We just returned from an extended holiday to find these nasty beasts taking over our yellow crookneck squash plants! Our neighbors have zucchini plants that have also been destroyed! Right or wrong, I have removed the leaves from the plants with eggs and disposed of them (NOT IN COMPOST), and picked all of the squash bugs and destroyed them by "the squashing method" - with gloves - gross! I have also sprayed with Neem Oil 2 days in a row (after bees are out to encourage pollination) - helping but not solving problem completely. It may be too late! Saw another on my cucumber plant this morning! Have also read about them infecting tomatoes and cucs... Any advice greatly appreciated!
More info on this dreadful pest: Squash Borer
Just found this...
ReplyDeleteInsecticidal soap is effective against adult squash bugs, but NOT against eggs, so you must still crush those by hand. Also, household soap combined with mineral oil and minced garlic is reported to be effective by the Henry Doubleday Research Association in England. Its formula is 3 ounces of chopped garlic, soaked in 2 teaspoons of mineral oil for 24 hours, added to a pint of water with 1⁄4 ounce of soap. Strain before using.