How to Squash a Squash Bug

June 16th, 2009 Posted in Ornamental & Lawn Pests





You may be thinking that squash bugs cannot be controlled. They’re too elusive and shy to be captured, or their numbers are too many for you to squash. Well, don’t worry. While these hungry bugs can be a real problem for your plant, there are a few tricks and practices that I’ve compiled here that can help you fight these squash killers.


Appearance

Squash bugs are sometimes mistaken for stink bugs. While they do look similar and also give off a disgusting odor when crushed or disturbed, squash bugs only eat plants of the curcurbits (Vine crops, but prefer squash and pumpkin) family.

Eggs of the squash bug are laid on the underside of leaves in the midsummer. They are orange-brown in color, and they normally lay the eggs in a V pattern and take 1-2 weeks to hatch.

Adult Squash Bugs:

  • Have wings

  • Flat back

  • Gray and black in color

  • Orange and brown strips on abdomen

  • 5/8 inch long and 1/3 as wide





Young Squash Bugs:

  • Red Heads

  • Red legs

  • Green abdomens

  • 3/16 to 1/2 inch in length

  • Start turning black as they age



Plant Damage

Before you notice any major damage in your vine plants, you might notice small yellow specks on the leaves that will then change to brown. This is caused by the squash bug sucking out all the vital nutrients from the plant leaves, leaving the plant to slowly starve.

Speckled leaves will eventually, if left untreated, wilt and then turn black and dry out. If you have a small plant and the damage has progressed to the wilting stage, it may not recover. If it is a larger plant, they can handle more pressure and may survive with many affected leaves.



Caution!

The effects of squash bugs can closely resemble the affects of bacteria wilt which is spread by the striped cucumber beetle . Bacteria wilt is disastrous for your plants, and there is no cure once your plant is infected.

Proper identification of the bug before treatment is crucial for knowing which problem you have.


Squash bugs are also responsible for a newly recognized disease in curcurbit plants, Yellow Vine Decline. The bacteria that causes this disease is passed by the squash bug while he eats. This bacteria can cause significant fruit loss; it’s especially critical to make sure the exposure to squash bugs does not affect young plants, seedlings, new transplants, and flowering plants – these are the most susceptible to the damages made by squash bugs. Cases have been reported in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kentucky and also an unconfirmed case in Ohio. Neighboring states should be especially aware of this risk.

Yellow Vine Decline has similar symptoms to bacteria wilt, but this bacteria works faster. Plants can turn yellow and die overnight.





7 Tips for Eliminating and Controlling Squash Bugs

  1. Early detection of squash bugs is the most effective way to manage a squash bug problem. As leaves begin to wilt, check for squash bugs and eggs underneath the leaves. It is easier to kill eggs and young squash bugs because of the tendency of adults to hide.

  2. Individually collect and kill the squash bugs and their eggs and destroy them if there is only a small number.

  3. Put down a board or some shingles around the plant for large numbers of squash bugs. The squash bugs will gather under the boards at night for shelter. Using this method, a large number of squash bugs can be killed every morning until the problem is under control. Be sure to clear away any other pieces of debris where the squash bugs might hide.

  4. Use an insecticide along with the above method to ensure a result. Make sure, if you are spraying during blooming, to spray in the early morning or evening so the insecticide does not affect honeybees or other pollinators.

  5. Keep vines covered until blossoming begins – an easy way prevent these harmful pests. Since there is only one generation of squash bugs per year, the damage can be incredibly reduced.

  6. Dispose of all debris and extra leaves over the winter months. This gets rid of any spaces where the squash bug can be protected and stay alive throughout the winter. You can either burn plant debris or mix remnants into the soil.

  7. Buy varieties of pumpkin and squash that are resistant to squash bugs. This is an easy solution and relieves the worry and burden on home gardeners.




How to get Rid of Squash Bugs naturally?

For the organic gardener, there is now safe and effective organic pesticides called EcoSMART. EcoSMART uses plant oils to naturally fight plant killers like the squash bug. Not only is it organic, it is also safe to use around pets and children. So, fear no more, you can still stay organic and fight these extremely pesky bugs.


Christine Hellberg

  1. 67 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!

  2. By sandra lash on Jun 28, 2009

    I want to stomp out squash bugs

  3. By tim swiercinsky on Jul 3, 2009

    I just found my first two squash bugs and one leaf with 2 V shaped sets of eggs this morning. I squashed the bugs and used my thumbnail to remove the eggs (which were also rubbed out).

  4. By Jennifer on Jul 3, 2009

    squash bugs are evil. i just found them in my plants, used soapy water to kill them.

  5. By Dinah Blackmon on Jul 5, 2009

    Thank you for the time you have taken to help others like myself. I started my two garden boxes last year and am really enjoying the benifits. But after seeing the my plants come up and look so good, the squash bugs arrived, who knows from where they came, and now this year they appears to be back. I thought I cleaned the dead plants from last year, added peat and more garden soil and had done all I could but new soil didn’t help. I have tried spraying with Sevin but I don’t another way to get rid of the bugs.
    Is it possible I have two different issues going at the same time? The bugs are back, but we have had a lot of rain and while thats always good could I have another problem? the leaves of the squash plant also look like spotty light grey I have removed the leaves that look the worst but what else can I do?

  6. By Dinah Blackmon on Jul 5, 2009

    Thank you for the time you have taken to help others like myself. I started my two garden boxes last year and am really enjoying the benifits. But after seeing the my plants come up and look so good, the squash bugs arrived. I thought that cleaning the dead plants from last year and added peat and more garden soil and had done all I could but I don’t think the new soil has helped. I have tried spraying with Sevin but I don’t know of another spray to get rid of the bugs.
    Is it possible I have two different issues going at the same time? The bugs are back, but we have had a lot of rain and while thats always good could I have another problem? the leaves of the squash plant also look like spotty light grey I have removed the leaves that look the worst but what else can I do?

  7. By Dinah Blackmon on Jul 5, 2009

    Thank you for the time you have taken to help others like myself. I started my two garden boxes last year and am really enjoying the benifits. But after seeing the my plants come up and look so good, the squash bugs arrived. I thought that cleaning the dead plants from last year and added peat and more garden soil and had done all I could but I don’t think the new soil has helped. I have tried spraying with Sevin but I don’t know of another spray to get rid of the bugs.
    Is it possible I have two different issues going at the same time? The bugs are back, but we have had a lot of rain in June, could I have another problem? the leaves of the squash plant also look like spotty light grey I have removed the leaves that look the worst but what else can I do?

  8. By Dinah Blackmon on Jul 5, 2009

    Sorry I was trying to edit my comments Oops!

  9. By Valerie on Jul 7, 2009

    I had squash bugs that killed my cucumber plants in my small garden last year. Now they’re back! Thanks for the tips! I will see if I can get rid of them before they get all my plants. Is it possible for the newer growth and new cucumbers (around 1-2 inches long) to become wilted because of the damage from the bugs or do I have more than 1 problem?

  10. By Josie on Jul 8, 2009

    This is the first year I have dealt with squash bugs, and they eating my zucchini before they reach maturity. I was exited to go out and pick my first zucch’s and they were all mushy and gross. I do not use pesticides in my garden and refuse to use anything (the rest of my family swears by 7)to get rid of them, except for all natural remedy’s. I am hoping I finally found the magic ticket!

  11. By Nannette Kendall on Jul 8, 2009

    I appreciate the info. The squash bugs seem to have come early. I have only harvested 3 zucchinis this year.

  12. By Patti Damico on Jul 11, 2009

    I want to get a head start on getting rid of these nasty guys in my garden. This week I have noticed the damaged and wilting leaves, but have not seen one of the bugs or eggs yet. But I know they are there because of the damage of my summer squash and Zucchini plants!

  13. By Dee Kysor on Jul 11, 2009

    This sounds like a great idea. I have a terrible problem with squash bugs this year and would love to try the product. I am committed to my gardening and have been gardening organically for several years now. I miss my squash and look forward to trying your product.

  14. By Brenda Schriber on Jul 13, 2009

    I HATE these things!! Our plants do WONDERFUL they are beautiful.. (my zuccini plants, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers) then around july and august they are brown and rotted. This makes us crazy…being as we work so hard to grow the plants and get rid of the bugs. I feel there is hardly any solutions to our problems we become infested no matter what. Along with that we get powdery mildew disease. I have tried all the strategies…PLEASE HELP!!! If this works I am forever your loyal customer!

    Brenda
    (810)658-2048

  15. By Casey Zolezzi on Jul 14, 2009

    I was so excited about my zucchini plants because they looked like they were going to burst, but then they started to wilt and even with extra watering, they became yellow and mushy eventually laying on the ground to die. I started to see the eggs all over my crook neck yellow squash plants and need to do something now!!

  16. By Leslie McColgin on Jul 14, 2009

    I would love to try this product.
    We have a first year garden and I’m having
    lots of trouble with the squash and zucchini despite doing as much handpicking of the bugs as I can.

  17. By beki huffman on Jul 14, 2009

    thanks for the great info. I am trying to fight off the squash bug now. I will make sure and get the variety of squash and melon that is resistant to them, next season. First year gardening, didn’t know as much!

  18. By mandy bergerson on Jul 15, 2009

    I am a new gardener in southwestern Idaho and have had such a problem with squash bugs. I have tried to keep up with hand picking and squishing them and also rubbing out the eggs that I find, but despite my best efforts, last week my pumpkin and patty pan squash plants suddenly turned wilty and yellow and then they died. I was not able to find any organic alternatives to chemical pesticides locally to help me. So I have been searching online for help. Will your product help me? I would love to try it and find out if it will save my remaining plants.

  19. By mike belles on Jul 15, 2009

    I’ve dealt with squash bugs for years and had very limited success in controlling them with anything but manual removal. And the bugs we have seem to be capable of destroying plants in a very short time if not watched closely. They are extremely hardy little devils and a would give a part of my kingdom for their destruction.

  20. By J Irish on Jul 15, 2009

    Thank you for the insight into squash bugs. We have started a garden again this year and noticed the leaves as you described. This is my son’s first experience with gardening and he is exited to actually eat what we planted. We want it to be a great experience for him.

    I can use this as an education and for saving our harvest. We have many squash, cucumber, and pumpkin plants. Thanks, again.

  21. By Lisa Crist on Jul 17, 2009

    I have been gardening organically for almost 20 years. Some pests & diseases are faily easy to control, but some, like the devilish squash bug, are almost impossible to get rid of organiclly. I’ve found some natural stuff that works on the eggs and newly hatched young, but nothing natural or organic, especially OMRI certified, that will kill the adults. If I had a nickle for every squash bug I’ve squashed, I’d be a very wealthy woman. If your stuff works, then you will have made me the happiest woman in the world. I will sing your praises to every gardener I know!! I’ve already lost 1 pumpkin & 1 winter squash plant and I would like to save the others. Sincerely & eagerly,
    Lisa :)

  22. By Joan on Jul 20, 2009

    I grew zukes and yel squash for the 1st time last year, and became introduced to these nasty bugs! This year I have checked my zukes/squash diligently, and yet, I still lost a squash plant.(this loss may be due to a vine borer) Daily, I hunt and squish these squash bugs, and check the leaf undersides for their eggs, which I scrape off w/a sharp stick. If the eggs hatch, you will have loads of baby nymphs, which are easy to squash by hand, smashing a whole leaf-full at a time. What fun! Happy hunting!

  23. By Melanie on Jul 20, 2009

    I am a newbie gardner (first year) and found these ugly bugs all over our pumpkins and squash! YUCK! Didn’t know what they were until talking with a neighbor. SInce then, I have been online trying to figure what to do to save my little garden…but it seems like an up hill battle.
    Thanks to your site, I am going out right now to check for eggs and to drown the adults…

    THanks again, and i would love to try your product!

  24. By Kelsie on Jul 22, 2009

    we lost all our squash plants to squash bugs last year. this year we’ve stayed on top of them. i know it’s tedious (being 8 months pregnant and having to bend and stoop), but the best way to control them is to pick them off everyday. i have about 24 plants this year and so far, they’re doing great. and what’s even better, chickens LOVE squash bugs. so after i’ve filled my little bucket with them, i dump them in with my chickens! it’s awesome revenge on these little buggers.

  25. By Kendall Payne on Jul 22, 2009

    We had problems with these bugs last year, but we didn’t know what to do. After reading your info, I am excited to go and attack these pests. My kids know what the bugs look like, so they will be helpful in finding and destroying these bugs.

  26. By tris on Jul 22, 2009

    just found squash bug eggs and one large adult…i killed them all without any remorse. i’d like a better solution than just tediously looking over each leaf every day. a spray would be nice…if it works. i’ll try the shingle/wood thing and see what happens.

  27. By m martineau on Jul 22, 2009

    I have been gardening for many years. I have been searching for a good squash bug control product. So far every thing has been using harsh chemicals when I am trying to go totally organic, or picking them off by hand which is very time consuming. I have been interested in how plant oils kill pests and would like to try your product. Thanks, M. Martineau

  28. By Andy on Jul 23, 2009

    My wife and I have a beautiful garden this year thanks to well timed rains and lots of mulch. We have had squash before with no trouble, but this year we are being attacked by squash bugs. We are trying to remove eggs and nymphs, but we are losing the battle. I pulled up one whole plant today and burned it because there were so many bugs and eggs. We are going to try diatomaceous earth, but would like a stronger and longer lasting alternative.

  29. By Jason Pearson on Jul 29, 2009

    The problem I have is that the Squash Bugs have destroyed 2 of my Squash plants and they are working on a 3rd and a 4th. I go out and remove all the eggs as often as I can but I’m in law school so I don’t have time to do it as often as needed. My entire garden is Organic so an Organic spray is seriously desired here. Does this stuff stop Japanese beetles from eating roses too?

  30. By Becky on Jul 29, 2009

    I have been dealing with Squash Bugs for many, many… years! HOW FRUSTRATING!! I can never keep up with the picking and killing of the bugs! Actually I have found that squashing the bugs attract others to come and attack. I usually end up loosing half of my squash plants because of these evil bugs! I have used harsh pesticides and it has killed them but I have four boys to keep healthy and don’t like that in my crops! I’m excited to see if this spray works!!

  31. By mealnie griffin on Jul 30, 2009

    My church has started an organic garden to feed the needy in our area. We’ve started w/ a demonstration garden of 1/2 an acre, which we planted w/ companion plants. It’s been doing beautifully until….squash bugs! I’m afraid we have sq bugs AND cucumber beetles. Anyway, love to try your product and QUICK

  32. By Robert Mader on Jul 31, 2009

    I have about 10 zucchini plants and several rows of cucumbers. I’ve already spotted several full grown Squash Bugs and am looking for a something to get them under control before they get out of hand. I already have lost 3 zucchini plants. If this works, I would really like to become a dealer!

  33. By Patrica Wood on Jul 31, 2009

    I am gardening in Kentucky for the second year. I have avoided using Sevin dust on my plants but am losing my nice squash plants. I have pumpkins in two separate gardens which are looking wonderful and do not want them to become diseased. I am gardening for the owners of this property and also love to share with our neighbors. Your help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

  34. By Stefanie Schmidt on Jul 31, 2009

    Thanks for the information, I would love to try your products!

  35. By john hobson on Aug 1, 2009

    I am getting ready to organically garden on a large scale, could I expect this product line to all issues with cucurbits? how about other crops? I am hoping so. Will the eggs dye using this or do they still have to be scraped off.

  36. By Patrick on Aug 4, 2009

    I teach organic gardening classes and occasionally appear on local TV (Medford, OR) to discuss organic methods for pest control. Squash Bugs (Anasa tristis) is a nasty little bugger for the home organic gardener. There are very few chemical controls available for the organic gardener. We predominantly use physical controls such as hand picking, row cover, shade traps and scraping eggs off leaves. I’ve experimented using homemade insecticides with only partial success. If you’ve got a product that is certified organic and can easily kill off squash bugs, I’ll give it a try.

  37. By Rebecca on Aug 5, 2009

    I found out I had squash bugs too late. I saw nymphs in early June but didn’t know what they were. I sprayed but obviously not well enough… I was traveling for several weeks and when I returned the numbers had multiplied! The population was too out of control to even manage. So far this year I got one spaghetti squash, one crooked neck squash and no cucumbers. The vines are so badly damaged at this point I’ve given up. I can’t seem to kill them no matter how much I spray. I just don’t know where they came from because there was not a garden planted last year and none of my neighbors have gardens. Unless they came on the plants that I bought I have no idea where they got in my garden.

  38. By Bonnie on Aug 6, 2009

    (Carson City,NV)This is my 2nd yr resuming veg. gardening after many years ago, 30×50. Last yr was good but, this year even better w/over 70 hills. BUT, the squash bug is again now on the scene. I’ve hand picked and destroyed the eggs. I hope EcoSmart is the answer to help with this notorious problem. I don’t remember this bug 15 or 20+ ago. Also, noticed white leaf mold which I didn’t have last year. So, I’m presently removing the leaves and spraying the rest of the plants with 1 part milk and 2 parts water on these various variety squash and cucumber plants. I found this online and someone told me their grandmother used to use this spray. Well, I sure could use some more advice and help anyone!!!! Have a great day in your garden as I do!!!!

  39. By Kimberly Taliercio on Aug 12, 2009

    I would LOVE to try this product. I am currently fighting a losing battle against these pests. I have lost all kinds of plants because there are just too many bugs for one person too kill!!

  40. By leland on Aug 14, 2009

    Sorry folks but I’ve tried everything organic for 30+ years to rid my gardens of squash bugs and have decided it’s just not possible.. They are positively viral in their reproduction do what I may they eventually take over my squash plants and I have to be satisfied with what sqaush I can grow before the plants are totally overwhelmed.
    Good old toxic chemical pesticides are the only hope–at least in my neck of the woods (west, central Texas)

  41. By Jeanette on Aug 16, 2009

    I, as many others, am really frustrated with my squash bug colony. I am actually now looking forward to fall cleanup when I can pull all the vines and kill the little beasties! I would love to have an organic alternative to controlling the infestation.

  42. By Lyn H on Aug 21, 2009

    I planted blue hubbard squash this year, I wanted to try something new. I was so excited when the first small globes appeared only to have them shrivel a couple of wks later and fall from the yellow and shrinking vines. I have never had this kind of prob.w/squash bugs, I’ve lost a few squash during a season but not this wide spread. I am hoping since I have gardens in different areas that I will still get at least a few hubbards to try from one of the areas which is not effected yet. The bugs have already spread across two of my gardens and have spread into the yellow squash and zucchini. I pulled one zucchini plant which is totally gone and sprayed some soap water on the rest to try to save them. I feared bugs since I stay organic and don’t use chemicals.

  43. By Tracy on Aug 22, 2009

    I had squash planted in two different areas of my garden this year and battled the squash bugs in one area early in July. I thought I had won, only those plants quit producing even after I thought I had gotten rid of them by hand picking and squishing all the bugs and eggs I could find.
    Today, in August, over a month later…I go out to find squash bugs on the other squash plants in a different area of my garden. Starting the hand picking war again but my pumpkin plant that looked incredibly healthy a couple of days ago, looks as if it’s about to die. I really really would love to try an organic product to take care of these little critters before I lose ALL of my squash plants this season.

  44. By John on Aug 26, 2009

    Stink bug infestation of cucs, squash, and lopes too big to deal with! I killed them by hand in July and then lost those plants (mostly spag. squash and pumpkin) – they just yellowed and died! Now the rest are really wilting. I did get a lot of cucs and squash but they are running down!

  45. By Cristi Reed on Aug 28, 2009

    I have know of square foot gardening and am trying to do it organically. In my second year, these bugs are making me insane. I also want my kids to see a good result from the work. In square foot gardening it is so close together the bugs kill all of it fast. Help–Help

  46. By Donald on Aug 31, 2009

    I have a major squash bug infestation on my pumpkin plants and will only use an organic alternative. I hope this works, since I don’t want to disappoint the kids!!

  47. By Dustin Barker on Sep 5, 2009

    Squash bugs have killed my zucchini plants and are now killing my cucumbers. I would love to try this product.

  48. By Cathy Kuhl on Sep 9, 2009

    I have too many squash bugs to hand pick. Sure hope this product works!

  49. By Jamie Jones on Sep 14, 2009

    I wished I had seen this website earlier. We had 5 pumpkin plants and 4 squash plants and these bugs wiped out all of them. We did not know what a squash bug was until now. I really hope we get rid of them!!!!

  50. By jason benner on Sep 20, 2009

    My first year at our new house. Have a 3000 square foot garden for the first time, and was quickly introduced to these suckers. I will not be planting pumpkins or gourds anymore, but worry for next years cucs and zucs. Can’t wait to see if your stuff works!!! Would preying mantis be affected by your product?

  51. By Julia Eggleston on Oct 8, 2009

    Its October and I have what looks like squash bugs in my 2nd floor bedroom! I have found four so far and another one in my first floor family room. Yuck, I keep seeing them on the ceiling over my bed and one was actually on my bed. Do they bite? I don’t even have any squash or pumpkin plants in my garden. Anybody know why they are in my house and how I can get rid of them? Maybe they are some other kind of bug that just looks similar.

  52. By Tiffany on Feb 19, 2010

    I hate these Squash (Stink) bugs. I wish I had some free EcoSMART to get rid of them once and for all.

  53. By Beth A Christensen on Feb 25, 2010

    We have lost many pumpkins, hubbards, and other squash varieties to the squash bugs over the last two years. I am tired of seeing my husband’s hard work go to the bugs! Help!

  54. By Mary Case on Mar 10, 2010

    We had a terrible problem with these nasty critters in the fall. They made there way to the house and I used a vaccum cleaner and sucked thousands that were on the outside on siding an 3 foot over hang. Worked really well but it didn’t smell to good. Also I took
    a can and put soapy water in it and left them drop down into the soapy water then put lid on them until they died. Had several cans filled
    in a couple of days. I didn’t have that many in my garden, only seen a couple. They sure did like the warm house.

  55. By Barb on Apr 6, 2010

    Big problem in my garden last year and hopefully will not be back, but I’m sure they will. Have looked for alternatives to harsh chemicals but found none. I am looking forward to some beautiful zucchini this year, missed them last year.

  56. By Jimmy Mac on Apr 27, 2010

    Just wanna effectively kill these bugs before they ravage my central TX crop.

  57. By Victoria on Jun 3, 2010

    This sounds great! I’m pretty sure I just found my first one… Not too happy about that. We have done everything organic, including companion planting.

  58. By Dixie on Jun 14, 2010

    I am having problems with my tomatoes turning black on the non-vine side. At first I thought it was a tomato caterpillar. Now I believe it my be squash bugs. After reading about your produce, I’d like to see if it will kill the bugs so we don’t loose the whole crop of tomatoes.

  59. By Kelli on Jun 15, 2010

    Middle of June here in Oklahoma, and have started seeing squash bugs and eggs. Am staying busy hand picking them as I would prefer to not use harsh chemicals. My greater concern is them migrating to other plants.

  60. By Jan Exo on Jun 15, 2010

    I would love to try EcoSMART. I have been plagued with squash bugs for years in my garden. Thanks for all the tips. I will try covering the vines.

  61. By Su on Jun 20, 2010

    I have had it with squash bugs for the past four years. I have tried organic and chemical controls to no avail. Hope your product works!

  62. By Dianna on Jun 27, 2010

    It’s only the end of June and all my vine crops have already died a painful death, painful for me anyway. Can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent squashing squash bugs, or stomping on them, drowning, or feeding them to the chickens. Would be wonderful to find a product that won’t hurt my beneficial insects, but get rid of this destructive pest.

  63. By Shannon on Jun 29, 2010

    I am desperate. We have a lot of squash bugs and are not sure how to get rid of them. We are trying to keep our garden organic and are looking for ways to get rid of those pesky squash bugs before they destroy all our crop.

  64. By Randy on Jul 5, 2010

    I had squash bugs last summer and have found a few this year. I have grandkids and dogs and need to find a safe way to protect my garden, the wasps and lady bugs are doing there best , but it is not enough. Please can you help me here in Utah. Thanks

  65. By Susan Aspeotes on Jul 7, 2010

    HELP….squash bugs are running over my zucchini plants. Have already lost several small fruits and am trying to keep them from destroying the rest. I use zucchini in several of my dog biscuit recipes and prefer to grow my own rather than purchase so it’s imperative that these little beasties be STOPPED.

  66. By Carolyn on Jul 7, 2010

    I’m a second year Gardner and found these pesky beetles at the end of the growing year last year and had everything come to maturity and no rot, but this year they are here early and seem to be killing the plants before they can even blume. glad i found this site, picking them off early and tearing the eggs off seems to have worked so far… i found them this year by accident with my irrigation water i splashed on my squash plant. two came up the leaf stem and i saw them… the more i splashed the more came out of hiding… Worked great, i got a old plastic jug and put soapy water in it to make the sides to slippery to climb up and hunted for the little pests. I either grabbed them and flicked them in the jug or scrapped them in with lid, stomping on them just made me feel good didn’t seem to kill that many bugs. Thanks for the good advice.

  67. By Esther Shomper on Jul 17, 2010

    I am being infested with squash bugs. They are on my zucchini and pumpkin plants. I see more of them every day.

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67 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers! (details)