations in the spring, it is generally a good idea to keep the area free from debris all year round. After you remove all debris, till the soil around the cucumber plants to kill cucumber beetle eggs and larvae.
Protect cucumber plants susceptible to cucumber worms before they bloom by using a garden fleece, also called a floating row cover, to protect individual plants. Garden fleeces are made of lightweight fabric that allows the sun, rain and air to reach plants while protecting them from cucumber beetles and other pests. Remove garden fleeces when the plants start blooming so beneficial insects can pollinate them.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of each cucumber plant as well as on the plants themselves. Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized, microscopic remains of diatoms, or single-celled algae plants. This natural insecticide is harmless to pets but will cut into the shells of insects or cuts them from the inside out if they eat it.
Check cucumber plants regularly for cucumber beetles and larvae. Remove small infestations manually by squashing the larvae and beetles to death. Wear gloves, if needed. You can also prune individual infested leaves and discard them.
Use an organic insecticide on infested plants, such as spinosad, which will not harm beneficial insects. You can also use neem oil soap. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for best results. More than one application may be required, depending on the insecticide's effectiveness and how severe the infestation is.
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Things You Will Need
- Garden gloves
- Hoe or shovel
- Garden fleece
- Diatomaceous earth
- Gardening shears or scissors
- Organic insecticide
- Trap beetles inside old blossoms if the plant is in the blooming stage as another method of control. Beetles will gather inside old blossoms when the blossoms begin to collapse on themselves. Place infested old blossoms in a container of soapy water to kill the larvae.
- Wear gloves and protective clothing when using an insecticide.
- University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Top Vegetable Pests - Cucumber Beetles: Spotted or Striped
- Yardener: Solution for Cucumber Beetles
- North Dakota State University: Diseases, Insects and Other Problems
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Insect Management for Cucurbits (Cucumber, Squash, Cantaloupe, and Watermelon)
- Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images