How to Prevent Pests on Pumpkins

Take a few steps to prevent pest and disease on pumpkins.

Pumpkins require considerable time to reach maturity, and during that time, they are prone to infestation from several garden pests. These pests can damage or destroy the entire pumpkin plant. In addition, they spread bacteria and fungus diseases between plants. Use organic methods and prevention to protect this crop from devastation.

Things You'll Need

• Floating row covers
• Pyrethrin-based pesticide
• Sand

Instructions

1. Plant pumpkin seeds as late in the growing season as time allows. Check the USDA guidelines for your region and allow the appropriate number of days for the variety of plant to reach maturity. In areas with short growing seasons, start seeds indoors to extend the season. By planting later in the season, you reduce the risk of squash bugs attacking plants.

2. Cover young seedlings with floating row covers once the seeds sprout and begin to grow. Row covers provide protection from squash bugs that attack young plants before they can flower.

3. Check growing plants for red-orange eggs of squash vine borers. They leave yellow, sawdust-like droppings near the base of stems. Start looking in April in warm climates, and late June in cooler climates, which is when adults lay their eggs.

4. Remove row covers once flowers appear on the plant to allow pollinators access to flowers. Leave the covers off for the remainder of the growing season, or replace row covers each afternoon and remove early each morning, to allow access by pollinators.

5. Dust the entire plant with products containing pyrethrin, an organic pesticide, every two days for one week to eliminate squash vine borer eggs before they hatch.

6. Place a layer of sand underneath each fruit that begins to grow. This will deter snails and slugs from eating the soft flesh of young pumpkins. Maintain this ring of sand until the fruit hardens.

Tips & Warnings

• Pyrethrin products are available in garden supply centers and farm supply stores. Follow manufacturer's directions and warnings for use.

• Check the tags on plants, and select pest and disease resistant cultivars.

• Floating row covers are available at local farm supply stores or can be purchased online.

References

• Pumpkin Nook: Those Pesky Bugs
• Blue Horizon Farm: Grow Your Own Organic Pumpkins
• Giant Veggie Gardener: How to Control Squash Bugs

Resources

• Planet Natural: Growing Pumpkins
• USDA: Agriculture