Squash Bug Prevention For Next Year?

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NCPonyGirl Hillsborough, NC Oct 06, 2008

Hello,

I am an utter neophyte gardener who bought a gorgeous little horse farm in central North Carolina that happens to also have a huge garden (55 raised beds in a beautifully fenced area to keep the deer out). During this first summer here, we planted all of the standard newbie vegetables and flowers, some from seed, some purchased, etc.

By the time our squash plants started flowering, we realized that we had a squash bug problem after just a little research. They destroyed all squash, then pumpkins, them moved on to the melons in that order. We tried everything we read about - insecticidal soaps (trying to stay organic), then moved on to chemicals, all the while systematically picking them off and throwing them in buckets of water with soap on a daily basis. We had to give up after a week long vacation that sealed our doom as well as that of our pretty pumpkins we were hoping to grow for our son's school.

We have read that these bugs can winter over in our climate, so my question is - what can we do to get rid of these so we don't have the same problem next year? Please tell me there is something we can do . . .

Thank you!

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MaryMcP Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b) Oct 08, 2008

I lost a nice spaghetti squash and zucc to these dad blasted bugs. Did lots of research and what I learned was:

1. Plant the next crop in a different bed, new location.
2. Plant tansy (I have not been able to find the seeds)
3. Cover the stem of the squash plant where it comes out of the ground and up a few inches. I used 6" lengths of old panty hose/knee highs.

I was able to accomplish both 1 and 3 above and got some tromboncino and crook necks last season. Not sure how much was accomplished by the panty hose. It may all have been a result of planting much further from the last bed.

HTH. (I may have more tips at home but am at the office now.)

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RJ_Hythloday Norfolk, VA(Zone 8a) Oct 09, 2008

Theirs a few tips over here

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cornucop/msg1009504823532.html?15

I plan to companion plant radishes. I won't be putting any mulch around my cucurbits this year. But I will put down cardboard and lift it in the morning to trap and spray the little buggers. I got a couple cukes, no melon, no pumpkins, no zukes.

This message was edited Oct 9, 2008 4:28 AM

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glendalekid Tuscaloosa, AL(Zone 7b) Oct 10, 2008

While the plants are growing, check the underside of the leaves for eggs. I usually just tear off that section of the leaf and toss it into the garbage can. Also, if you spray the plants with water, the squash bugs will clamber up onto the top of the leaves -- easy to catch them then.
You'll need to check for new eggs and bugs every day. At first I was rather squeamish about squashing the squash bugs -- not any more. LOL.

Karen



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