0
points
How do you deter squash bugs naturally?

Squash    Frankfort, NY

Do you know of any ways to deter squash bugs? I regularly scout for eggs under the leaves and destroy them, but always seem to be over-run by them anyways. Any good companion plants or natural treatments that will repel them?


Posted by: Brick House Acres (9 points) Brick House Acres
Posted: April 17, 2013




Answers

2
points
Try going out in the early evening, use a water hose placed at the base of the plant so it it isn't splashing on leaves and turn it on for a gentle stream of water. Squash bugs will run up the plant to escape the water and you can pick them off by hand and dispose of them in a bucket of soapy water or just crush them with great vigor and delight. There are beneficials that will help with this problem - there are flies that can parasitize them and other predatory insects. Remember that even if parasitized, the squash bug is going to feed until it dies and parasitism sometimes takes place later in the growing season. I find it really helps to be able to identify "the good guys" so I don't intervene if they are present. Make sure after your squash is done bearing, you dispose of the vines and fruit and clean up well as the squash bugs will keep feeding on the plant debris. And rotate, rotate, rotate your crops.


Posted by: Susan League, UF/IFAS Sumter Program Assistant (1 point) Susan League, UF/IFAS Sumter Program Assistant
Posted: April 21, 2013




1
point
Recommended companion plants for reducing squash bug numbers include catnip and tansy. Source: Good Neighbors: Companion Planting for Gardeners by Anna Carr. I like this book because it includes info on which plant pairings and benefits are backed by research along with those that are not yet verified. The above recommendations are research backed. Good luck!


Posted by: Joan Allen (6 points) Joan Allen
Posted: April 17, 2013


Earthly Remedies by Erin commented,
Be careful with tansy at it spreads and sends shoots up everywhere so you may not want it right in your garden. I have it planted around the outside of my garden and I am not convinced that it helps. Also suppose to deter other things as well.
almost 11 years ago.

Brick House Acres commented,
Thanks. Catnip sounds like a good suggestion. Hopefully it will repel the squash bugs before the cats find it!!!
almost 11 years ago.



0
points
You can use soapy water but do it at night time so you don't burn your plants. Also you can cover them with cloth but you will have to take it off before it flowers. Sometimes that helps.


Posted by: Earthly Remedies by Erin (1 point) Earthly Remedies by Erin
Posted: April 18, 2013


Joan Allen commented,
Sorry, I did not intend for soapy water to be applied to the plants! In this case it is recommended to drop the insects into soapy water to kill them as an alternative to crushing them.

almost 11 years ago.

Brick House Acres commented,
Thanks for the clarification!

almost 11 years ago.



0
points
Companion planting squash plants, cucumbers etc (cucurbits) with radish is great for suppressing cucumber beetles. More than likely you would not need any pest sprays.



Posted by: Gillie Brook Farm (1 point) Gillie Brook Farm
Posted: April 20, 2013




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