Hello all. I am brand new to gardening...planted my first garden at the end of May this spring, and I'm using the "All New Square Foot Gardening" method.
In one of my squares I planted watermelon. It took off and just went WILD about 3 weeks ago, and I (on advise of author) built a trellis and have the vines growing vertically. They're doing pretty nicely, with about 9 fruit set already and more coming. However, I have noticed several small moth-like bugs, they're dark brown...some tan...and they're all over the vines. When I flick them with my finger, they fly off and then come right back. What can I do to get rid of them? I have read about insecticidal soaps. A Home Depot worker told me she uses DAWN dish detergent and it works just as well as the spray bottle version of insecticidal soap that HD sells. Are either of those the remedy?
Also, do those bugs cause the rotting of the fruit or vine, as seen in my picture? If not, what causes that and how can I remedy? All advise and direction will be appreciated. By the way, I am in Zone 8a (north suburb of Dallas, TX)
