How can I get rid of these pesky cucumber beetles quickly and organically? They are destroying my cantaloupe at too quick a rate. I ordered some beneficial nematodes, but they might not rid me of the problem in time. Will DE kill them? I'm afraid to dust the plants because I just I just received a bunch of ladybugs in the garden and the DE will kill them too. How about traps? Do traps work at all?

DE would work but you are spot on about it killing the Lady Bugs as well .. pretty much anything organic or not that will kill the beetles will kill the Lady Bugs too .. about your only option is to hand pick them off.

Since they fly up when vegetation is disturbed, a Shop-Vac type vacuum cleaner works pretty well for removing them from plants. Entertaining for the neighbors, too.........