I planted my squash in virgin soil this year. It is only my second year dealing with these pests since This is my second year in NC being from the northwest. I have found that once I’ve removed the infected plants and disposed of, (burned, etc.) that after planting new seeds any seedlings that did emerge were weak and very unhealthy. One had a seed pod attached to its leaves and I carefully squeezed slightly to help it remove the pod and a larvae dropped out from the pod. And yes the plant died before the leaves could open. I have had the cocoons from the moths emerging from the soil early morning. I truly believe that once they kill off the host plant the move into the soil and kill any available seeds or seedlings. I want to know how to kill these pests once they have gotten into the soil. I know the Tomato Horned worm can overwinter in the soil and create problems for the following growing season. So there must be a way to kill these pests without removing and replacing soil. As others have stated I planted in soil that never had anything planted in. But I’m finding these pests are destroying my seeds before they can emerge from the soil. And I’m finding their cocoons coming out of the soil even when all plants have been removed and destroyed.
I planted my squash in virgin soil this year. It is only my second year dealing with these pests since This is my second year in NC being from the northwest. I have found that once I’ve removed the infected plants and disposed of, (burned, etc.) that after planting new seeds any seedlings that did emerge were weak and very unhealthy. One had a seed pod attached to its leaves and I carefully squeezed slightly to help it remove the pod and a larvae dropped out from the pod. And yes the plant died before the leaves could open. I have had the cocoons from the moths emerging from the soil early morning. I truly believe that once they kill off the host plant the move into the soil and kill any available seeds or seedlings. I want to know how to kill these pests once they have gotten into the soil. I know the Tomato Horned worm can overwinter in the soil and create problems for the following growing season. So there must be a way to kill these pests without removing and replacing soil. As others have stated I planted in soil that never had anything planted in. But I’m finding these pests are destroying my seeds before they can emerge from the soil. And I’m finding their cocoons coming out of the soil even when all plants have been removed and destroyed.