Squash bug on a winter squash leaf in my Arkansas garden
Human child next to infected patch of winter squash
My winter squash plants are being attacked!
Squash bug nymphs on dead leaf
Squash bug nymphs
Squash bug nymph looking for refuge on a squash leaf
Soft, white, squash bug nymph
Squash bug eggs on underside of winter squash leaf
Squash bug eggs
Squash bug adult
Squash bug adult
How to Kill Squash Bugs Organically
The video below shows an organic way to kill squash bugs and cucumber beetles, using dish soap. It’s amazing how fast it works! [ Credit: georgem21275 ]
I tried this and it works! Fast! I just used dish soap mixed with water and poured it over a gathering of squash bugs and they were all paralyzed within seconds. It was just a little soap and mostly water, shaken up.
How does dish soap kill bugs?
The soap suffocates them. These insects breath through their outer covering and not through their mouth. Air enters the insect’s body through valve-like openings in the exoskeleton. [ source ] A soapy liquid covering their body clogs up these openings, preventing Oxygen from entering their bodies.
Other Common Squash Pests
The video below shows several of the common insect pests on squash plants. [ Credit: NMSU ]
Conclusion
You can combat squash bugs with a small amount of cheap dishwashing liquid and water, which is also fairly harmless to our environment.
Cindi says:
THANK YOU – I hate these bugs…they are eating everything!
July 20, 2011, 2:48 pmCindi says:
I went outside after watching this and sprayed a couple of beetles. They died instantly. Thank you! A little Dawn and some water did the trick. Hope the plants are OK.
July 20, 2011, 4:10 pmEarl says:
I’m glad it worked for you. I never saw plant damage from soap. But if you get concerned about it, you could wash them off by spraying some clean water over the plants to remove the soap. I hope your garden produces good fruit.
July 20, 2011, 4:58 pmJudy says:
Thank YOU so much for the advise… Seven Dust just wasnt killing them and It was getting quite expensive. THANKS again, appreciate it.
August 4, 2011, 7:29 pmEarl says:
Thanks for your feedback.
August 4, 2011, 7:33 pmTeri says:
Thank you very much for this info. I have tried Sevendust (powder and spray) and it has not worked. I have thousands of squash bugs this year. It is amazing how many there are. I am going to try dishsoap right now.
August 15, 2011, 1:15 pmThanks again!!
ed bass says:
Does the black red headed beatle attack evergreen shrubs?
January 15, 2012, 2:41 pmEarl says:
I do not know about that. Sorry.
January 16, 2012, 12:33 pm