get out how to get rid of squash bugs with these natural pest control bakshish .
Marty Baldwin
Squash bugs(Anasa tristis)are notorious flora pests with an unsatiable gustatory sensation for cucurbit vegetables , including summer and wintertime squash , pumpkins , melon vine , gourd , courgette , and cucumbers . These garden marauders are notoriously difficult to verify . They overwinter in plant debris and emerge class after twelvemonth to wreak mayhem in garden beds . With the right tips and tools in your gardening armory , you could eliminate squash bugs for commodity using all - natural , organic method .
Credit:Marty Baldwin
Identifying Squash Bugs
grown squash bugsmeasure about ½ inch long . Their gray-headed - to - brown , savorless bodies are shaped like a cello instrument , with gently flaring sides ornament with flyspeck orangeness stripe . While they can flee , squelch hemipteron usually walk between industrial plant leaves and stanch on their slender , fatal leg . These worm are most active during the strong summertime month .
squeeze bug eggsare carmine - brown and oval - influence . They are usually observe in clusters on the underside of plant leaves . In about 10 Clarence Day , they hatch into baby squash bug or nymphs .
Squash bug nymphsalso congregate on the undersides of leave of absence , and their tear - shaped bodies are sometimes underwrite in diminutive spikes .
Squash Bug Look-Alikes
Squash hemipteran are comparatively coarse throughout North America , but several insects closely resemble them . Before diagnose a squash bug problem , double - check that you ’re not dealing with these squash hemipteron look - alikes .
Signs of a Squash Bug Problem
Compared to other garden pests , squash bugs are relatively large , so you may see them feed in clustering around plant crowns , on plant stems , and on the underside of leaves . If you do n’t see the squash bugs themselves , you may notice signs of crush bug wrong , including :
Tips for Preventing and Controlling Squash Bugs
Taking steps at the beginning of the season to forbid squash racquets bugs is always the best pick . However , if mash bugs have already intrude on your garden , do n’t desperation . These pests can be take away using all organic method , although you ’ll need to play quickly to confine their spread .
1. Choose resistant plants.
Squash bugs are particularly warm ofwinter squashandpumpkins , but there are some cucurbit plants they do n’t like . If you desire to keep off squash hemipteron in the future , grow plants that are naturally resistive to squeeze bugs , such as butternut and ‘ Royal Acorn ’ squash .
2. Install barriers.
Because squelch bugs are most active early in the time of year , row coversare particularly effective against them . For sound issue , install row natural covering in spring and use them in continuative with craw revolution . Remove the cover when your plants get to bloom , or hand - cross-pollinate the peak to assure your cucurbits produce a good harvest of fruit .
3. Grow companion plants.
Companion plantingis an organic gardening method that can control several pests , including squash bugs . Squash microbe tend to avoid plants likecatnip , marigolds , nasturtiums , andbee balm . Interplanting these companions among cucurbits can keep the vegetables secure . you’re able to also accompany industrial plant with flowering herbs , likedill , to draw in beneficial insects that feed on squeeze bug egg .
4. Try handpicking.
pesticide often do n’t turn against adult squash bug , but you may control squash hemipteron nymphs and adults by handpicking them off your plants and devolve them into a pail of unctuous water . While you ’re at it , inspect the underside of the flora leave behind for squash bug eggs and scrape off the eggs you find using a butter tongue , or trim the infested leave-taking and burn them . To stay on top of squash vine bug problem , check out your plant at least once a week for newly laid eggs .
5. Use organic sprays.
Instead of use chemical pesticides , utilize constitutive insecticidal soap sprays to beat squash bug nymph . put on soap atomiser every three to five days to infested leave and stem .
Avoid spraying industrial plant bloom with constituent insecticidal soap , as even organic products can affect pollinators .
6. Make a squash bug trap.
Squash bugs usually hide under rocks and plant debris at nighttime — a fact you’re able to use to your advantage by making a squash hemipteran yap . Lay a board or old tile on the soil near infested industrial plant in the evening . mark the trap early the next morning and destroy any squash hemipteran you find .
7. Be vigilant.
root out large populations of squash racquets bugs takes time , so do n’t give up if you have n’t mother rid of all the squash bug in your garden in one go . Check the affected plant at least once a hebdomad for fresh ball and nymphs and nearly inspect hard - to - reach spots , like under leaves and along industrial plant stem . Using multiple pest control strategies together , such as comrade planting combined with craw barriers , usually grant better results than a exclusive solution .
8. Clean the garden thoroughly.
Squash bugs hide in sure-enough leafage litter during the wintertime , but you’re able to keep them from reemerging in spring by clean up and destroying diseased plant affair in the fall . If potential , burn up any infested cucurbit industrial plant andavoid composting infested leavesand stems , as most compost big bucks do n’t get blistering enough to kill crush microbe and their eggs .
Wait until spring tomulch your veg garden , as squash germ sometimes overwinter in thick layers of mulch .
