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Garden Gate:  Help! Squash Bugs!  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
3794 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
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 Posted - Jul 12 2012 : 8:03:02 PM
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Oh man! I went away overnight and came back to yellowing pumpkin and zucchini leaves, and have found a good many squash bug eggs. I tried to squash as many of the eggs as possible, but I also have a few BIG squash bugs crawling around out there... I can't believe this! There wasn't a sign of them two days ago!!!
I do have neem oil on hand, but all the plants are flowering and the bees are enjoying them thoroughly. The directions say not to use it when the bees are around. Thing is, we didn't see ANY bees at all until last week, so I really REALLY don't want to do anything to kill them or scare them away.
Bumbles' crumbles.... What do I do? Please help me!!!
Thank you!
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm
4496 Posts
Kristina
NW
Ohio
USA
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LuckyMommyof4
True Blue Farmgirl
408 Posts
Suzanne
Lyndhurst
OH
USA
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Posted - Jul 15 2012 : 06:20:23 AM
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Oh Nini, I'm so sorry to hear about the squash bugs. We had them so bad two years in a row I had to stop planting squash and zucchini for a few years because I couldn't get rid of them. I have heard from a neighbor that she had some luck using a dishsoap with water solution with some tobasco sauce mixed in and sprayed on the bugs/plants/eggs to kill them off. I just heard this from her this year, so I never got to try it on the plants when I had my problem a few seasons back (I have used the dishsoap with water solution spray, but had not heard of mixing in tobasco as a means of killing squash bugs until she mentioned it). I agree with you about not using the neem when the bees are around - don't want to risk harming them.
I'll be thinking good thoughts for you - hang in there.
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
Edited by - LuckyMommyof4 on Jul 15 2012 07:39:51 AM |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
3794 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
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Posted - Jul 15 2012 : 08:39:33 AM
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Thanks, girls!!! Actually, this morning my hubby and I went out and sprayed as many leaves as we could reach with a little dish soap and water... We scraped off a TON of eggs and actually killed one of the squashbugs (couldn't reach the other one, but soaked her with the soapy water - at least she'll look pretty next time I see her! LOL!). I will definitely try the tabasco sauce with it next time - didn't even think of that! What a great idea! Thank you, Suzanne!
Kristina - when you say pepper, do you mean red pepper or regular black pepper? And I just sprinkle it on the leaves? I'm IN!!! Thank you!!!
It's so hard because even though I left what I thought would be plenty of room to walk around everything in the garden, the plants apparently are loving the extra room to sprawl, so it's hard to get to everything. Tiptoeing around in there is virtually impossible. Plus the bees are really starting to enjoy themselves and I really don't want to get stung. My hubby is really great in that respect, because he just plows through and they don't bother him one bit. However, when I say "plow through," I mean it - he doesn't care what he does to the plants. He says they're tough and if they can't handle the pressure, they the weren't meant to survive. Eghads. <:( I coddle them like little children. He treats them like football players in training. So far, though, they're okay! He's right - they are pretty healthy and strong! Thank God!!!
So... Okay... Silly other question... I know that the squash bugs can really do damage by sucking the juices out of the leaves and stems... I have seen the damage and have been trying to be extremely diligent about getting the eggs and bugs I've seen. But, really - not all the leaves will survive all season, right? So if some of them are dying and the rest of them are healthy, lush and green, AND if I'm diligent about the bugs, everything "should" be okay, right? A few lost or yellowing leaves is normal, right? If I keep on this, my squashes and pumpkins should still grow, right? And is it okay to compost the damaged leaves and stems or will they bring bad bacteria to the compost? Maybe if I let them totally dry out in the sun first, it'd be okay?
Ahhh... it's hard trying to be "Mother Earth!" I fuss and worry almost as much over my garden as I did my son when he was a toddler! LOL! But, just as it was then, it is now: It's all worth it! :)
Happy Sunday, girls! And thank you, again, for all your help!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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LuckyMommyof4
True Blue Farmgirl
408 Posts
Suzanne
Lyndhurst
OH
USA
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Posted - Jul 16 2012 : 05:01:42 AM
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Nini - I had to laugh when you said you fuss over your plants like they are your children because my husband accused me of the very same thing this weekend - LOL.
I'm so sorry so many garden challenges are being thrown at you this year. I think this has been a rough growing season for everyone. All the crazy weather (our extreme heat coupled with drought conditions has been playing havoc with my tomatoes! I'm fighting off blossom end rot left and right!)
When we had the squash bugs, they had started in on the blossoms and stems right away and there was basically no saving anything at that stage - if you are aggressively combating them when they are only at your leaves I think your plants stand a good chance of recovery. If you want to compost any part of those plants I would definitely dry them out in an extremely hot, dry place first before trying it.
I had blight last year on some of our tomatoes and basically had to trash the plants for fear I might harbor some of the spores into another season. I went so far as to even scrub down the sides of our raised bed, dig up the dirt that had been around them and scrub the tomato cages.
If you use the tobasco in the dishsoap/water solution just make sure you don't do it in full sun.
I really hope you drive those squash bugs away. I'll be thinking of you.
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
979 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
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Posted - Jul 16 2012 : 10:05:57 AM
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The bees will fly directly to the flowers and won't crawl around on the plants. So if you want to dust the plants, do it at night when the flowers are closed and avoid getting anything on the flowers.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
"Look deep into Nature, and then you will understand everything better."--Albert Einstein
"A meal of bread, cheese and beer constitutes the perfect food." --Queen Elizabeth I
http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrawHouseDesigns |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
7414 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
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Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 09:21:35 AM
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Oh, Nini! I feel your pain! Those things are soooooooooooooooooo NASTY!!!
Two years ago was our first year of having squash bugs, after decades of planting a garden. We were able to stay ahead of them with the dishsoap/water spray. And we harvested everything.
After the garden was done we cleaned all that up and burned it! NO YOU DO NOT WANT TO COMPOST WITH IT . . those bugs winter over in it and everything else!
Planted the usual summer squash, winter squash and pumpkins and could NOT stay ahead of them that time. We harvested summer squash, but could not keep ahead of them on the winter squash or pumpkins and they were totally destroyed!
We did not plant any of those things last year in hopes that the break in the cycle would help. Because of the poor winter and irrigation water shortage this year we decided not to plant a garden at all. So this will be the 2nd year we haven't planted any squash or pumpkins. Hopefully, we can try again next year.
I hope you can harvest your veggies. Some yellow leaves won't hurt, you just want to keep them from sucking the life out of the entire plant because it will destroy your veggies. I'm sooooo sorry! If you find a method that is awesomely successful, let us know.
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
the "Purple Thistle" http://www.ceejay48.etsy.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
Edited by - ceejay48 on Jul 19 2012 05:49:20 AM |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
3794 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
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Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 8:42:11 PM
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LOL! Oh, Suzanne... I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone - and that my husband isn't the only one shaking his head lately! LOL! He's been very supportive and does whatever I ask, I'm blessed. Even though he behaves as though he's incredulous about my "mothering" my garden, he always tells me he compares notes with guys at work.. and he always seems to swell a little bit with pride when he shares what we have learned. ;) Plus, when there's good stuff on the table, he's a very happy camper. I'll bear with the funny looks, because deep down, I know he's "with" me, and he's proud of me! :) We BOTH sure have had some challenges this year, haven't we? Eghads! I will definitely simply pitch the infected plant material. I don't want to take any chances - thank you!!! And I'll try the tobasco, too... at the end of the day/early evening! Thank you!!!
Paula - that is really great insight! Thank you! I never thought about it like that before, but you're right! I'll be really careful around the flowers - THANK YOU!!!
Oh! CJ! No garden this year?! That must be killing you!!! Thank goodness for Farmer's Markets - you still have hope for wholesome, fresh and organic!!!! :) I promise, I won't use the infected plant material for my compost... I'll dispose of it! Thank you for letting me know! It's a bit hard to take that we may end up having to scrap some of these GORGEOUS plants, but we'll do what we have to do for the sake of the others! It's all good - it's a learning experience, right? ;)
By the end of the day, it's looking pretty sad out there. I did, however, find two patty-pans hidden under some still healthy, very green leaves, and am very excited to be able to try them!!! The sad thing is, though, that suddenly as of today, my pumpkin leaves seem to all be turning paper bag brown and very dry... I see some pumpkins out there, but have no idea what their fate may be. I called three County Extensions looking for help, but the master gardeners are all "out" until next Monday (conference, maybe?). Made me want to cry. It also seems as if my garden has fallen asleep - suddenly very few fruits, very few flowers. And my tomatoes on the deck have end blossom rot. Ugh. What a nasty, unpleasant surprise. I don't know what's happening. It's like everything is hitting all at once. I'm going to add some more compost to everything tomorrow and then some fertilizer, and maybe even some eggshells for the container tomatoes, too, and see what happens. I'm not too far off from planting for fall crops, either... kind of a bummer <sigh>. When it rains, it pours, I suppose. It'll be fine - even if we only get a very small harvest, it's still all-organic, it's still all mine - the fruits of our own labor. Even one good fruit is a success in my book! Remember, after all - they used to call me the "Al Capone of Green Thumbs!" LOL!!! I'll just have to try harder and be even MORE diligent next year. I haven't given up yet on this year's garden, either - don't worry! We'll just keep plugging along and see what happens! It's worth every breath, every strain and every drop of sweat running down the brow! :)
Thanks again - all of you - for all your help! I could never do this without you, you'll never know! :)
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
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Posted - Jul 21 2012 : 1:28:40 PM
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My mother always marveled at how squash bugs can just appear overnight. They don't live here fortunately like a lot of other bugs that live elsewhere. I did have to deal with them when I lived in Texas and I just used pesticide and it worked really well. However if one does not want to use pesticide I wonder if putting a turkey or a goose in the garden for a while might get rid of a lot of them? I don't know if you live somewhere that you could borrow one or if you have one but it may be worth a try? Geese are pretty good about not bothering garden plants but I have seen them poke at a squash or two a few times. However I don't know if they would really like the bugs either but I bet a turkey would.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm
4496 Posts
Kristina
NW
Ohio
USA
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Farmer Judy
True Blue Farmgirl
411 Posts
Judy
North Aurora
IL
USA
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Posted - Jul 21 2012 : 8:07:43 PM
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I had read about this and tried it this year. I threw some radishes in with the squash and no bugs this year...yea!
Try it, it is not too late to plant radishes.
God bless,
Judy
Farmgirl #3666
Born a city girl but a farm girl at heart!
http://farmtimes.blogspot.com/ |
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chickenmom
True Blue Farmgirl
60 Posts
Toni
Tucumcari
NM
USA
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Posted - Jul 29 2012 : 8:18:07 PM
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I only have a couple of plants, I've checked them daily. I get rid of whatever eggs I find and I keep a large cup of soapy water in the bed, as I find bugs I pick them off and throw them in the cup. So far I've been able to keep up with them. I'm going to try radishes though, I've heard elsewhere that this works. Good luck!
Toni |
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Kammi
True Blue Farmgirl
101 Posts
Kim
Phoenix
Az
USA
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Posted - Jul 30 2012 : 1:46:32 PM
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| I am having the same problem, last year I had the biggest crop of zucchini, with absolutly no bugs. The largest zucchini was 18" long and 6 inches round. And they were growing so fast, could not pick them fast enough. I was giving them away to friends and family. The largest leaf was almost 20 inches across. This year I get the darn bugs and they have totally decimated my plants. I am going to use the soap and Tabasco spray. Hope it works for me. |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
3794 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
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Posted - Aug 04 2012 : 10:15:41 AM
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Thank you, Judy! Actually, that was me that had suggested the radishes last year, and I did the same this year - even planting extras! I've still left many of them in the ground, quite a few are even bigger than beets right now! But they didn't work this year - at least not as well as last. The squash bugs have just taken over. And my neighbor sprays with chemicals, so I'm sure they just all headed right over to my organic oasis, you know? Ah, well... I still think the radishes are a great idea! Maybe if I stay ahead of the bugs next year, I'll have more success! But thank you!!!! :)
I'm so sorry to hear you've got them, too, Kim. Everything I've read is says the key is to stay ahead of them - "an ounce of prevention," you know???
I've tried everything short of chemicals. Ended up pulling up almost all the affected plant material, then spraying with organic insecticidal soap. Even things that were thriving are now dying... Although, now I've got new growth in my patty pans and acorn squash... Still holding out hope! :) Today, after the heat of the sun, we'll be in the garden with our mid-summer planting. Even though the squash were a huge disappointment, there are still plenty of good things out there, and, hopefully, more to come this fall! :) Thanks so much for your help, girls! I'm definitely going to use the flour and pepper next year, Kristi - the flour works wonders against slugs when sprinkled on the ground, so I'm hoping your mixture will do the same for the squash! I am not allowed any type of fowl or livestock in town - BUMMER!!! I would LOVE to have a couple of chickens, but I just can't! SO sad!! Lesson learned, I suppose...
I am wondering - do you know if lady bugs eat the squash bug larvae? I have been told conflicting information... I'm really considering just buying some to see what they'll do!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Garden Gate: Help! Squash Bugs! |
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Help! Squash Bugs!
