Need help finding a culprit or can it be ants ?

[powerserge]

my zuchini plant is being attacked i dont see anything other than ants around ! any ideas ?

 

[stepstephens2]

I get that sometimes too... not with all of them, usually just 1 or 2 in my patch. I also have ants... but I also have a bunch of other bugs too. I've always thought it was a combo of pests. However, I have noticed there is usually a pincher bug (earwig) problem somewhere near the affected plant. Go out at night with a flashlight and check on it. If you aren't seeing the culprit feeding during the day, sometimes you can catch them then. Take your choice insect control with you so you can treat anything you see. That's how I learned I had a pincher bug infestation.

 

[lesa]

Have your plants been stressed? I noticed my squash and zucchini looked great for about 2 weeks in the garden. Then, we needed rain, and I didn't water them. In that weakened state, I saw something like what you are experiencing. The lesson I learned was not to let that happen again! The plants easily recovered and I had a huge harvest, so I wouldn't worry too much...
I wouldn't discount slugs either...

 

[hoodat]

slugs are easy to spot. They give themselves away with slime trails. My money is on corn worm or army worm. You'll find both by scratching around in the loose soil about 1/2 inch or less deep. You can also, as already mentioned, catch them doing their dirty work at night.

 

[powerserge]

Thanx for all your guy's help . I got home early and looked around yard for any pesky bugs . I dug a lil under the stem and saw like a teeny fly almost a gnat . come out of somewhere under dirt. There are fly's arounnd the ground during the day .hmm and as stephen mentioned i turned over a pot that was laying nearby and woosh pincher bugs everywhere . now that we have the culprit . Any suggestions how to rid pincher bugs ? will the old soapy water spray work ?

 

[stepstephens2]

I've tried soap and water and neem spray on them to no avail. Currently I'm using Corry's insect killer sprinkled about and then I'm wetting the ground (it says it lasts through rainfall.) I hate using regular pesticides, but I have so many I can't think what else to do. I've read that they usually aren't that huge of a problem but it looked like a feeding frenzy when I found them last year. (This year I caught them attacking a potted basil and breeding babies inside an eaten out hole in a radish! Yuck!) I have to admit that I chose the brand based on the fact that there was a giant cartoon pincher bug featured on the box, as one of the pests it controls. Anyways, they avoid the area once you sprinkle it.
As far as the little flies... I think they're thrips (?) I have both thrips and whiteflies. I just got a neem spray that you attach right to the hose nozzle and I love it. I just lightly hosed everything down and the next day the little flies were frozen dead wherever they were. But I've been thinking I could just put soap in the attachment when the neem runs out. The soap works well enough, it just doesn't repel them as well as the neem.
Sorry this is so long, but I hate pincher bugs almost as much as I hate gophers. Oh, and I know my username confuses people, sorry... I'm a girl, so it's stephanie. I should probably change that.

 

[powerserge]

Indeed Stephanie , I just went out again and saw them pincher bugs on my squash , pepper plant, on leaves . i killed at least 20 in less than 3 mins . Definitly an infestation of pichers . ill tray the internet for rid options if not guess ill have to get the pesticdes. thanx again .......