How to Keep Bugs Off of Watermelons

Watermelon plants are susceptible to multiple pests including cucumber beetles, melon aphids, mites, whiteflies and squash bugs. These insects cause damage to the fruit as well as the watermelon plant's leaves and vines by sucking out the juices inside and eating their surfaces. Control pests from harming watermelon plants by using a combination of mechanical methods along with natural and chemical pesticides.

Row covers
Cardboard sheets
Salt
Garden hose
Gloves
Bowl
Soapy water
Praying mantis bus and lady bugs
Radish plants
Insecticidal soap
Rotenone or a pyrethrum-based insecticide

Instructions

- 1
  Cover young watermelon seedlings with row covers to keep them out of bugs' reach. Remove the covers once the watermelon plants begin to develop flowers.
- 2
  Manually remove bugs off of watermelon plants by spraying the surfaces and undersides of leaves as well as the fruit with a gentle yet steady stream of water from a garden hose. Wear gloves and pick the pests from the plants. Drop the bugs in a bowl full of soapy water to kill them.
- 3
  Release groups of praying mantis and lady bugs into your garden at night near the watermelon plants. These bugs are natural predators of mealy bugs, aphids, caterpillars, slugs and leaf worms.
- 4
  Plant radishes around your watermelon plants to deter cucumber beetles. The smell and taste of radish plants will deter the beetles from coming near your watermelon plants.
- 5
  Spray insecticidal soap onto your plants according to package directions to control aphids. Read the package warnings and directions before making the application.
- 6
  Spray a rotenone or a pyrethrum-based insecticide on the plants to control adult cucumber beetles. Make the application at dusk to prevent hurting beneficial insects such as honey bees, lady bugs or praying mantis. Read and follow all package directions when applying these insecticides.

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