How to Control Squash Bugs In Your Garden
Squash Bug Identification
- Squash bugs measure 5/8 inch long.
- These bugs can be either dark brown or dark gray.
- The abdomen of the squash bug has alternating orange and brown stripes.
- Squash bugs have shield-shaped bodies
Identifying Squash Bug Eggs
- The eggs of the squash bugs are oval-shaped, 1/16 inch long, and yellowish to bronze.
- The female squash bug lays about 20 clusters of eggs on the undersides of leaves, especially between the leaves’ veins, where a V is formed.
How to Identify Squash Bugs Nymphs
- Once the eggs hatch the nymphs are light green.
- The nymphs range in size from 1/10 to 1/2 inch long.
- Before reaching adulthood the nymphs go through five stages called instars.
Squash Bug Damage
- Injured leaves by the squash bug develop yellow spots that eventually turn brown.
- The plant leaves and stems begin to wilt.
- Leaves and stems that wilt become dry and crispy followed by turning black.
- The leaves and the vines of plants collapse.
- Fruits that are affected by these bugs are distorted and discolored.
- Infected fruits that are stored oftentimes rot quickly.
Cultural Control of Squash Bugs
- Squash bugs like other insects seek fallen leaves and garden debris as their habitat to hide even overwintering, one key component to controlling and reducing the squash bug population is sanitation. Keeping your garden clean of fallen leaves, fruits, and debris is an ideal cultural practice to reduce and control the squash bug population. The removal of dead leaves, and vines and keeping your garden free of weeds will also help to manage this garden pest.
- Be mindful of using mulch especially if there’s an issue with squash bugs, these bugs will use mulch as a place to hide even overwintering in mulch.
- Crop rotation by not planting the same plant species in the same location year after year can control squash bug pests.
Companion Plants
Companion planting is a natural and safe approach to repel squash bugs, interplanting mint, garlic, dill, onion, radish, chives, marigolds, tansy, nasturtiums, and bee balm among garden plants may help to keep squash bugs away.
Non-Chemical Methods to Control Squash Bugs
Before reaching for insecticides to control squash bugs consider the use of non-chemical methods that are proven to be effective, because insecticides can drift off or reach beneficial insects and pollinators that can harm them. But if there is a server infestation then a combination of both methods (non-chemical and insecticides) may have to be used but still consider your options to use non-chemical methods if possible.
- The adult squash bugs can be controlled with the use of a garden watering can/ jug or a garden hose with a gauge attachment, a hand vacuum will also come in handy, water the base of your plants with your watering can or garden hose, this should cause the adult squash bugs to scatter or come out of hiding. Once the bugs surface use the hand vacuum, vacuum them up, and discard of bugs in a plastic bag. Ensure that the plastic bag is tied. Place the bug in your trash container.
- The adults seem to be resistant when spraying soapy water on them, but soapy water sprayed on the nymphs (baby) will eliminate them.
- For the eggs look on the undersides of your plant’s leaves, you should see a few eggs laid in clusters, with duct tape or other tape gently press the sticky side of the tape onto the eggs and then remove or pull back the tape. The eggs will be stuck to the tape which you can discard.
- The eggs can also be scrapped off and squashed.
- Fill a bucket or container with soapy water, and pick bugs off throwing them into soapy water will kill them, but if you have a large infestation then this method may be too tedious.
Organic Insecticides to Control Squash Bugs
Organic insecticides are a safe approach in the control of squash bugs on edible plants, however, be very careful and avoid the application of these insecticides when pollinators and beneficial insects are most active which can harm them.
- Diatomaceous earth is effective against the squash bugs’ nymphs, inspect the undersides of plant leaves, and where there are nymphs sprinkle Diatomaceous earth, once this organic insecticide comes in contact with insects will cut into their bodies causing the insect to dehydrate and die. Be careful not to inhale the dust that can cause lung irritation, wear a mask when applying this organic dust.
- Another product that can be used to control squash bugs is AzaSol which can be sprayed onto your garden plants, read and follow the directions on the label for how to use it. Again when using insecticides make applications when pollinators and beneficial insects are least active to avoid killing the good guys.
- Spinosad is organic dust that is somewhat effective, lightly dust the leaves where the damage appears. Dust applications can also be applied to the plant’s stems.
- Neem oil will offer some help by reducing the squash bug population.
Other insecticides that can be used to control squash bugs are Sevin Insect Killer Concentrate and Sevin Insect Killer Ready to Spray which will not only eliminate squash bugs but more than 500 other insect pests. Sevin Insect Killer Dust Ready to Use can also bring control.
Additional information
- Growing healthy plants can help to withstand the attack of squash bugs.
- Late spring and summer is the time when squash bugs emerge from their hiding place, consider planting squash early in the season so that by the time squash bugs show up your plants will be mature and healthy.
- Resistant plant varieties can offer help.
- Use lightweight “floating” row covers to protect your young squash plants from squash bugs.
Conclusion
The control of squash bugs in your garden can be a success, these bugs can do lots of damage if left unchecked. Don’t let these insect pests rob you of your harvest when you can strike back by the application of these proven methods that will go to work for you to ensure that you reap a bountiful harvest.
