How To Identify And Control Squash Bugs

Squash bugs are among the most destructive insects we know! These plant louse insert their sucking mouthparts into the plant and feed on the leaves, stems and fruits, making the plants wilt, change colour to yellow and in some cases die if not controlled. The steps of how to identify squash bugs and how to prevent these from becoming a problem in your garden are clearly laid out here. How to prevent squash bugs is a major headache and farmers should focus on the solutions usually especially the squash bugs organic control.

Identifying Squash Bugs

What do squash bugs look like is a necessity. Squash bug eggs on leaves are dangerous sights for farmers. The first way to control squash bugs is to identify them correctly. This is important because most pests that infest squash plants have very close similarities. Here’s what to look for:

• Eggs: Squash bugs produce batches of small and oval copper-coloured eggs on the underside of the leaves. When using angle of the leaf veins as place for eggs, then it is normal to find the egg in these areas.
• Nymphs: These two are immature insects which are comparatively small, greenish-gray in colour they are found in groups. When they grow they assume more of a defined body shape than a larva but they do not have wings as in the case with the adult.
• Adults: The adults are brown or gray in color, are flat and shaped mainly like shield measuring approximately 5/8 inch in length. If pressed or squashed they have an unpleasant smell due to which they are called stink bugs.

Some Insights from an Agriculturalist

It is quoted that Dr Hans Muller, an agricultural pest management expert from Germany said, “Squash bugs can indeed take a serious toll especially in backyard gardens where probably some of the control measures may not be as serious as in commercial farming. Early detection and integrated pest management are therefore important in reducing impact of these bugs on one’s crops.” Controlling squash bugs organically is necessary.

Müller added that the non-traditional ways of controlling pests in the farm are the best, especially those that involve the use of cultural practices, organic insecticides, and parasites that attack the pests. “Squash bugs are usually resistant to chemical controls and hence we advocate for biocontrol methods.”

Step-by-Step Methods for Controlling Squash Bugs

How to get rid of squash bugs in the garden? Well, this part can be helpful. Having given an insight of what squash bugs are and how they can be identified, we can now proceed to check out the best ways of controlling these pests.

1. Cultural Practices

• Remove Plant Debris: Squash bugs are also known to over-winter in the field residues and piles of the fallen leaves. Tidy up your garden at the end of the gardening year and pull out old plants and weeds that attract bugs during the winter.
• Use Row Covers: It is advisable to cover your squash plants with row covers this will ensure that the adult bugs cannot lay eggs on the plants. Make sure that the covers are tightly fixed in order to minimize the chances of pests’ getting into the boxes while at the same time permitting fresh air as well as air moisture.

2. Handpicking

Inspect and Remove Eggs: Squash Bugs: adult squash bugs overwinter in cracks and crevices located on the undersides of squash leaves; examine these areas often. Squash them or pull off the whole leaf section to avoid the nymphs from emerging.

Pick Off Adults and Nymphs: Physically dealing with the adult bugs and nymphs especially during the early morning or late in the afternoon when the bugs are comparatively less active. Please immerse them into a bucket with soapy water to drown them.

3. Introducing Natural Predators

Some of the natural enemies that are useful in the management of squash bugs include; tachinid fly, parasitoid wasps, and spiders among others. These natural predators are very helpful and should be present in soil to provide the desired results. Squash bugs on pumpkin can be stressful and that is why it should be tackled with proper knowledge.

4. Applying Beauveria Bassiana Insecticide

Use Novobac’s Beveria WP, a bio-insecticide, made of Beauveria bassiana, a non-pathogenic fungus which controls pests, including squash bug. This organic squash bug insecticide is very helpful. The farmers using it only have positive reviews about it.  

Step-by-Step Application

Mix the Solution: Follow the instructions to mix the Beauveria bassiana wettable powder in water. Ensure it is well-dissolved for optimal effectiveness.

Spray Directly on Pests: Apply the solution directly to infested plants, focusing on the undersides of leaves where squash bugs lay eggs.

Repeat as Necessary: Beauveria bassiana works best when applied multiple times during the growing season. Repeat the treatment every 7-10 days or after rainfall to maintain effectiveness.

Monitor for Results: Within a few days to a week, you should start seeing a decline in the squash bug population as the fungus takes effect.

5. Crop Rotation

Rotate Crops Annually: Do not grow successive crops of squash, pumpkins or zucchini in the same location of your garden. Crop rotation help you to avoid situation where pests are going to breed in your soil all the time.

Conclusion

Controlling pests is a necessity. Novobac with its amazing products like Beauveria Wettable Powder is important in tackling squash bugs. As Dr. Hans Müller notes, “The integration of biocontrol agents like Beauveria bassiana is a breakthrough in pest management for European farmers and home gardeners alike.” Following the important steps given here can always be helpful. Farmers should understand it to get good results while farming.

References:

1. Hassan, Feyroz Ramadan, Samir Khalaf Abdullah, and Lazgeen Haji Assaf. “Pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. endophytic and a soil isolate against the squash beetle, Epilachna chrysomelina (F.)(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).” Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control 29 (2019): 1-7.
2. Abd El-Wahab, Abeer Salah El-Deen, et al. “Effect of the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana inhibiting whitefly transmission of squash leaf curl virus infecting squash.” Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control 33.1 (2023): 64.