There was a study done in 2005 by Ohio State University that compared the effectiveness of various biorational and natural products to more traditional pesticides. Squash bug was one of the insects that was a target organism. What was interesting is that certain products were more effective at different life stages. The researchers compared the effectiveness of products on young nymphs, old nymphs and adults.
Following are the results for squash bug:
Life Stage Most Effective Moderately Effective Least Effective
Young Nymphs Spinosad Carbaryl
Pyrethrins
Permethrin Garlic
Neem Oil
Old Nymphs Spinosad Permethrin Pyrethrins
Carbaryl
Adults L-Cyhalothrin
Cyfluthrin
Pyrethrins Esfenvalerate
Spinosad
Permethrin
Carbaryl
Carbaryl – Sevin
Cyfluthrin – Bayer Vegetable & Garden Insect Spray Endosulfan Esfenvalerate – Monterey Bug Buster II L-cyalothrin – Bonide Beetle Killer; Spectracide Triazicide Permethrin – Bonide Eight Garden Dust; Bayer Complete Insect Dust; HiYield Garden, Pet & Livestock Dust Pyrethrins – Monterey Bug Buster-O; Fertilome Quik-Kill Home, Garden & Pet Spray Spinosad – Fertilome Borer, Bagworm, Leafminer & Tent Caterpillar Spray; Bonide Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew
To see the complete study, go to
http://entomology.osu.edu/
(Ward Upham)
