the garden squash bug invasion

[slacker361]

squash bug invasion

[Jerrymac]

When we had a garden we would spray those bugs everyday with water and dish washing detergent.

[AllenF]

We put up with them every year.  I have not used Seven in years and they are everywhere.   I spray oil whenever I can but it don't work when it rains every afternoon.  We plant new rows every 3 to 4 weeks and keep them separated just to keep up with those boogers.  It's just part of the game.

[iddee]

I sprinkle my plants with white powdered lime, so I don't have those things. Haven't seen one this year.

[AllenF]

What does the lime do besides raise the PH?   You put in all over the plants and what about when it rains every afternoon?   I may try it this weekend.

[Scadsobees]

I've seen those little guys, but they never have caused any problem for me, as annoying as they are.

What I have to deal with are the EVIL SQUASH VINE BORERS!!  AAARRRGHHH!!!

Do a google image search, they are little moths that look like wasps, hard to spot, they only lay less than 5-10 eggs on a plant but those dirty little buggers get right down in that stem by the root and tear it up.  The whole plant will die even though the leaves are almost intact.  The leaves will start wilting and turn yellow and then die, over the course of about a week.

Hmm....check those stems!!  You might be suprised to see some "maggot" type things in the stems.

You can limit them by putting stuff(poison, lime, diatomatious earth,etc) on the stems where they lay the eggs, carefully cutting the stems open and impaling the worm, and also piling dirt on the damaged stems.

That's my experience, anyway, for what it is worth.

Rick

[iddee]

I lightly cover the plants with it. It normally takes more than one rain to remove it. It repels many kinds of insects, while raising the PH of the soil.