Released July 31, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Their name itself suggests a good way to control the big, gray, shield-shaped squash bugs that often become the bane of vegetable gardens as summer heats up.

The pests’ goal in life is to suck plants dry, especially squash and pumpkin vines. Squash bugs sometimes reach that goal, too, by building huge populations in the final months of the growing season, said Jennifer Smith, horticulturist with Kansas State University Research and Extension.

Each female can lay up to 600 eggs, Smith explained. And, generations of the bugs can overlap.

“By early to mid August, the same plant can be hosting eggs, nymphs and egg-laying adults,” she said. “But, the newly hatched nymphs – which look like miniature, but more lightly colored adults – are the only growth stage that will be vulnerable then to insecticide sprays.”

The bugs’ pinhead-size, orange to brown eggs are impervious to sprays. As the hatched nymphs grow to three-fourths inch long, their bodies also harden to the point that insecticides can’t affect them

Even so, the real key to controlling squash bugs is to check plants early and often, looking on the undersides of each leaf, Smith said. If possible, also get rid of the bugs found – immediately and on-site.

In keeping with their name, the control for the eggs and adults is to “squash ‘em,” she added.

“Just remember that even if your plants survive, squash bug feeding can reduce yields and fruit quality,” Smith said. “When I have any doubts about stomping on these little creatures, I just think about zucchini, fresh off the grill with a little olive oil, or a succulent spaghetti squash, coming out of the oven.”

For gardeners who want to control just-hatched nymphs with an insecticide, the horticulturist advises reading labels carefully and finding a product that’s safe for the infested plant species and will control immature squash bugs. Then, closely follow the selected product’s label instructions.

“You’ll need to spray plants thoroughly, perhaps repeatedly to reach the tiny nymphs,” she said.

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http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/story/briefs073108.aspx

Contact: Mary Lou Peter-Blecha, mlpeter@ksu.edu