• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
Eliminating-Squash-Bugs-THUMB.jpg

Eliminating Squash Bugs

For the last three years squash bugs have sucked the life out of my pumpkins, melons and squash. I prefer not to use insecticides but really do not want to give up growing these vegetables. Please help.

You are right. This pest can suck the life out of young vine crops. Control is only needed when the plants are young and flowering. Mature plants can usually tolerate the damage. Keep your plants healthy and growing vigorously so they are better able to tolerate the damage. Try knocking small populations of the adult and immature squash bugs into a can of soapy water. Be sure to check under the leaves and stems. And as you probably know, you must be quick since they move fast when disturbed. Crush the small (1/16th inch) yellowish-bronze eggs found on the underside of the leaves and stems. Try trapping the adults with wet newspaper or boards laid on the soil around the plants. The squash bugs will gather under these at night and can be collected and destroyed in the morning. One gardener reported good luck using a wet white towel. Lastly be sure to clean up debris surrounding the garden. The debris creates a great hiding place for this pest. In fall remove all plant debris, especially vine crops, where the squash bug may overwinter.

Related

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants

Register here

Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden

Register here

Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants

Register here

March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs

Register here

March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here


March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI

March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation

Register here

March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A

Register here

April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here


April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here


May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here


May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property

Register here

June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds

Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win 3 Collections of Longfield Gardens
Dahlia Bulbs

ENTER NOW