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How to Identify Squash Bugs
Eggs: Squash bugs lay their eggs on the undersides of leaves in small clusters. Newly laid eggs are shiny yellow in color while mature eggs are brick red.
Nymphs: Nymphs start life pale green in color and
turn gray as they age.
Adults: When these garden pests turn into adults,
they grow to ½ inch in size. Their bodies are oval shaped and either dark brown
or black in color.
When Squash Bugs Attack
The life cycle of a squash bug happens over the course of
a year, which is good news because this limits them to producing 1 generation a
year. Spring is the time these garden pests lay their eggs. 1 to 2 weeks later,
they hatch into nymphs which take about 4 to 6 weeks to grow. When winter rolls
around, adult squash bugs burrow under garden debris or anything lying on the
ground that will give them shelter.
Common Plants Squash Bugs Attack
Nymphs and adult squash bugs will suck the juices from the
following plants, attacking stems and vines.
- Squash
- Cucumbers
- Pumpkins
- Gourds
- Melons
How to Identify Squash Bug Damage
There are telltale signs that squash bugs are present in
the garden, organic or not. Vines and stems have obvious “bite marks” which
look like ragged dents. Leaves of plants begin to wilt, turn black and
eventually die. This can happen to young shoots as well.
7 Ways to Control Squash Bugs Organically
1. Plant Resistant Varieties of Plants: Check with
the local plant nursery, consult seed catalogs and gardening websites for plant
varieties that are resistant to squash bugs.
2. Handpick Bugs: Check the undersides of plants
regularly and handpick any and all eggs, nymphs and adult squash bugs. Carry a
bucket or bottle of soapy water and drop the garden pests inside where they’ll
drown. This is a great way to control pests organically.
3. Use Trellises: Grow plants along trellises
to keep vines off the ground.
4. Utilize Boards/Cardboard: Place boards or pieces
of cardboard around plant stems. In the early morning, lift the boards and
handpick or squish any bugs that spent the night under the boards.
5. Tachnid Flies: Attract tachnid flies by planting
sweet fennel, parsley, clover, dill, goldenrod, buckwheat, wild carrot and
amaranth around the garden. The flies are a great way to control squash bugs
organically because they lay their eggs on the backs of squash bugs where they
hatch, borrowing inside the garden pest.
Tachnid fly larvae produce more flies which will
eventually wipe out about 80% of the adult squash bug population. Leave
infected adults be so the eggs can hatch and continue the tachnid fly life cycle.
6. Remove
Garden
7. Floating Row Covers: Use these to protect young
plants. Once plants flower, the covers will have to be lifted for a few hours
each day to allow for pollination. Once plants begin steadily growing, remove
the floating row covers all together.
Controlling squash bugs organically is a 3 season process.
Begin in the fall by cleaning up the garden and check for and remove squash
bugs in all stages of life throughout the growing season.
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Reference: Rodale Organic Gardening (2001). Basics:Pests Volume 7. Rodale Inc.
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