i am declaring war on the squash bugs and svb and need help.

10 years ago

I have always gardened organically. For the past four years, I have lost every squash, cucumber, and watermelon to Squash bugs and SVB.

This year, I have a GORGEOUS patch of spaghetti squash. We got the seeds at the Tulsa Ecofest, and they went bonkers. I have at least 30 squash growing, and many, many many blooms.

I check it daily. I find squash bugs daily and kill them by squishing them between gloved fingers. I find squash bug eggs daily and pull the affected leaves off and throw them in the trash. I have tried to crush squash bug eggs, but they are so hard to crush, and I'm never sure if I got them good enough. So now I just pull the leaves off.

Enough is enough. This year, it's war. I am willing to go non-organic for the squash bed. What can I do to kill these little b&%#s^%$rds?

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Comments (8)

joellenh
Original Author
10 years ago
Never mind! I just saw the other squash bug thread! Will be trying some of these suggestions. Thanks!

Jo
Lisa_H OK
10 years ago
Jo...you need to grow zucchetta! NO squash bugs!

Lisa
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joellenh
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks Lisa! I will have to remember to buy some seeds next year! Do you just grill or saute them?

Jo
joellenh
Original Author
10 years ago
The zucchetta. Not the squash bugs. Eww.

Jo
p_mac
10 years ago
I'll trade you zuchetta seeds if you'll save me some spaghetti squash seeds!!!! I can't find them and found out too late this year that I like this squash better than pasta!
Lemme know!

Paula
Lisa_H OK
10 years ago
Jo, it is pretty firm for a squash, it would definitely grill pretty well. I've used it in casseroles and stirfries. Sharon said she sliced it thin and used it on top of a veggie pizza.
joellenh
Original Author
10 years ago
Paula, if any of mine live, I'll save you a BUNCH of seeds!

Jo
Okiedawn OK Zone 7
10 years ago
Jo,

If you want to go nuclear to protect your squash plants, the most effective synthetic pesticide for control of squash bugs is bifenthrin. If you choose to use it, be sure to spray the plants at a time of day when bees are not active. You don't want to kill the pollinators.

Dawn