Row covers can not only increase muskmelon yield and earliness, but also reduce bacterial wilt, a disease vectored by striped cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum) and spotted cucumber beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata). Extending duration of the row-covered period into anthesis - by either placing hives of bumble bees (Bombus sp.) under the covers or merely opening the ends of the tunnels – may further protect muskmelon from bacterial wilt. In 2007 a field trial in Gilbert, IA evaluated extended duration row covers. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with 4 replications and 4 treatments. Subplots were 30-ft-long single rows with plastic mulch, drip irrigation, and 2-ft muskmelon transplant spacing (cv. Athena). Treatments were: 1) row covers removed at anthesis to allow natural pollination; 2) both ends of row covers opened at anthesis to allow pollinators to move underneath, row covers were completely removed 10 days later; 3) bumble bee hive (Koppert Biological Systems) inserted under the row cover at anthesis for pollination, row covers removed 10 days later; and 4) no row covers. We documented incidence of bacterial wilt through the growing season, and collected harvest data.