If you have pumpkins or winter and summer squash in your garden, there is a chance that squash bugs will find their ways into your planter beds. Squash bugs are pests that can wreak havoc on your vegetables, especially winter squash and pumpkin. Their attacks are not limited to gourds, they also target cucumbers and melons. You can keep your vegetables safe from squash bugs if you prepare early.
When they feed, squash bugs pierce the tissue of the vegetable and drain the nutrients of the plant. They feast on vines, leaves, and fruit. Because the pierce plants in many places, it leads to the collapse of leaves and vines as they consume the sap inside.
Their saliva also contains bacteria that are harmful to plants. The bacteria can cause the affected leaves to wilt and die. Additionally, adult squash bugs and nymphs sometimes carry the bacteria that cause the yellow vine disease.
Regularly inspect leaves. If you find eggs, remove them immediately.
Use companion planting strategies. Pairing squash plants with another crop can keep the bugs away from your vegetables without introducing chemicals.
Squash bugs gather under objects like tarps and boards. You can set these objects as bait in your garden, place them close to crops you want to protect. Remove them once they congregate under these objects.
Mulch provides a hiding place for the squash bugs, especially during the colder months. Consider removing it and reduce the likelihood of an invasion next season.
Insecticides can also be effective, check with a pest control professional or your local garden center for guidance on formulas and application procedures. The advantage of insecticides is that they can also control other pests.
Are you seeking a permanent way to rid of squash bugs in your garden? Consult a professional pest control company for comprehensive and lasting solutions in addition to these DIY options.
Susan Shuxian Hu has been a dedicated realtor serving in Silicon Valley since 2010. With great passion, outstanding negotiation skills and due diligence, she has helped many buyers and sellers in their real estate needs. Living in West San Jose for more than 14 years, she has broad knowledge in Cupertino, West San Jose, Los Altos and Saratoga. She has enormous patience working with buyers and never tired of showing all possible properties that may fit client’s needs. Clients appreciate her best service to their satisfaction. She specialized in luxurious real estate purchase in Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga and Palo Alto. She also helped friend and past client’s referral working in San Francisco, Foster City and far reached Bay Area.
Susan Shuxian Hu was graduated in East China Normal University in Shanghai with bachelor and master degrees in Bio science. She came to US in 1989 and earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics in Texas A&M University in 1996. After one year of postdoc in Southern Florida University in Tampa, she moved back to Orlando with her family and started working in Lucent Technologies. In 2002, Susan moved to California, Silicon Valley joined a start-up company. Since then she worked in high tech Corporation till 2009. Driven by her dream job pursuing, she found her passion working in sales by helping people in real estate after one year of education in De Anza business and real estate law study. Since then, she has been serving many people in Bay Area for their real estate needs.
With bilingual advantage, she has been actively working with Chinese immigrants as well as local engineers and residents. With rich high tech background and connection with Chinese community, Susan has served in luxurious real estate in last a couple of years.