The spotted, striped, and banded cucumber beetles are very harmful to cucurbits (members of the gourd family, including cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and squashes), particularly young plants. Beetles commence feeding on plants as soon as they emerge and either kill the plants or greatly slow growth.

Use yellow sticky traps to catch cucumber beetles and other pests. Knock beetles to the ground and catch them with a piece of cardboard placed under the plant. Or, use a handheld vacuum to suck up the beetles.

Since they’re so small, they hide, feed, and breed without human intervention. These mites have piercing mouthparts which they use to poke holes in the leaves of your plant.

Spider mites can be controlled using some rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab.

You can dip the cotton swab into the alcohol and then swab your plant. This will instantly kill any mites it touches.

Soapy water also works wonders. Just dilute some drops of dish soap into a quart of water.

Even though aphids are considered minor pests of celery, they can be virus vectors. The soft-bodied adults put their needle-like mouths into plant tissue and suck the plant’s juices. While they are taking nutrients from the plant, these pests also insert toxins that affect the plant’s growth.

Aphids can be controlled with an insecticidal soap. Always spray plants in the early evening to reduce the chance of damage. Pay special attention to the lower leaf because that is where they usually are located.

The squash bug is one of the most common and troublesome pests in the home vegetable garden. Squash plants frequently are killed by this sap-feeding pest. Leaves of plants attacked by the bugs may wilt rapidly and become brittle. Winter varieties of squash, such as Hubbard and Marrows, are much more severely damaged by the squash bug than other varieties. Control is required to protect squash in the home garden.

Early detection of squash bugs is very important, as they are difficult to control and can cause considerable damage. Apply insecticides when nymphs are small, as adults are more difficult to kill.

The pickleworm (Diaphania nitidalis) severely damages cucumbers, cantaloupes, summer squash, and pumpkins. It also feeds on other cucurbits, such as winter squash and watermelons, but usually does little damage.

Pickleworm damage occurs when the caterpillars tunnel in flowers, buds, stems, and fruits. They prefer the fruits. Frass (sawdust-like insect waste) often protrudes from small holes in damaged fruits. At times, damaged fruits cannot be recognized until they are cut open. Damaged fruits are not edible. Flowers, buds, and sometimes entire plants may be killed.

Begin spraying susceptible cucurbits for pickleworms when the first buds or flowers appear and spray every 4 to 7 days with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or every 7 days with spinosad. Always spray in the evening to enhance control and to reduce the impact on pollinating insects.

White flies will suck out the plant juice with their sharp mouthparts and this will make them shrivel or dry. The cilantro leaves also will turn yellow or appear stunted. This is from the larvae. Adult whiteflies cause indirect damage by leaving their eggs and larvae behind.

Whiteflies look like tiny white aphids with pointed wings and a brown or dark head. They’re easy to see with the naked eye.

Prune and clean any damaged foliage. Remove them entirely because it’s likely infected with plant bacteria and eggs.

Next, you’ll need to clean. Soapy water can sterilize whitefly populations. Spray your cilantro down with a mixture of soap and water. It should kill them upon contact.