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. 133 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.

  68. By Nellie Butler on Jul 29, 2010

    I’ve never seen a squash bug before this summer. Our garden was growing beautifully until the last two weeks when our zucchini plants quit producing shortly after they started. Our once gigantic, healthy plants were starting to yellow and the fruit on them wilting and dying before they could ripen. After doing a search in them, I found those nasty squash bugs and their eggs on the undersides of the leaves. I spent over an hour hunting down the adults, squishing them (stinky job!) and also the eggs. I’m sure it’s a losing battle! I’d love to find an easier, healthy way to deal with this problem!

  69. By Jodi on Jul 31, 2010

    I would love to try this product out. I’ve got my first garden going this year, and I’ve been so excited. I’ve seen some squash bugs, but didn’t realize how damaging they were until my zucs started dying on the vine when they were only as big as my thumb. My yellow crooked neck squash seem to be surviving, but my poor zuccini plants are hurting! I hope I can save them.

  70. By Rachel Flint on Aug 3, 2010

    I have had squash bug attacks for every year that I have planted squash. They’re here again. It seems so futile to individually pick them off. They are also just too gross to deal with! I am thinking about experimenting with getting my kids to drown them in soapy water. I could pay them by the bug!

  71. By Tim on Aug 12, 2010

    I have had squash bugs attack my garden for the past 2 years. I started the season with several watermelon, canteloupe, zucchini, yellow squash and cucumber plants. However, the squash bugs have destroyed almost all over them. I have 4 plants left right now. I have tried killing them by hand, spraying the plants with the hose morning and night to keep them off and sprinkled Sevens dust on the plants every few days but its not enought. They have destroyed my crop and I have almost decided to give up the fight but would love to see something that would kill them off and save my remaining plants. I would prefer something natural or organic as I don’t like to use chemicals in my garden and EcoSMART looks like it could be the answer. I would pay to see these squash bugs destroyed!

  72. By David McMahon on Sep 11, 2010

    Squash bugs are the bain of gardners, not the only ones to be sure, but one of the worst. This article has some good information for me, I appreciate it and will put it to good use.

  73. By Geno on Nov 9, 2010

    My girlfriend Pam likes putting on a pair of stiletto heels and walking across masses of them at a time.This also works great for tomato worms,but its best to have on platforms so your toes don’t get sprayed with green guts.

  74. By Daisy on Feb 10, 2011

    I use a little bamboo stick and masking tape against these evil beasts. If you wrap a bit of masking tape around the end of a long thin stick, (such as a bamboo stake) sticky side out, you have a much better chance of catching the adult by just poking them. Little buggars are quick and otherwise almost impossible to catch. They stick to the tape and you’ve got them. I also use the tape to pull off the eggs deposited under the leaves.

  75. By Terri on Mar 13, 2011

    Ok, I’m going to try this!! Last year was my first time gardening..I was sooo proud…my butternut squash were so beautiful, I was out there everyday checking on them…then I got sick for several days…and that’s when “they” moved in! SQUASH BUGS!! By the end of summer…my butternut squash were ruined!! I never harvested even one!! :(

  76. By Mike on Apr 10, 2011

    I have come to a similiar conclusion. The best squash that I have ever raised is by getting a really early garden. I may have to cover the plants for a month but you have to beat this bug by getting the plant ahead of the bugs growth spurt. I have killed thousands of these with my fingers, feet and when necesarry Sevin. I am not even confident Sevin actually works and I absolutely hate to use it. Send me some of your product and if it works I will tell the world.

  77. By ALLAN COLLINS on May 23, 2011

    I HAVE FOUND CEDER SPRAY SPRAYED ON STEM VERY EFFECTIVE. SPRAYED DIRECTLY ON BUGS KILLED THEM. ON STEM I FOUND BUGS 1′ AWAY FROM PLANT AND WERE DEAD, IM STILL WAITING TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY DAMAGE TO PLANTS FROM SPRAY. THE SPRAY I USED IS A REPELANT THAT IS DEET FREE AND CAN BE SPRAYED DIRECTLY ON SKIN. I HAVE JUST TRIED THIS ON A FEW PLANTS IS THERE ANY DANGER TO HUMANS. THIS SEEMS TO BE REALLY EFFECTIVE. THE PRODUCT NAME IS BEST YET.

  78. By Angela on May 25, 2011

    I have suffered through squash bugs in raised beds over the past two years. Gardening season is upon us, and the thought of another season watching my zucchini, summer squash and cukes turn to mush from these little devils makes me sick. Help!

  79. By Marcus on May 30, 2011

    Lost all our squash last year to those pesky bugs. Am watching for bugs and crushing eggs right now. Do appreciate the tips. Will try the boards around the plants at night!

  80. By Jennifer on Jun 2, 2011

    I hate squash bugs and am excited about a product to safely control them in my garden.

  81. By Lisa Lail on Jun 2, 2011

    I just purchased some of your organic spray but I noticed that the bottle doesn’t specifically say that it is for Squash Bugs. My garden is being over run with these bugs. Will your product work on Squash Bugs? … Thanks,
    Lisa Lail

  82. By Jill on Jun 8, 2011

    I would love to try a new natural deterrent for these terrible bugs. I have used seven in the past but would rather not. Squash plants are the only thing I have soooo much trouble with keeping bugs off. I appreciate the tips, and look forward to trying your product.

  83. By Tahuaya Armijo on Jun 12, 2011

    I cut the top off a milk jub but leave the handle. Then I put soapy water in the jug and go from plant to plant finding any Squash bugs I can. While doing this, I also tear any leaf part that has eggs. Some eggs are on the top of leaves so don’t just look at the bottom of the leaves. The eggs and bugs go in the soapy water. Right now, I have some pretty nice plants with little damage and a lot of dead bugs and water logged eggs.

  84. By Sarah Morphew on Jun 17, 2011

    We have had a garden for 3 years now, and this year the squash bugs are awful! We are so helpless against them, and it’s bad because we are trying to grow cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, pumpkin, spaghetti squash, and more. If you skip growing these things for 1 or 2 seasons, does that help?

  85. By Karen Flores on Jun 17, 2011

    Just found many bugs and eggs on my squash plants….I will be removing the bugs and smashing the eggs as I find them. I will also try the wood or newspaper trick. This garden is my kids and I am looking for a product that is safe.

  86. By Pat on Jun 19, 2011

    My blossoms on my squash plants are getting snipped off. Our local garden center manager said it could be a chipmunk. I sprayed Bobbix on them and low and behold, the next day more blossoms were snipped. Will squash bugs do this. I have killed them but thus far have had no massive devastation except cut stems on the blossoms. Of course then I will have no squash. Would really appreciate any help you could give me.

  87. By Katie on Jun 19, 2011

    Glad to find your site…I’m in SC and just lost all my squash and now these critters are working on my yummy cukes :( This is war!

  88. By marybeth duncan on Jun 29, 2011

    I am over run with these squash bugs the eggs are all over the bottoms of my leaves i would love to be a tester as we have never had a problem until this year my fourth year growing squash

  89. By Jim on Jun 30, 2011

    It’s been a yearly battle with the squash bugs. I’ve been using (organic) insecticidal soap spray, mixed with a little cayenne pepper and garlic and some sprigs of mint. (I use cheap garlic powder, NOT garlic SALT.) I let it sit in the sun for a day and strain the mixture though cloth before I put it in the sprayer. After spraying, I tour the garden with a pail of detergent soapy water and a hand vacuum. The bugs and eggs I hand pick off the plants are dropped into the pail. The vacuumed contents are also dumped in. Seems to work.

  90. By Kelly on Jun 30, 2011

    I have a issue with squash bugs also. They are killin’ my squash. I estimate I have almost 1,000 of those things! Its my first year gardenin’ and their takin’ down my squash, zuccuiney, and cucumbers. I am goin’ to burn all my plants that are infested with them in effort to make them go away and never come back!
    I hope my experiece with SQUASH BUGS help educate other gardeners that share this issue.

  91. By Steve Deakins on Jul 3, 2011

    Acorn and Zucchini squash dead, Pumpkins hurting, please send help!

  92. By Christy on Jul 4, 2011

    Would love to try this! This is my first year growing a garden, and I only got 2 zucchini off of my plant before these bugs came. The plant still looks healthy but is crawling with them!

  93. By John on Jul 5, 2011

    Since my squash sprouted, I have been out there every day checking for the little buggers. Then, one day, after I had harvested the first 3 fruit, I found 7 squash bugs! I made quick work putting them on trial and sentencing then to death. They did not find time to mate or lay eggs, and I haven’t found any more since, but it’s only been 3 days. I guess they fly around in little swarms looking for plants?

  94. By John on Jul 5, 2011

    A little history. I have had my entire garden destroyed by bugs, especially my squash by squash bugs. I was so discouraged that I didn’t plant a garden at all for the next 2 years. I figure that gave all the bugs time to die off or move away, and am starting anew this year being very careful. So far I have beautiful squash with no bugs, besides the few i mentioned above.

  95. By John on Jul 5, 2011

    one last thing. When inspecting plants for invaders, it helps to spray the bottom of the plants with water. When the bugs crawl up the plant to dry out, grab them!

  96. By April on Jul 6, 2011

    I am a first time gardener & I just realized that I have squash bugs on my zuccini plants. I took 4 of the infested leaves off & I am in need of a quick solution. Please help!

  97. By Virginia on Jul 9, 2011

    EcoSMART is great for killing bugs but do not spray on the plant leaves. I may have killed one of my squash plants.

  98. By Wanda Benton on Jul 9, 2011

    My first year to grow squash BUGS in Missouri. I tried diatamaceous earth…not sure it is working. Tried mashing and drowning them..takes forever and I think that it attracts more of them. Duct tape didn’t stick to the eggs so I mashed them too but the next morning I always have hundreds more of them evidently laid overnight. I used an ortho spray..I think it only made them hungrier and fatter. Now there is a huge almost black bug similiar to the squash bugs eating my flowers. Evil looking things, I drown them laughing hysterically and with glee. I even forget about the copperheads..I am so excited about killing these stinking bugs. Is there such as thing as going garden postal? Heheheh.

    Wanda

  99. By Wanda Benton on Jul 9, 2011

    I forgot a couple of things. Has anyone else tried diatamaceous earth successfully? I was talked into it and bought a few hundred pounds to use in the garden and on our animals. There is also a bumper crop of Japanese Beetles eating my Rose Of Sharon shrubs and some rose bushes. East central Missouri is naturally buggy because of plenty of moisture year-round, ticks leading the way. Of course they only eat people and animals..I think. I have never seen anything like the abundance of these squash eating bugs anywhere. I am really curious about the diatamaceous earth and whatever other natural products available. Dyed in the wool organic gardener here, but I got weak and desperate and did try the one spray which didn’t do diddly squat anyway. I was careful to avoid blossoms and overspray so I hope that I didn’t harm a bee or butterfly in my desperation. My partner in crime is a little handicapped girl in a wheelchair and luckily we planted early and have harvested a few yellow squash before the invasion and subsequent slaughter of the poor dear squished and drowned ugly bugs. Does the D.E. ever work?
    Wanda

  100. By Leigh-Anne Hawse on Jul 12, 2011

    Ran across the website after losing 2 plants this week. I too have been picking off the leaves with the eggs on them and burning them. It’s simply a losing battle. I did go in search of your product today and had no luck in the area where I live. So where do you buy the stuff?

    Thanks for all the info!

  101. By Samantha on Jul 15, 2011

    It’s nice to know I’m not the only one in this battle! We’ve had an organic garden for 4 years now, and this is the 1st year we’ve really seen damage from these devils. There’s nothing more frustrating then seeing all your hard work get eaten up by stinky little bugs. I’m definitely going to try the shade traps, and hopefully this new spray works!

  102. By Newt Rayburn on Jul 16, 2011

    I decided to expand my garden this year to include squash and gourds, and now I have a squash bug problem. I’m looking for an organic remedy and would love to see if EcoSMART will work.

  103. By ml nowak on Jul 17, 2011

    I eliminated the problem but it requires time and diligence for about 4 days. 1)soaked the leaves of squash plant & bugs came out from under the leaves to dry off
    2) knock each bug off leaves into pail of soapy water. 3) dissected the small portion of every leaf where I found the eggs. 4)splashed a little bit of soapy water where I found newly hatched bugs that were too small knock off…they died. 5)check plant at least two times a day for 3 to 4 days and do above steps as needed

  104. By sbkiller on Jul 19, 2011

    me and my two boys each armed ourselves with needle nose pliers and sprayed water at the base of the plant to persuade the sbc’s(squash bug critters) to come out of hiding and then we used ninja skills to pinch and destroy these demon insects.

  105. By Katie Lee on Jul 19, 2011

    I am really hoping and praying that this product will put a dent in these pesky bugs. Not only are the a problem for my vines and squash, but word of warning, watch your rhubarb also!… I’m not a fan of chemicals, I try to go organic, but both have failed me.

  106. By Kat on Jul 19, 2011

    Squash bugs are the main reason I cannot get a crop of squash from my organic garden. I have just spent an hour picking off adults and squishing eggs. I also laid down some boards today {thank you for the tip} and hope to find this trapping method effective. I would love to add your product to my arsenal.

  107. By colleen on Jul 20, 2011

    I have squash bugs for the first time this year and am worried they will spread from my zucchini to my pumpkins. I’m having trouble with other pests like flea beetles on my eggplant for the first time as well.

  108. By Allison Jordan on Jul 23, 2011

    I have never been a successful gardener and this year I was determined to try! Growing tomatoes and pumpkins with my two young daughters. Everything was fabulous until I noticed these stinkbug looking insects all over my grand garden. My poor pumpkin plants! I am on a mission to wipe these buggers out and prove to myself that I can be a decent veggie gardener. The squashing by hand totally grosses me out but I am game for anything that will quell these bugs. I’m in to try this product if the testing phase is still ongoing. Tx so much!
    Allison Jordan

  109. By Renee Coffee on Jul 26, 2011

    I didn’t realize the little spiders I see crawling all over my squash are really the squash bugs. I’m really doing battle with them because I’m hoping I just rescued my squash from the vine borers by doing surgery on the vines and then taping them back up with medical tape.

  110. By Shelby on Jul 27, 2011

    First year gardener & when I first noticed the adults, I thought they were just stink bugs. Those buggers creep me out so I didn’t get close enough to investigate. Noticed something had been eating my leaves & rotted one squash that was ready to be harvested but have been too busy to look up known squash/zucch pests. Today I went out to pick my only zucch & noticed eggs on top of the leaves. Searched online & WOW am I disgusted by this little things. Had nymphs all over 2 out of 6 plants, eggs on 4 out of 6 & 1 is almost dead =( After over 2 hours of picking & squashing squash bugs, I’m ready to pull them & burn them. If this product works I am FOREVER a loyal customer & will be sure to tell all my friends!

  111. By Karla Thomas on Jul 28, 2011

    I have squash bugs… lots of them and they are mating and leaving eggs everywhere. Between the squash bugs and the squash vine borers I can’t get one squash, pumpkin or cantalope to grow to maturity. This year (2011) is horrible for incests in general. Help!

  112. By Kerri on Jul 28, 2011

    This is our first year doing a garden.. we are very excited what we have accomplished so far, we have been hearing about these squash bugs but have experience any and were so happy not to but today when i was out watering I notice a couple of them and I was watering more I saw more and so on… Then I saw a ton of eggs all over the leaves..I was so sad. my husband put the 7 powder on it… we are hoping it will help..

  113. By Larry on Jul 29, 2011

    I have had some success controlling squash bugs on my zucchini by watering the roots area heavily at evening time. This forces the bugs that are hiding at the base of the plant to climb out to seek higher ground to keep from drowning, and I pick them off and squash them, (pun intended). I keep track of the number of bugs killed at each plant to see if I am gaining or losing ground. I also make certain to scrape off all the eggs that I can find. The bugs seem to be late risers and I usually do not find many during the early morning. I have found them out mating closer to noon. If anyone has found a good predator that i can buy, please get in touch.

  114. By Ramon on Jul 29, 2011

    Well I have a bunch of squash bugs. My plants look fine for now but I am wondering how long it will last. At first I thought they were stinkbugs for sure. But alas I have seen the eggs with my own eyes. I really hope this product works as well and I hope I am still eligible to become one of the testers.

    Thanks

  115. By Matthew Nielson on Jul 30, 2011

    Please Send it to me. What are the active and inactive ingredients in your product?

  116. By lee partridge on Jul 30, 2011

    what product do you have to control squash bugs,and what is the waiting time before picking produce. where can i purchase it thanks lee

  117. By Keith on Aug 3, 2011

    We need help! We just planted a few thousand pumpkin seeds for a pumpkin patch! (For the kids) Are plants are about 8″ tall and starting to vine out and we are starting to notice these bugs on are plants. So we call are local feed store and they gave us a few different chemicals that we can use but I needed to get a licences due to the strength of chemical. Well we wanted to keep these pumpkins as organic as possible. So I’m wanting to try your product out 1st. Before spraying all plants with those bad chemicals that my kids and friends will be tromping threw.

  118. By Robert Lamb on Aug 3, 2011

    SQUASH BUGS! That’s a four letter word around here (Western Kentucky). I understand we are in the heart of (Anasa tristis) Squash Bug Country!

    I’m a back deck gardener and have been for a few years. These stinking bugs (no pun intended) suck the life out of my plants and then attack what ever fruit they can get their suckers into! I have found, as Carolyn above (July 7, 2010), that when splashed with water they will come to the top of a leaf and give away their position allowing you a visual to attack from above. Yeah, it’s a real war!

    Just now I killed two adult Anasa tristis and scraped several of their eggs off of the bottom of one yellow squash leaf, which I promptly crushed. I found the adult bugs by the water flush method and quickly compressed the life out of them.

    I would be happy to try EcoSMART because I really expect to see more of these buggers and I don’t want to use harsh chemicals!

  119. By Alyssa M. Luzecky on Aug 3, 2011

    I have had a large garden 50ft by 50ft for the past 3 years and these bugs are always around destroying my months of hard work and reducing my crop of squashes and pumpkins tremendously. This year I have been on the hunt watching for their eggs and scraping them off into a bowl of water and flushing them down the toilet. If I find a leaf with tons of babies on it, I cut it off and throw it in a bucket and drown them all at once so none can escape. I search every almost every day for them but there are still lots of them. Getting very frustrated! I have never used chemicals in my garden and never want to use them. I am hoping this product is truly a working organic solution to these very stubborn bugs. Then, I can begin kayaking and doing other summer hobbies again instead of spending all my spare time trying to hunt these suckers down because I do not want them to destroy my months of labor!

  120. By Betty Olson on Aug 4, 2011

    I did not know why my beautiful hearty looking squash plants were just suddenly dying, one by one. At first I couldn’t find any insects, but tonight I discovered thousand of squah bug nymphs on the underside of the leaves. I can’t possibly pick them all off. I am desperate for an organic solution.

  121. By Thomas Fetters on Aug 10, 2011

    I seen ur add on EcoSMART and looking 4 more info on it. I also have a problem with squash bugs. Thank You

  122. By mark on Aug 12, 2011

    i hate these things!!!!

  123. By Sherry on Aug 17, 2011

    I didn’t know what was happening to my squash; I couldn’t even grow zucchini. Then I saw the bugs; they were even around my cukes! I have lots of them. I will try to manually kill them.

  124. By Shawn on Aug 22, 2011

    Hi. Are the products certified organic? Does the OMRI approve them?

  125. By Jen S on Aug 23, 2011

    First year garden at the new house and squash bugs have invaded! One zucchini and it looks like that may be it. Time to start using some of these tips and see if I can salvage them before fall.

  126. By Diane on Aug 24, 2011

    This is my first year of having my own organic garden. My 4 yr old and I worked really hard to plant this nice garden. We were able to get some nice cucumbers out of it before the cucumber (now learning about them) destroyed the rest of our crop. Now, finding out what a squash bug is after researching these nasty little critters. She and I have lost our zuch’s and they are now working on our pumkins. What do I do? I am going to try the board thing. I have cut off several stems and bagged them up for the trash but, short of that I’m lost. I have tried a garlic spray, oil sprays…please help.

    She and I are on our way out to squash some more of these suckers now. Any help would be appreciated!

  127. By Jeff York on Aug 25, 2011

    Sguash bugs…grrr. My worst nightmare. They showed up two years ago on my yellow squash and this year on my zucchini. I guess I’m going back to cucumbers next year since I had good luck with them in the past.

  128. By Jerry Scoggins on Aug 28, 2011

    I’m a beginning gardner. Just discovered my garden is infested with these squash bugs. They are on my honeydew melons too. Too many to fight individually. Help! Please!

  129. By Angie on Aug 31, 2011

    So happy to finally know what these monsters are and how to get rid of them! So far this year they took out my yellow squash, then moved on to my zucchini, then my spaghetti squash and finally took out my cucumbers! They have since left my garden and moved on to my neighbors and killed all of their squash and cucumbers. Hopefully next year with this new found wisdom we will have healthy fruitful plants!

    Thank you so very much!

  130. By Janet B. on Sep 8, 2011

    I finally live where I can have flower gardens, vegetable gardens, and fruit trees! Yaay! :-) (The little tiny yard I had before was jam-packed with flowers and sometimes squash!)
    This year, being my first, I only planted flowers, tomatoes, melon, and squash. They’ve been doing great!! Last week I needed to pull some of the squash/melon vines off a crepe myrtle and encourage them in a different direction. A couple of days later, I noticed a bunch of bugs on the vines, and wondered whether they were good bugs or bad. The next morning I went out, and that part of the vine was completely dead! Obviously they are bad bugs!! I talked to my Mom about it, and she asked, “Are they squash bugs?” I had no idea, so I looked them up…and sure enough! When I see them or their eggs, I eliminate them, but with all the watering & weeding and homeschooling I do, there is no possible chance I have time to go leaf by leaf!! I will try putting a board over there – I can definitely do that. Thanks for the tips!

  131. By Diana Partington on Sep 17, 2011

    I have lost all my cuckumbers and my zuccini. They are now starting on my pumpkins. tHERES NO WAY TO KILL THE EGGS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LEAFS, not possible to pick off the leafs either as there are eggs on all of them. I sprayed with eight at the first sign of them, but it didn’t faze them much. Sprayed the second time and it seemed to help, but they moved to my cuckumbers then. I would love to get a free sample of your product to try, too late for this year but would be a great help for next year if it works. Hope you will send at least a sample, if you do, and it works, you’ll have a customer for life. AI raise a huge garden every year, almost a whole acre and plant a lot of cucks, pumpkins, and various kinds of squash. Send it soon so I’ll have it on hand right away next spring and when it works can get my order in before its too late for the rest of the garden.

  132. By CrazyOwlLady on Sep 27, 2011

    Thanks for this. I too lost nearly everything to these creeps. The only thing spared was my heirloom cushaw squash. Please let me know if you have samples, I’ll also be a customer for life!!

  133. By nakturnal on Sep 28, 2011

    Go here and each product lists it’s ingredients
    http://www.ecosmart.com/products/

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