Learn about squash bugs’ damage, with tips for preventing and controlling it

What is a squash bug?

Squash bugs are brown or gray in color and flat back with black legs. The edges and bottom of the abdomen have orange stripes, are able to fly, move quickly and are often in groups below the foliage.

Squash bugs particularly attack squash, hence the name; it can also attack other crops in the squash family such as cucumber, melon and watermelon.

These insects spend their winter under wilted leaves, vines, under baseboards and even in buildings. They fly into gardens to mate as soon as the breeding season begins, and they lay eggs on the undersides of the leaves.

What is the harm of these insects to plants?

These insects inject the toxin into the plant and suck the juice from it with their sharp mouthparts. This causes yellow spots that eventually turn brown. The leaves will wilt because the infection prevents nutrients and water from getting to the leaves, and then they dry out and die. The leaves also sometimes have torn holes. It can eventually destroy the plant.

How to prevent these insects?

• Preparation for prevention is in the fall. Make sure to burn down old squash fields to rid your farm of any potential breeding stashes.
• Avoid having panels and straw in the garden because they attract insects.
• Cover your field until the pollination begins.
• You can delay planting squash after spring in the first months of summer.
• Check the crop periodically, especially under the leaves of the plant.

How do I get rid of this harmful insect?

Early detection of the presence of these insects is of utmost importance as you discover them and get rid of them before they grow and multiply and cause a disaster! Here are some tips to get rid of this insect:

• periodically inspect the field for it; in case you find it, do not try to crush it because it smells bad; just bring a small bowl of soapy water and leave it until it dies, then throw it away.
• Weekly inspect the leaves of the plants for eggs that hatch within ten days. When you find them, scrape them off the leaves.
• Try to catch it by placing a wooden board so that at night they will gather around it; and in the morning get rid of it.
• Use an insecticide after consulting a specialist on the appropriate quality and manner of use.

Squash bugs can be a bane to your crop! If it is invaded a lot, it is very difficult to eliminate and can cause a lot of havoc. In this case, you need a specialized team. At Storm, we can address the issue and find the appropriate solution to get rid of it in a safe way and from any kind of insects or pests that bother you. We have a specialized team capable of solving all these problems. A specialized team will come to you and do a comprehensive examination; they will develop a science-backed treatment plan that best meets your needs.