Squash bugs are destructive self-feeder that attack fellow member of the cucurbit ( gourd or squash ) family , especially pumpkins and squeeze . The louse breastfeed on the underside of the foliage , induce leaves to droop and finally appear ignominious or dry out out .
grown squash racquets germ are 5/8 - column inch retentive and about ¼-inch wide-eyed , gray to nigrify with brown and orangish stripes on the stomach . Young nymphs are about half as longsighted with a green abdomen and red legs and head word that turn black with age . The football - shaped eggs are brownish - loss in colour and 1/16 - inch long .
Both adult and nymphs suck nutrients from leaves , causing wilting . Seedlings , newly transplanting plants , and flowering plants are the most vulnerable . Unless severely damaged , plant unremarkably recover once the squash bug population decline .
Controlling Squash Bugs
Gardeners should see for squash rackets germ eggs and for wilting . Since wilt can be triggered by a number of problems , it ’s important to ensure squash microbe are the crusade before taking activity . Pictures on the websites list below can avail you identify the bugs .
For just a few plants the honorable controller is to handpick and put down the squash bugs and the bollock . you may also place board on the priming next to the plants and destroy the hemipteran that accumulate on the boards during the night .
To deoxidise overwintering sites for the adult squash bug , remove garden debris in the fall and till the garden . Vigorous works are less potential to attract squash bugs , so give your plants plenty of water and nutrient . Try grow resistant kind such as butternut or regal acorn squash .
Rotate crop plant so they do n’t occupy the same spot in the garden every year , using a three - year rotation bike . If you plant crops at dissimilar time at least one harvest is likely to avoid the squash bugs .
you may also employ float run-in covers to make a physical roadblock between the plant and the hemipterous insect ; just be certain to remove or open up up the covers when the plants bloom so they can get pollenate .
Some gardeners have found that planting dill weed , catnip , lemon balm , or Nasturtium near squeeze plant deter the squash bugs . fellow plant that may help oneself squelch grow stronger , making them less vulnerable to squash bug and other pests , include bean , corn , sight , and icicle radishes .
Photo found on Flickr , courtesy ofILoveButter .
Want to Learn More About Keeping Squash Bugs Out of the Garden? For More Information:
The more you jazz about any flora pest the well capable you will be to see to it it . To learn more about the life cycle and control of squash glitch , stop out these websites .
Squash Bug – a peachy resourcefulness from Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences .
University of Kentucky can educate you over theSquash Vine Borer and Squash Bug .
