Squash bugs - treat before you see them?

14 years ago

I have a few squash plants that look pretty nice now - they have a couple of small blooms. I planted them late, I think. A fellow local gardener said that I should put something on them to prevent bugs before I see any bugs, because once I actually see them, it's too late.

He mentioned those bugs that eat the squash stems from the inside out and kill the whole plant. Are those different from the squash bugs you see on the leaves of the plants? If the squash bugs that I've seen on the leaves (in prior years) don't kill the whole plant from the base then I would think you could pick them off and smush 'em.

Anyway, I generally try to use as little "bug stuff" as possible. I am wondering how many people use "bug stuff" before you see the bugs. Or, do you wait until you see bugs/plant damage before reacting?

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Comments (4)

atokadawn
14 years ago
I spray my plants with a soap water mix once a week. That way I do not have to worry.
honeybunny442
14 years ago
The guy at the greenhouse and seed supply in Knoxville (the one on Rutledge) told us those are two different bugs and need two different chemicals. One of the chemicals is called Dispel and I forget what the other one is.
We always get those squash bugs something terrible. I hate em! (not as much as I hate chiggers, though)
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Dave Townsend
14 years ago
Row covers are he best method fro prevention up until blooming but I haven't used them this year. I'm sequentially planting my squash to have a constant crop and just accepting that I will lose them as I go. The squash vine borer is the one that eats form the inside. The adult is a wasp like moth that you might see hovering around your plants. The other is a true bug, squash bug. They are related to stink bugs and look similar. Squash bugs will lay their eggs all over the leaves and you can squish them or remove them when you see them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Squash Vine Borer
mstagjd120
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the info. I am going to watch for the bugs and try the soapy water spray. Lani - how do you mix this? I think I have a recipe for Ivory liquid soap spray that calls for two spoonfuls Ivory soap to a spray bottle full of water.

Now, can I have a moment to gripe? I have several tomato plants that actually look great - the best ones for me ever. Several sandwich slicer size green tomatoes and many smaller ones. Yesterday I get home and there on the grass is a pretty, green tomato (a big one), with a bite mark plus a thousand ants on it.

I guess a squirrel did that. Stupid squirrel.