Squash bugs can be the bane of a gardener’s existence! They are most commonly found on squash plants such as zucchini, winter squash, and pumpkins, but they may also affect other crops like cucumbers, cantaloupe, and watermelon.
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How to identify squash bugs
Squash bugs are often mistaken for stink bugs, as they are similar in appearance, and both have a foul odor when squashed. However, stink bugs are wider and rounder than squash bugs. The adult squash bug is a flat-backed insect that’s fairly large (over 1/2-inch long). They are usually dark gray to dark brown. The edges and undersides of the abdomen have orange stripes. They are able to fly, but they often simply walk around on plants. Young squash bugs, or nymphs, may be gray or light brown and have black legs. They move quickly and often congregate in groups on the undersides of leaves.
Squash bug damage
Squash bugs attack young tender plants and seedlings, causing them to wilt and die. Interestingly, they cause little damage to plants in late summer and fall. These bugs suck the sap out of leaves with their piercing-sucking mouthparts, causing yellow spots that eventually turn brown.
How to control squash bugs
Squash bugs are very difficult to manage once their numbers get out of control and can cause a lot of havoc. However, they cause little damage to plants in late summer and fall. If you are experiencing squash bug problems in your garden, here are some tips on how we control, and get rid of them in The Tilted Whale Gardens.
Early detection is critical! You want to catch squash bugs before they grow into adults, or they become very difficult to get rid of completely.
Pick bugs off the plant. Fill a bucket with water and liquid dish soap and flick bugs into soapy water. Once the bugs are in the water, they will drown. Then, spray plants and leaves with Neem Oil Spray. Be sure to spray under the leaves as that is where they lay their eggs. During early summer, you should check your plants daily. Be sure to rotate your crops every year to reduce the likelihood of squash bugs returning to the same area.
Companion planting can be useful in repelling squash bugs. Try planting nasturtium (available from The Tilted Whale) around plants that are commonly affected by squash bugs. #thetiltedwhalegardens
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