A living organism that can be used to control pests and/or diseases is called a “biocontrol.” The following web sites all sell (or have a list of sellers of) Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, a parasitic nematode (microscopic worm), that enters and destroys the larvae of the cucumber beetle. It is effective against some other larvae, as well.
1. http://greenmethods.com/site/shop/buy-bugs/3/
2. http://www.fertilizeronline.com/nematodes.php
3. http://www.bugladyconsulting.com/Suppliers%20of%20beneficial%20insects.htm
And for more info on insect parasitic (i.e., “beneficial”) nematodes: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/nematodes/
Buying beneficial nematodes can be a bit pricey, especially for a smaller-sized garden, so you may want to try buying them and sharing the expense with other gardening neighbors, (which is always a good idea, anyway, since this helps to eliminate the pest from your entire neighborhood, not just your yard !), or you may want to try a different, less expensive solution first, e.g., the Burpee cucumber beetle trap. However, these nematodes will eliminate some other pests besides the cucumber beetle, while the traps (I believe) are very target insect-specific.
Note: Nematodes and other treatments that control the Striped Cucumber Beetle are equally effective against the Spotted Cucumber Beetle.
Spotted Cucumber Beetle (adult)
[See journal entry, below, for more info regarding the Cucumber Beetle.]
