Sasha CampbellControlling common garden pests, like squash bugs, can be frustrating for many gardeners.
Squash bugs suck sap from the leaves, stems, vines, and young fruits of squash, pumpkins, and other cucurbits.
Their feeding can cause yellow spots, wilting, and plant decline. As a result, controlling them early is important before populations grow and damage plants.
All types of summer and winter squash, such as butternut, zucchini, marrow, and pumpkin, may require protection from this pest.
How to Get Rid of Squash Bugs Naturally
Below are some natural remedies and organic control methods you can try.
1. Hose Them
A simple home remedy to stop or prevent squash bugs from damaging crops is to spray them off with a strong jet of water. However, be careful not to harm your plants in the process.
2. Soap Spray
This natural squash bug repellent involves using a spray bottle filled with water and a small amount of liquid soap.
Combine two tablespoons of mild liquid soap with a gallon of water. Spray the solution directly on the bugs.
Insecticidal soap damages the bugs’ outer protective layer, causing them to dehydrate and die. Avoid spraying during hot, sunny periods, as soap sprays may burn plant leaves.
3. Aluminum Foil Mulch
Reflective mulches, such as aluminum foil, can help confuse and deter squash bugs and other harmful insects.
To use this method, place strips of aluminum foil or reflective mulch around the base of your squash plants. The reflected sunlight may discourage pests from settling on the plants.
This DIY organic squash bug control method can also help repel whiteflies, aphids, and cucumber beetles.
4. Neem Oil
Neem oil is used as a natural pesticide. It is effective against many garden pests, including squash bugs.
However, it is generally more effective against young nymphs than adult squash bugs.
To use neem oil on squash bugs, mix 2 tablespoons of oil with 1 tablespoon of liquid soap and 1 gallon of water.
Spray regularly from spring onward to help control squash bug nymphs and discourage infestations. It can also be used to control vine borers and prevent powdery mildew on plants.
5. Pick Them Off
Picking off the bugs may not be a suitable control method for large farms. However, this can be an effective home remedy for small backyard gardens to get rid of squash bugs organically.
Do this daily to help control the bugs. You can also wrap a piece of duct tape (sticky side out) around your hand to help remove clusters of squash bug eggs and young nymphs.
6. Trap Crops
Growing trap crops nearby or between your garden plants is an effective way to address the problem.
Trap crops, also called “sacrificial plants,” draw pests away from your main crops. This helps shield your main crops from damage.
One such plant is the blue Hubbard squash [1]. The bugs prefer this variety over others.
7. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is effective against squash bug nymphs. The powder damages the insects’ protective outer coating, causing them to dehydrate and die.
To use, sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the plants’ leaves and in the surrounding soil.
Apply food-grade diatomaceous earth when plants are dry, and reapply after rain or watering.
8. Remove Eggs
Removing the eggs will prevent further infestations if you continue to remove them.
You can identify them as small clusters of copper-colored, slightly oval, shiny eggs [2]. You’ll often find them on the undersides and stems of leaves.
Scrape them off and crush them, or drop them into a bowl of soapy water.
9. Row Covers
Another simple method to keep squash bugs away is to protect your garden plants with floating row covers. These also protect against birds and other pests.
Floating row covers can be purchased online or at local garden stores. However, you can also have them made from fine mesh or other suitable lightweight fabrics to keep bugs off your squash plants.
10. Garlic Spray
Garlic may help repel squash bugs and other garden pests. To make a homemade garlic spray for squash bugs, add four crushed garlic cloves to two tablespoons of mineral oil.
Let the mixture sit for at least 24 hours. Afterward, strain out the particles, then add the garlic oil to a pint of water with one teaspoon of liquid soap.
Please note that this solution is now in its concentrated form, which is very potent. Therefore, you will have to dilute it.
When ready to use, take two tablespoons of the concentrated solution and add it to a pint of water. Shake well and spray the bugs and plants.
11. Clean Up
Pruning plants and keeping your vegetable garden clean will help deter many pests.
Additionally, avoid heavy mulch around squash plants during the growing season, as it can provide hiding places for adult squash bugs.
12. Repellent Plants
Some gardeners use companion plants such as marigolds, nasturtiums, dill, and catnip to help deter squash bugs and other garden pests. Marigolds planted near your crops can also deter many other harmful insects.
13. Natural Predators
Planting marigolds nearby can also attract the tachinid fly and other insect predators. Tachinid flies are among the most beneficial natural enemies of squash bugs.
Damsel bugs and ground beetles may also prey on squash bug eggs and other stages of the pest.
14. Kaolin Clay
You can use this natural, soft white clay against squash bugs. However, it does not kill them; rather, it deters them.
Kaolin clay may also help deter grasshoppers, cucumber beetles, and other garden pests.
15. Wooden Boards or Cardboard Traps
Squash bugs often hide under boards, cardboard, shingles, or other flat surfaces during the night.
So, place wooden boards or pieces of cardboard near your squash plants in the evening. Check underneath them early in the morning and remove any bugs that may be hiding there.
Drop the bugs into a container of soapy water to kill them.
16. Mint Spray
Mint has a strong scent that may help deter squash bugs and other garden pests.
To make a homemade mint spray, steep a handful of fresh mint leaves in hot water for several hours.
Strain the liquid and pour it into a spray bottle. You can also add a few drops of liquid soap to help it stick to the leaves.
Spray the mixture on and around your squash plants every few days and after rainfall.
17. Monterey Bug Buster-O
Monterey Buster-O is a commercially available, OMRI-listed pyrethrin pesticide. It can be sprayed directly onto the critters, killing them on contact.
This squash bug killer is safe to use on plants grown organically. Avoid spraying pyrethrin products when pollinators are active.
FAQ
Will Epsom Salt work?
Some gardeners report success using Epsom salt sprays as a homemade deterrent. However, research supporting this method is limited.
Does vinegar kill squash bugs?
Some gardeners use diluted vinegar sprays around garden areas as a repellent, but vinegar may damage plants if sprayed directly on foliage.
Also, evidence that vinegar kills squash bugs is weak.
Do coffee grounds get rid of squash bugs?
Some gardeners use coffee-based sprays as a homemade deterrent. However, there is little strong evidence that coffee grounds or coffee sprays reliably repel squash bugs.
Takeaway
Adult squash bugs are usually grayish-brown to dark brown with flattened backs, while young nymphs are pale gray or greenish with dark legs. If you spot bugs like these on your squash or other crops, it’s probably the squash bug discussed in this article.
While squash and pumpkins are the primary host plants for these bugs, they also target melons and cantaloupes.
Home remedies and natural methods can eliminate them from the garden and around the house.
Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves for bronze-colored egg clusters and young nymphs. Catching infestations early makes natural control methods much more effective.
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