Gardeners who desire a high percentage of uninfested pods may have to apply preventative insecticide applications at five-day intervals beginning when the first blooms appear. Regular scouting of plants should detect insect populations while they are still low. However, there are some cultural practices that may be employed which will discourage insect infestations from the beginning. Crop rotation discourages some insects, particularly those that are host-specific and spend the winter in the soil. Wait for a good weather forecast before planting seed or transplants in the spring.
Some insects mature or overwinter in the stems and roots of host plants.
Therefore, another cultural strategy for insect control is the removal of plant debris at the end of the season to reduce insect overwintering sites. Some vegetable varieties are resistant to certain insects. This does not necessarily mean that a resistant variety is completely immune to damage, but it does mean that the variety may be less attractive to the insect or may be able to tolerate more damage than susceptible varieties. Before buying seeds or plants, check seed catalogs for information on resistant varieties which will grow well in your area. With increased emphasis on a cleaner environment, toxic or environmentally-persistent insecticides are being canceled or withdrawn from registration.