Squash bugs

[CapeCodCubs]

Anyone have ideas or methods for getting rid of those squash bugs that are sometimes called soldier or stink bugs? They seem to be the only insect problem I encounter. You get an awesome looking crop of squash or pumpkins and next thing you know they are boring into the stalks and killing off your profit.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Sevin spray is the preferred method in this area. It needs to be applied in the early summer or spring while plants are young, before you see bugs. They winter in the soil, and come spring the survivors come out and lay their eggs inside the stem of the plants. You need to get those early adults. When the eggs hatch the bugs eat their way out, and by then they really have a hold on the plants.

[midmo]

Postby Bill Hudson » Sun Mar 29, 2009 4:43 pm


Take a look at these references on squash bugs:

http://www.vegedge.umn.edu/vegpest/cucs/squabug.htm

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2141.html

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distributi ... M1208.html

See if this helps.

Ron in Mid Missouri

[tnestell]

Seven Dust has worked for me.

[Bill Hudson]

Ron,

Thanks for looking up those links. You beat me to it.

Bill

[dirtyred]

sevin dust is what i use. i apply late in the day so i dont kill any honey bees but do get the moths and other critters that visit at night

[CapeCodCubs]

I just picked up a Gandy Insectide Box and for the Pumpkins I will use Sevin. In the past it is a race against time with these bugs. The Tachinid Flies? I'll have to look to see if they can be ordered online. Also smart idea about applying Sevin later in the day to prevent the killing of bees. And from the links the idea of covering until pollination is good too. The links also mentioned burning the dead plants at the end of the year which I always had done. Thanks, folks for the responses!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I prefer the spray because you have better control over it's application, and according to many of the websites there is less problem with it being carried back to a bee colony. Whether you use spray or dust, either apply it very early in the day before blooms open, or very late in evening after they are closed. That reduces the problems with it getting into the flowers and bees carrying it back to the hives and damaging the colony. Bees are in short supply in this area and we need to do all we can to protect them. Avoid the Diatomic earth that many garden places sell, it is very damaging to bees.

[Boss Hog]

Check this out.. It keeps bugs off taters too
http://www.bayercropscienceus.com/produ ... dmire.html

[dirtyred]

got something in the mail bout organic pest control. cant find the magazine but i believe the name was arbico? had all kind of stuff in there. hope this helps