Purdue University
Cooperative Extension Service
Department of Entomology
Publication E-21
April 1974
Vegetable Insect Control
IN THE HOME GARDEN
David L. Matthew, Extension Entomologist
NON-CHEMICAL CONTROL METHODS
A neat, cleanly cultivated garden along with close inspection of plants at frequent intervals should make insecticides unnecessary in most home gardens.
This is especially true for caterpillars, loopers, and hornworms, which can be picked from the plants and destroyed.
GENERAL-PURPOSE INSECTICIDES
Ready-to-use "general-purpose" garden sprays and dusts contain several ingredients to control the principal insects and diseases of vegetables. The insecticides usually included are methoxychlor, rotenone, carbaryl (Sevin), malathion and/or pyrethrins. None of these ingredients are very toxic to humans and can be used safely up to or near harvest. If applied often and according to directions, general-
purpose mixtures will give reasonably good protection to home garden vegetable crops.
INSECTICIDES FOR SPECIAL USES
Sometimes gardeners need insecticides that control certain pests. Below is a list of common garden insects and the insecticides that control them. Each insecticide should be mixed as shown in Table 1 and/or used according to package directions.
RESIDUES AND HARVEST RESTRICTIONS
To avoid harmful residues, it is very important that the correct number of days elapse between the time the last spray or dust application is made and the time the crop is harvested. These restrictions are given in Table 2.
INSECTS AND INSECTICIDES (See E-88 Common Vegetable Insects for full color pictures.)		
Aphids	Sprays: malathion or diazinon.	Dusts: 4% malathion.
Bean Leaf Beetle	Sprays: carbaryl (Sevin), methoxychlor, diazinon, or malathion.	Dusts: 5% carbaryl (Sevin), 5% methoxychlor, 4% malathion, or 1% rotenone.
Blister Beetle	Sprays: carbaryl (Sevin), or methoxychlor.	Dusts: 5% carbaryl (Sevin), or 5% methoxychlor.
Cabbage Worms	Sprays: carbaryl (Sevin), methoxvchlor, or Bacillus thuringiensis (Riotrol, Dipel, Thuricide).	Dusts: 5% methoxychlor, 1% rotenone, 5% carbaryl (Sevin), or Bacillus thuringiensis.
Colorado Potato Beetle	Sprays: carbaryl (Sevin).	Dusts: 5% carbaryl (Sevin), 5% methoxychlor, or 1% rotenone.
Corn Earworm	Sprays: carbaryl (Sevin).	Dusts: 5% carbaryl (Sevin).
Cucumber Beetle	Sprays: methoxychlor, or carbaryl (Sevin).	Dusts: 5% methoxychlor, or 5% carbaryl (Sevin).
Cutworms	Sprays: carbaryl (Sevin).  Soil Treatment: 2.5 lb. 10% chlordane granules per 1000 sq. ft. for crops listed on label.	Dusts: carbaryl (Sevin).
European Com Borer	Sprays: carbaryl (Sevin).	Dusts: 5% carbaryl (Sevin). Granules: 2. 5% diazinon.