Cucumber beetles are very much a destructive pest and will target plants other than cucumbers. We get quite  a few calls with people who insist they have an infestation but have never grown cucumbers! I don't think it's particularly important what you're growing that can lead to an infestation; if there is a population somewhere close by and you have a vegetable garden, expect some activity which will need some kind of treatments.

If you review our CUCUMBER BEETLE CONTROL article, you'll learn we have many organic solutions that work well. The more common concentrates we sell include the 3 IN 1 SPRAY and the MULTI PURPOSE INSECT KILLER. Both work well and will handle any garden pest. The 3 In 1 contains the fungicide so for some people, this is the way to go. But if you have a stubborn problem and feel you need the strongest organic spray around, go with the Multipurpose Insect Killer as it works well.

Here are direct links to the products mentioned above:

http://www.cucumberbeetles.com/cucumber-beetle-control

http://www.non-toxic-pest-control.com/concentrates/3-in-1-fim-32-oz

http://www.non-toxic-pest-control.com/concentrates/multi-purpose-insect-killer-24-oz

We have several organic products that can be used effectively for cucumber beetles. One of the most common products used over the years has been INSECTICIDAL SOAP. It will work on them but it doesn't last and it's not the strongest option. At this time we recommend either MULTI PURPOSE INSECT KILLER or the GARDEN DEFENSE WITH NEEM. Both are extremely effective on any type of beetle and they seem to be active for a few days which helps reduce the amount of times you'll need to spray.

What most people don't realize is that 90% or more of their cucumber beetle problem is that once they get on your property, they tend to stay there breeding in the soil. If you want to get rid of them once and for all, you should treat the ground direcly under and around your garden. This will help reduce effective egg laying and cucumber beetle larvae survival so in the end, you'll be able to control them before they ever become a problem. This is a much smarter approach when it comes to treating this pest.

You are right; cucumber beetles are tough. Their outer insect skin is thick and rigid making normal sprays viturally useless against this tough armor. Though INSECTICIDAL SOAP has long been used on them, there are other and newer products which work much better these days on this garden pest.

Currently we have two organic gardening sprays which work well. The MULTI PURPOSE INSECT KILLER will be fine if you are only concerned about spraying for nuisance insects. It will handle most anything and you will find it seems to last a week or more when used on cucumber beetles. If you also have mites or fungus in the garden, use the THREE in ONE CONCENTRATE. This product uses several actives which work on many insects as well as common vegetable garden fungus disease. By using the Three in One, you can take care of several concerns with just one spray.

Cucumber beetle control is best attained by treating early and often. We have several NON TOXIC SPRAY that can do the job. The most common for cucumber beetle control would be INSECTICIDAL SOAP but the MULTI PURPOSE INSECT KILLER and the 3 IN 1 CONCENTRATE are probably more effective on this sometimes tough to kill beetle. You can read more about this in the organic section of our CUCUMBER BEETLE CONTROL ARTICLE.

Be sure to get underneath the plant leaves when spraying and use a good PUMP SPRAYER to do the job. Remember, these beetles like to hide out of site and any that are missed can continue to feed. It will take a little longer to treat more thorough but in the end, the effort will be worth it.