Year-Round IPM Program Pages
This year-round IPM program covers the major pests of cucurbits in the Sacramento, San Joaquin, Coachella, Palos Verde and Imperial Valleys, as well as Riverside County.
About Harvest and postharvest
- Special issues of concern related to environmental quality: drift and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Mitigate pesticide effects on air and water quality.
What should you be doing during this time?
Harvest rapidly to reduce exposure of fruit to pest infestations such as pathogens and vinegar flies.
Clean equipment and tractors between fields to prevent the spread of soil borne pathogens and weed seeds.
During harvest, note or record the type of damage on fruit to assess this year's pest management results and to plan for next year.
Check for root galling if root rot nematode damage is suspected. If galls are present dig up a series of plants to determine distribution and severity. If management is warranted, consider choosing a resistant or non-host crop, or treat the soil according to the Cucurbits Pest Management Guidelines next season.
Carry out sanitation practices in the field to reduce the spread of:
- Aphids (green peach and melon)
- Cutworms
- Driedfruit beetles
- Leafhoppers
- Leafminers
Consider fall bed herbicide applications as part of a weed management program. See Cucurbits Pest Management Guidelines for details. If herbicides will be used, customize the susceptibility to herbicide table for the weed complex in your field.
Consider crop rotation next season to reduce pathogen and weed problems.