How To Kill Squash Bugs Naturally? [10 Natural Remedies for Squash Bugs]
Squash bugs are relatively large, brown insects that affect squash and pumpkin plants. If you have a vegetable garden, you will likely encounter these insects at one point, because they are quite common and very destructive.
The adult squash bugs suck on leaf sap, which causes the plants to die. If there is a squash bug infestation in your garden, they can destroy the plants in no time.
Therefore, it’s very important to get rid of squash bugs from your garden as soon as possible. This article lists some of the best natural ways to get rid of squash bugs.
How To Get Rid of Squash Bugs Naturally?
Below are10 effective natural ways to get rid of squash bugs. These methods include homemade squash bug spray, natural repellents and several other natural remedies for squash bugs.
1. Handpick Squash Bugs
One of the best methods for getting rid of squash bugs is by handpicking them and drowning them in soapy water.
Pesticides are not very effective against squash bugs, so this method is much better.
This method takes some time and effort, but it is very effective, especially against a smaller infestation.
Required Items
- Dish soap
- Gardening gloves
- Bucket
- Water
Step by Step Process
- Put 2 to 3 gallons of water in a bucket and mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap into it.
- Wear a gardening glove before picking the insects from the plants.
- Turn over each leaf on your squash and pumpkin plants to check if there is a squash bug.
- If you find a bug, you should pick it up and drop it into the bucket.
- You should also squash any eggs or nymphs you find on the leaves.
- Repeat the process for the next 2 to 3 days until all the bugs are gone.
Precautions
You must pick the insects for a few days in a row to ensure that all of them are gone.
2. Insecticidal Soap to control squash bugs naturally
Squash bugs are not easily affected by regular insecticides, so an insecticidal soap is a great alternative.
Although it cannot get rid of all the adult squash bugs, it can get rid of all the eggs and nymphs.
This method helps reduce the squash bug population in your garden without harming the plants.
Required Items
- Insecticidal soap
- Water
- Garden sprayer
Step by Step Process
- In a spray can add 1 gallon of water with 1 tablespoon of insecticidal soap.
- Close the can and mix everything thoroughly before using it.
- Spray the mixture directly on the squash and pumpkin patch.
- Use the sprayer to get underneath the leaves as well.
- Any squash bug nymph and egg will die with the spray. Some of the adults will also die.
- You can repeat the process after 3 to 4 days if required.
Precautions
This method cannot get rid of all the adult squash bugs, so you must combine it with other methods for the best results.
3. Neem oil as a natural repellent for squash bugs
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that is used for getting rid of various insects including squash bugs.
The neem oil is toxic to the eggs and nymphs of the squash bugs, so they will die immediately on contact.
The adult bugs may not die on contact, but the smell of the neem may deter them away from your plants.
Required Items
- Neem oil
- Dish soap
- Garden sprayer
Step by Step Process
- Put a gallon of water in a spray can and add 1 tablespoon of neem oil and 1 teaspoon of dish soap.
- Mix the liquids thoroughly before using them in your garden.
- Spray the mixture over your squash and pumpkin patch thoroughly.
- Use a spray attachment to get underneath each leaf to get rid of the nymphs and eggs.
- Repeat the spraying process after 2 to 3 days.
Precautions
You may have to repeat the process a few times to get rid of all the adult squash bugs.
4. Pyrethrin to kill squash bugs naturally
Pyrethrin is an organic pesticide derived from chrysanthemum plants.
It can kill several insects on contact including squash bugs.
Although adult squash bugs are harder to kill, this insecticide can effectively get rid of them after a few treatments.
Required Items
- Pyrethrin concentrate
- Dish soap
- Water
- Garden sprayer
Step by Step Process
- Combine 1 gallon of water with 3 tablespoons of pyrethrin concentrate in a garden spraying can.
- Add 2 tablespoons of dish soap into the mixture as well. Mix everything thoroughly before using it.
- Spray the mixture directly on the squash bugs, nymphs, and eggs. Try to get under each leaf, since squash bugs usually hide there.
- Any squash bug that comes in contact with the mixture will die.
Precautions
Pyrethrin can also kill other beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs, so you should use this method sparingly.
5. Diatomaceous earth powder to deter squash bugs
Diatomaceous earth is a powder that is commonly used for getting rid of various soft-bodied insects.
The powder is fine to the touch but it has microscopic shards that pierce the skin of the insect and dehydrate them to death.
Although this method is not ideal for adult squash bugs, it is a good method for getting rid of squash bug eggs and nymphs.
Required Items
- Diatomaceous earth powder
- Applicator
Step by Step Process
- Start by identifying the leaves that have been affected by the squash bugs.
- Use an applicator to dust the diatomaceous earth powder directly on the eggs and the nymphs.
- Make sure to dust the powder on the bottom of the leaves as well.
- If there is rain, or if the powder washes off, you must re-apply it.
Precautions
Diatomaceous earth cannot get rid of adult squash bugs, so you must use this method along with other methods.
6. Duct tape natural deterrent for squash bugs
Duct tape is very sticky, so you can easily use it to handpick squash bug eggs and nymphs.
This method involves using duct tape to catch a large number of eggs and nymphs at once.
You may be able to use this method to catch adult bugs as well. While this method is tedious, it is extremely effective in a small garden.
Required Items
Step by Step Process
- Check over and under every leaf of your squash and pumpkin plants to find squash bug eggs.
- Cut 2 to 3 inches of duct tape and hold the sticky side out using two hands.
- Use the sticky tape to catch the clusters of eggs and nymphs from the leaves.
- Once you have collected a few eggs and nymphs, you can fold the piece of sticky tape and squish the eggs.
- If you find any adult squash bugs, you can use this method to catch them too.
Precautions
This method can only get rid of squash bug eggs and nymphs, but it cannot get rid of adult bugs. So, you must use this method with other methods for the best results.
7. Trap Crop
Trap cropping is a common method used in large-scale organic farming. This method involves the use of a trap crop or sacrificial crop.
Once you plant the trap crop, the insects will attack the trap plants, but they won’t be interested in your other plants.
So, it is a very efficient method of getting rid of squash bugs on a large scale.
Required Items
- Blue hubbard squash plants
- Row covers (optional)
Step by Step Process
- Plant the blue hubbard squash plants about two weeks before planting your actual crops.
- Once the trap crop has grown in size, you can plant your pumpkin and other squash plants. Make sure to plant them a bit further away.
- The squash bugs will attack the blue hubbard squash plants, but they will not bother your other squash plants.
- You can also use row covers to protect your squash and pumpkin plants during this time.
Precautions
This method cannot get rid of all the squash bugs, so you should use this method in conjunction with other methods for the best results.
8. Tachinid flies
Tachinid flies are beneficial insects that can kill various pests like squash bugs. These flies parasitize the squash bugs by laying eggs inside them.
When the egg matures, a Tachinid fly emerges from within the squash bug, thus killing the bug.
Therefore, these flies are great to have in your squash and pumpkin patch. This is a very effective method for getting rid of squash bugs from smaller and bigger gardens.
Required Items
- Tachinid flies
Step by Step Process
- After you have planted your squash or pumpkin plants, you can immediately release a swarm of adult Tachinid flies into the garden.
- Plant various nectar-producing flower plants around your garden to encourage their growth.
- The flies will start parasitizing the squash bugs in your garden within a few days.
- Most of the squash bugs and their nymphs will die soon afterward.
Precautions
Do not use any pesticide after releasing the Tachinid flies, because pesticides can easily kill them.
9. Squash bug trap
Squash bugs tend to hide under leaves, rocks, and mulch, so it is very easy to trap squash bugs.
If you simply lay out a tile or shingle under your squash plants, the insects will gather underneath.
Then you can squash them to get rid of them.
Required Items
- Shingles or tiles
Step by Step Process
- Put down a few small rocks under each of your squash plants.
- Keep tiles or shingles over the rocks, with at least an inch of space underneath each of them.
- Leave them overnight and come back to check on them early in the morning the next day.
- Gently remove the tile or shingle to check if there are any squash bugs. If there are any bugs, you can squish them using another time.
- Repeat the process for a few days to reduce the population of the squash bugs.
Precautions
This method cannot get rid of all the bugs, so you should always use another method with this method for the best results.
10. Peppermint Oil Spray
Peppermint oil has a strong smell which helps repel various insects including squash bugs.
While peppermint oil cannot kill adult squash bugs, it can kill the eggs and nymphs on contact.
You can easily make a peppermint spray at home using peppermint concentrate.
Required Items
- Peppermint concentrate
- Water
- Dish soap
- Garden sprayer
Step by Step Process
- In a spray container combine 1 gallon of water with 1/4th cup of peppermint concentrate.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dish soap into the mixture and mix it well.
- Spray the mixture on the squash and pumpkin plants. Make sure to spray the mixture underneath the leaves as well.
- Repeat the spraying process every 3 to 4 days to keep the squash bugs away.
Precautions
This method will only repel the squash bugs, but it cannot kill them completely. Therefore, you should spray the mixture every few weeks to keep them away.
Natural Ways to Prevent Squash Bugs
1. Remove any old squash plants
Squash bugs don’t die in the winter, unlike many other insects. They usually hide underneath the squash plant leaves during winter and become active again during fall.
If you don’t remove the squash plants, they will reproduce again in summer and destroy your next crop. Therefore, you should always remove any squash or pumpkin plants after harvest. You may also burn them to prevent a future infestation.
2. Use insect netting
Young squash and pumpkin plants are more susceptible to squash bug damage than older ones.
So when you plant new squash plants, you can use insect netting to cover the plants. You can remove the netting for a few hours every day during the flowering period for pollination.
3. Use a companion crop
Squash and pumpkin plants are crawlers, so they usually spread through a large area in a garden. As the plant spreads, it becomes an easy target for the squash bugs.
Therefore, it is recommended to use a companion crop along with squash or pumpkin plants, such as marigold, garlic, calendula, catnip, etc. Squash bugs don’t like to smell of these plants, so when you plant them in-between, the bugs will avoid your squash plants as well.
4. Clean your garden in the fall
The squash bugs will go into hiding after summer to get ready for the winter season. If you don’t clean up your garden during this time, they may hide behind other plants, weeds, and rocks.
Doing a thorough garden cleaning during fall is recommended for the effective prevention of squash bugs in the next season. You should also kill any squash bugs you find during this time.
Top 5 Best Natural Repellents for Squash Bugs
Final Words:
Adult squash bugs are extremely hard to kill since they can hide under leaves and move fast. Therefore, the treatment for this bug focuses primarily on getting rid of the eggs and nymphs.
It is also very important to take preventative measures after the season to ensure that the bugs don’t return the next year. The natural methods listed in this article will help you effectively get rid of and prevent squash bugs from your vegetable garden.
