For some gardeners, the challenge of eliminating common garden pest problems like a squash bug infestation can be tedious.
Squash bugs suck sap from the leaves, fruit, and vines of squash plants and other cucurbits. As a result, it is vital that you get rid of them as quickly as possible.
There are summer and winter squash varieties, including butternut, zucchini, marrow, and pumpkins. All types may need protection from this pest.
Here’s how to get rid of squash bugs naturally.
1. Trap Crops
Growing other plants that squash bugs like is one way of dealing with the problem. Sometimes called ‘sacrificial plants’, trap crops will lure the pests away from your main crops.
One such plant is the Blue Hubbard squash [1]. It will keep the bugs happy, keeping them away from your cash crops.
2. 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.
3. Soap Spray
This natural squash bug repellent involves using a spray bottle filled with water and some liquid soap. Dawn dish soap works great, but we use organic liquid soap when dealing with vegetables.
For this recipe, combine 2 tablespoons of liquid soap with a gallon of water. Additionally, adding a little vinegar can make this homemade repellent even more potent.
Spray the solution directly on the bugs and under the leaves where they may be hiding. Soapy water will kill squash bugs by suffocating them.
4. Coffee Grounds
A simple DIY organic squash bug control method is making use of coffee grounds.
Boil coffee grounds in water and let the solution cool before spraying it onto the bugs. This spray also repels cucumber beetles and other zucchini plant bugs.
You can also spread used coffee grounds around the base of your plants to add nutrients to the soil.
5. Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that is effective against attacks of many pests including squash beetles.
To use neem oil on squash bugs, combine two tablespoons of the oil with one tablespoon of liquid soap and a gallon of water.
Spray frequently from the spring onwards to kill squash bugs. You can also use it to get rid of vine borers and prevent powdery mildew on plants.
6. Hand Pick
Hand-picking is not a suitable choice for large-scale crop growers. However, for individual backyard gardeners, this is an effective home remedy to get rid of squash bugs organically.
Do this daily to control the bugs. Some gardeners even suggest using duct tape or other sticky traps to remove the pests.
7. Diatomaceous Earth
Using DE is a very successful natural means of pest control. When the bugs come into contact with it, they become dehydrated and later die. The sharpness of the powder will also cut through the soft bodies of the squash bug larvae.
To use diatomaceous earth to kill squash bugs, sprinkle it on the soil around affected plants and on the leaves. Alternatively, make a homemade spray for squash bugs by combining one part DE with four parts water. Shake well and use it to spray the critters.
Use food-grade DE to get rid of squash bugs in the house. However, for outdoor use, the regular grade is fine but you’ll need a fresh application after it rains.
8. Remove Eggs
Removal of the eggs will prevent further infestation. You can identify them as clusters of very small brown oval-shaped eggs nestling under the leaves of the plants.
Scrape them off and crush them.
9. Row Covers
Another simple method to keep squash bugs away is to plant in rows and protect the young plants with row covers. These covers also provide protection from birds, frosts, and other elements of the weather.
Moreover, variations can be bought online or in local garden stores. However, you can also have them homemade from fine mesh or other suitable lightweight fabrics to keep bugs off your squash plants.
10. Garlic Spray
Garlic will kill squash bugs and other bad bugs in your garden. To make a homemade garlic spray for squash bugs, add 4 crushed garlic to 2 tablespoons of mineral oil.
Let the mixture sit for at least 24 hours. Afterward, strain out the particles and add the garlic oil to a pint of water and one teaspoon of liquid soap.
Please note that this solution is now in its concentrated form which is very potent. Therefore, you’ll have to dilute it.
When ready to use, take 2 tablespoons of the concentrated solution and add to a pint of water. Shake well and spray the bugs and affected plants.
11. Clean Up
Pruning plants and keeping the garden clean will deter the development of many pests. Also, it is best to avoid mulch as it gives adult squash bugs a place to overwinter.
12. Repellent Plants
A great repellent plant to deal with these pests is marigolds. Moreover, the flowers add a beautiful splash of color to the garden. Marigolds planted near your crops will also deter many other harmful insects.
Apart from marigolds, there are several other companion plants that repel squash bugs. These include nasturtiums, radishes, catnip, dill, oregano, lemon balm, and petunias.
13. Beneficial Insects
Planting marigolds not only repels pumpkin bugs but the flowers also attract the Tachinid Fly. This small helpful insect lays its eggs on the pests and, after hatching out, burrows into the squash bug nymphs and devours them.
Damsel bugs and ground beetles also prey upon squash bug eggs and other stages of the pest.
14. Kaolin Clay
This is an entirely organic mineral substance. However, it does not kill squash beetles outright.
The clay works by disrupting the life cycle of the pests by preventing them from feeding. As a result, they’ll slowly die off.
15. Bug Buster-O
Buster-O is a commercially available organic pesticide containing pyrethrins that you can spray directly onto the critters, getting rid of them permanently. Moreover, this squash bug killer is safe to use on plants grown organically.
Takeaway
If you notice gray, white, or yellow bugs on your squash vegetable like the one in our featured picture, it’s most likely the squash pest discussed in this article.
While squash is the main host plant for these bugs, they also feed on tomatoes and melons and cantaloupes.
Protecting your crop, controlling the life cycle of harmful bugs, and eliminating them from the garden and around the house can be achieved using home remedies and entirely organic methods.
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