Squash vine borers are a common garden pest that can quickly destroy your squash plants. In this video, I'll show you two effective methods to stop them from invading your garden BEFORE they start.

First, I'll demonstrate how to prune your squash plants to make them less attractive to the moths that lay the borers' eggs. Then, I'll show you how to inject the vines with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural insecticide that is safe for your plants and pollinators. Finally, I'll show you how to wrap the vines with a physical barrier to prevent the moths from laying eggs in the first place.

By following these methods, you can protect your squash plants from squash vine borers and enjoy a bountiful harvest this season.

Here are the steps in more detail:

1. Prune your squash plants. This will make them less attractive to the moths that lay the borers' eggs. Prune off any dead, diseased, or damaged leaves and stems. You can also remove any suckers that grow from the main stem.

2. Inject the vines with Bt. Bt is a natural insecticide that is safe for your plants and pollinators. It is effective against the larvae of the squash vine borer. To inject the vines with Bt, you will need a hypodermic needle and a bottle of Bt solution. Follow the instructions on the bottle to inject the Bt solution into the main stem of the plant.

3. Wrap the vines with a physical barrier. This will prevent the moths from laying eggs on the vines in the first place. You can use a variety of materials to wrap the vines, such as aluminum foil, plastic sheeting, or row covers.

By following these methods, you can protect your squash plants from squash vine borers and enjoy a bountiful harvest this season.

Here are some additional tips:

- Check your plants regularly for signs of borers. If you see any holes in the stems or leaves, or sawdust-like frass, you may have a problem.
- Dispose of any infested plants or plant parts immediately.
- Plant resistant varieties of squash.
- Practice good garden hygiene. This includes removing all plant debris from the garden at the end of the season.

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00:00 Intro
03:50 Trimming
07:06 Mixing the BT
09:22 Injecting
10:43 Wrapping
14:57 Recap


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