Expert: Greg - 12/26/2002

Question
hi greg.thanks for taking the time to look at my question.first of all let me start by saying i am
a novice vegtable gardener and this last summer was my first experience with organic gardening.i had an extremely bad case of squash bugs, i hand picked and sprayed soap but still had mass damage
in my small 20'x60' garden.what can i do now to detour them from coming back?and during the growing season what can be done to get rid of them.                    thanks

Answer
Hello Jason

You are more Professional than you think. Most Gardeners don't have a clue as to what is eating their plants in the Garden

Hand Picking Squash bugs when they are about 3/4" long is the First line of Defense. Also destroying the redish brown egg clusters which appear on the underside of the Leaves is helpful. Another helpful hint is to do the same thing as to rid the Garden of Slugs, Place Rolled up Newspapers with a Rubber Band around them, soaked in water for about an hour, and place them through out the underside of the plants at the Base. In the Morning check under the Newspapers and throw out the bugs which have clung to the wet and moist newspapers.

Planting Marigolds, and Nasturtiums have a Good track record or repeling Squash Bugs. Plant these as close to the Base of the Plant as you can.

Anything you can do, with respect to avoiding Pesticides, is what is warrented here. With these tips, you may not totally eradicate this pest, but it will greatly help

The Very Best of Luck
Greg