Hi, Rachel, Yeah, squash bugs stink. Sorry to hear about your outbreak. The following post from ATTRA is helpful:
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/squash_pest.html I'd suggest you check with your local Extension person to make sure it isn't a stink bug outbreak. If it is indeed squash bug, I'd suggest are cleaning your garden very well this fall and winter, and either tossing badly infested squash vines into a plastic bag and sending it to the dumpster (occasionally, that's more or less the best choice, especially when you can't burn), or putting them in a HOT compost pile (get an experienced composter to assist). Till (can mean hand dig, too, ie "double digging") the garden beds where you've been growing squash. Leave the soil for a week or two (to encourage predation), but then consider planting a winter cover crop such as cereal rye. Bare soil isn't normally a wise choice in terms of sound soil stewardship. When you clean up your garden, don't leave places for pests to overwinter. In the spring, try monitoring your garden carefully, 'scouting' for insects. We all need to be doing this, anyway. If you spot the eggs, tear them off. Some people like covering young plants with a fabric row cover such as Reemay. I've used this approach with some success, but it takes futzing to keep it from blowing away. It has to be removed when flowers appear, so beneficials can pollinate the crop. Plant an insectary border in your cg, to provide a place for adult forms of beneficials (also, to provide flowers and herbs - looks nice, too). Finally, be careful using insecticides, organic or otherwise. From my reading, sabadilla is the most effective choice BUT... squash bugs are notoriously hard to control and no spray, organic or otherwise, is guaranteed effective, especially after the bugs become adults. Good luck! Don B Charlotte NC _______________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
