The foliage of pumpkin, zucchini, and other squash varieties are the home of squash bugs. Adult pests will also crawl to nearby squash plants or emerge from mulch in spring to lay more eggs. This means that squash bugs can invade your vegetable patch from anywhere. Squash bugs can fly and will often fly from nearby gardens if you grow any type of plant from the Cucurbitaceae family. There is only one squash bug generation per year, so with persistence and determination, it’s possible to reduce squash bug populations to a minimum. The destructive insect pest overwinters under garden debris, mulch, log piles, and under dead squash vines. Squash bug nymphs are a light grayish-white color and turn darker gray when they become adult pests.Īdult squash bugs can live for up to four months. It takes four to six weeks for the nymphs to reach maturity. What Do Squash Bugs Look Like?Īfter the squash bug nymphs hatch in summer, they go through five stages (instars) before reaching adulthood. When it comes to keeping squash bug populations under control, prevention is key to ensure a bumper crop of squash plants. When you remove the adult squash bugs, drop them in a bucket of soapy water to kill them for good. Additionally, you should check the undersides of leaves and remove any adult squash bug by hand. Then ground beetles will feed on the eggs and squash bug nymphs.

The most effective way to control squash bugs is by removing or scraping off the egg clusters before they hatch. Although squash bugs and stink bugs look the same and smell awful when you crush them, they are unrelated.

Because of the unpleasant odor, some people also give squash bugs the name stink bugs. Squash bugs emit a foul stench when crushed. The insects are sometimes called squash beetles.

However, you will also find squash bug eggs and adult bugs on zucchini, cucumbers, cantaloupe melons, and watermelons. A squash bug can do considerable damage by sucking the sap from leaves, causing them to wilt and die.Īs the insect’s name implies, squash bugs mainly feed on pumpkins and summer and winter squash plants. Squash bugs have a recognizable flat back, grayish-brown body and measure around 0.6” (1.5 cm) long. Squash Bug ( Anasa tristis ) FactsĪ squash bug is a small insect in the genus Anasa and family Coreidae. This way, you can use an integrated squash bug control strategy to eliminate the pesky bugs from your garden. As well as natural methods of getting rid of squash bugs, you’ll find about their life cycle. This article is a guide on how to avoid squash bug infestations in your vegetable patch. Total squash bug eradication can include using row covers, companion planting, and not mulching around squash or pumpkins plants. In addition to natural insecticides, it’s crucial to avoid attracting the plant-destroying bugs. Killing squash bugs and preventing the pests from returning requires a multi-method approach. Natural squash bug control methods include hand picking, diatomaceous earth, and neem oil sprays. Getting rid of squash bugs fast is vital to prevent them from destroying your crops. Squash bugs are small, flat-backed dark gray or brown insects with identifiable elongated oval bodies. Squash bugs are destructive pests in gardens if you grow pumpkins, zucchini, squash plants, and other cucurbit plants. Share on Email Share on Pinterest Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn

Zombi bug squish