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Squash Bug Problem?
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Posted: Aug/16/2008 11:44 AM PST
About 3 weeks ago my zucchini and crook neck squash started having what looked like a moldy leaf problem. My mom told me that a squash bug had gotten into my garden and that if I didn't pull all the plants out I would have a real problem next year with the same thing. So I pulled out all my zucchini and crook neck squash. Now this week, in a separate garden, I see it happening to my baby boo and blue moon pumpkins. I just can't bear to tear them out. I need pumpkins this year. Can anyone tell me what to do to stop it???? It always starts out with what looks like a few drops of ash on the leaf and then before you know it all the leaves are covered. I started clipping leaves per the advice of someone at the county fair that was working a gardening booth . . . Picture attached- thanks!! Attachments:  |
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Posted: Aug/16/2008 11:54 PM PST
"Home Gardener "If only a few plants are affected, it is most effective to hand pick and destroy squash bugs and eggs. Another option is to place boards or shingles on the ground next to the plants. At night the squash bugs will aggregate under the boards and can then be destroyed each morning. Using resistant varieties such as Butternut, Royal Acorn, or Sweet Cheese and maintaining a healthy plant through proper fertilization and watering are also important to limiting squash bug damage. It is also necessary to remove debris in and around the garden area that could possibly be used as shelter by the bugs. As stated above, by removing debris from the area, overwintering sites for the adults are reduced. Sevin is one of the few insecticides available to home gardeners. "Organic Control: There are few if any effective organic control options for squash bug. However, natural enemies of the squash bug include Tachinid fly, Trishopoda pennipes and Sceleonids, Eumicrosoma spp. These biological control options may prove useful. Sabadilla may provide some control and is organic certified." |
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Posted: Aug/31/2008 5:34 AM PST
I've got a garden that I only use for my winter squash. By mid summer, I can't even get in to water without tiptoeing around the vines. I've never even seen a squash bug, in the 10 years I've been doing this. I read about companion planting years ago, and I planted white icicle radishes in each hill. As well, I plant nasturtium in the hills each year. The radishes are now growing wild, and I don't need to replant seeds in the spring anymore. Rather, I weed out the extras. Just let them go to seed, and do their thing... I believe I got aphids this year, and although I got a nice yield, I will have to keep an eye out next year. I had a bush type butternut that I've never tried before, and it was doing very well, until it wilted, and died. I looked for borers/bugs, but found none. Perhaps I have a fungus? |
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