Want to get rid of a pest or insect infestation from your Cantaloupe? You must first identify what kinds of pests are eating your sweet fruits. You will also need to know the most common pests and the methods that exist to eliminate this problem efficiently.
Below you will be able to know all the information you need to know on the subject.
What is eating my Cantaloupe?
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Cantaloupe is a sweet fruit, and it is why it attracts many different insects and pests that happen more when the fruit is open, split, or damaged. You can find worms, fleas, flies, aphids, beetles, and many more insects.
Depending on the type of bug and how long the infestation has been, it can be difficult or easy to control. The one thing you need to know is what kind of pest or insect you are to control it, and you should inspect your Cantaloupe. Check the stem, leaves, and fruit to see how it is.
You can find several species of insects that eat it to check that your fruits are safe and good. Different home remedies can help you eliminate this problem.
Cantaloupe Diseases
Some Cantaloupe diseases are dangerous but not lethal, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and insects are a great threat to all Cantaloupes.
Some Cantaloupes are apt to nasty bacterial diseases and that they cannot fight on their own. Some pests can reduce the natural defense of the Cantaloupe, and this can make it susceptible to viral and fungal diseases of the plant.
When plants have an infestation, they begin to decay, wilt and thus stunt their growth. This problem can attract more insects and thus becomes a vicious cycle.
Among the most commonly viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases of Cantaloupe are:
- Plague
- Listeria
- Charcoal rot
- Bark rot
- Anthracnose
- Alternaria leaf spot
- Angular leaf spot
- Flight of gummy stem
- Downy mildew
- Fusarium wilt
- powdery mold
- Monosporascus root rot
- Root nematodes
- Papaya ringspot
- WaterCantaloupe mosaic
- Pumpkin mosaic
- Yellow zucchini mosaic
- Pumpkin leaf curl
- Tobacco ring stain
- Papaya ringspot
- Cucumber mosaic
In common that it begins with a disease, and then errors will follow it, then there will be both at the same time. You may find a Cantaloupe in poor condition that has pests and fungal diseases together.
Read More: How to Get Rid of Small Black Bugs with Hard Shell in House
How to Get Rid of Bugs on Cantaloupe Naturally?
Cantaloupe has a sweet aroma that tares insects; if you want to get rid of pests, you can use the following tips on the Cantaloupe you have in your house. Specific home remedies work or others that don’t, so you should try several and see which one works best for you.
Each infestation is not the same, and you must treat it as unique, that is why they require your control and management. If you want to have a better result, you can try several methods.
Use sand or pebbles as a substrate.
Pests such as flies, beetles, and fungus gnats can be burrowing under the ground to lay their eggs. Usually, the larvae feed on the roots of the Cantaloupe and chew it. For young Cantaloupe seedlings, these larvae can be dangerous.
Using a 1″ layer of pebbles over the topsoil to slow or stop the eggs’ deposition. Rocks make it harder for pests to burrow through the soil and lay eggs. It works to prevent new infestations by stopping the life cycle of pests.
Solid things with a small diameter work perfectly. River rocks, marbles, small rocks, gravel, pebbles, large rocks, among others. You should add a very thin layer over the base of the Cantaloupe plant. If you have the Cantaloupe plant in a pot, you should only cover the soil layer with pebbles.
If you have it on the ground, cover it at least 8″ from the stem in all directions to have good results.
Can use sand
Believe it or not, and is an excellent option to eliminate all kinds of pests that eat Cantaloupe. You should place the sand close to the root of the plant and be layered at 0.5 “thick. As the sand is very fine, it is difficult for pests and fleas to lay their eggs around the Cantaloupe.
You can use the sand for soil and potting. If you want to buy sand, you can go to any hardware store. Filter sand and play sand are excellent substrates.
Attract beneficial insects
Some insects like ladybugs can help you eat worms, beetles, flies, and fleas on your Cantaloupe. You can manage and control Cantaloupe insects and pests by attracting natural predators to your Cantaloupe plant.
There are two types of beneficial insects that you can use to help you eat and kill different insects that are killing your Cantaloupe. So whether it is:
- Aphids
- Silverleaf whiteflies
- Beet armyworm
- Striped cucumber beetle
- Cabbage loopers
With these errors, you can eliminate them and reduce them in number. Ladybugs are beneficial insects that can be helpful and good for your Cantaloupe plants. They are capable of eating larvae, pest eggs, small insects such as ants, small spiders, and aphids.
How To Keep Bugs Off My Cantaloupe?
Preventing insects and pests from reaching your Cantaloupe is very important for organic gardening. When you plant your Cantaloupe, you will need to cover it with floating rows to keep insects away. When it begins to bloom, make sure to remove the cloth so that good insects can reach them for pollination.
Kaolin clay repellent is a good repellent, and it is useful, it is a non-chemical spray. The homemade water spray infused with chili peppers and minced garlic.
Another tip that can help you keep insects away is sticky traps. They are a great option for keeping out flying pests; you can buy them at any local hardware store and place them around your plant.
If you have your Cantaloupe plant in a pot, what you can do is line the outside of the pot with this adhesive tape. You can find these adhesive tapes in many designs; you need to choose one suitable for fruit flies, fruit flies, vinegar flies, or aphids. You should use it as directed on the label of your product.
You can also spray with a garden hose. Water and pressure can kill some insects that are on the leaves and Cantaloupe. You should use a hose with a nozzle, or you can use a finger to spray the plants. You can do this procedure two times a day, the water will bother the insects, and if it is constant, many will leave that area.
The nymphs will not be able to return to the plants when they fall; this will prevent them from reaching the green leaves to chew on them.
