A couple of months ago, in our little fenced-in suburban yard, we noticed some rogue squash-like leaves popping up out of the ground. Intrigued, we mowed around them and let them grow. We guessed: cucumbers? Squash? We have a raised-bed garden, so we figured some birds might have dropped some seeds from something we were already growing. We were so surprised to discover that we had our very own pumpkin patch — just in time for fall!
We watched with delight as the plants grew and elongated over the ground… yellow flowers soon popped up and we knew the pumpkins were on their way. We even had fun watching the bees pollinating the flowers — the whole patch was a busy little pumpkin factory!
Imagine our consternation, then, when suddenly our plants began to wilt. No holes appeared in the leaves, no obvious sign of infestation — just droopy, sad-looking leaves. We watered; no change. We hadn't even planned this little pumpkin patch, but now that we were in danger of losing it, we were worried. Finally I decided to investigate, and looked up every single insect I found lurking nearby.
Now, I'm no farmer; I'm not even close to being an expert on gardening or pests. I am new to the whole experience, so I'm learning as I go. But imagine my surprise when I discovered that the problem was right in front of me all along — what I thought were stinkbugs! Apparently the little "stinkbugs" I thought were harmless were actually squash bugs, and they are lethal to squash and pumpkin vines.
They use their little needle-like mouth to pierce the vines of the plant and suck out the sap. They like to hide in tall grass or mulch underneath the plant, and can also be found underneath the leaves.
I learned that to prevent a squash bug infestation, it's important to keep the vines off the ground, but for us it was too late for that. So we cropped the grass short underneath the vines, and began the battle against the squash bugs. I donned a pair of gloves and hand-picked the bugs off the plants, and threw them into a bucket of soapy water. I also scraped their little metallic-colored eggs off of the leaves as well.
Our infestation was already so advanced that we also resorted to pesticide application around the vines and at the bottom of the plants — we learned that a substance with either diatomaceous earth or pyrethrin would be effective, and so far we seem to be winning the battle!
So if you've got pumpkins or winter squash, and if you're excited about it like I am — and especially if you're as new to gardening as I am — beware the squash bug! This little bug now resides in my mental catalog of pests to avoid, and I'll be forewarned and ready to do battle with them next season.
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THANK YOU!!
I have wondered what was killing my squash -- was I overwatering, underwatering, too much sun, not enough sun??
But I definately noticed those 'stinkbugs' and thought they were harmless.
My two squash plants are too far gone now, but now I am no longer afraid to try again next year.
You are lucky to have a rouge pumpkin plant! I actually plant seeds in an effort to grow pumpkins and it is a very long and frustrating process. Usually I start too late and they are still small and green by the time Halloween rolls around. This is the first year I decided not to do it and as much as I love pumpkins, I must admit it's been a less stressful summer!
I too noticed those little bugs on my plants when I was growing them. I was always more concerned about squirrels and chipmunks gnawing at my pumpkins then little bugs so I never took any steps to eradicate them. Luckily they didn't cause any extreme damage in past years but if I ever try to grow pumpkins again, now I know what to do! Thanks!
ANYTHING!! to save a pumpkin patch!!
I had four rogue gourd vines this year, scions of the two I had last year. Chipmunks planted seeds from the gourds I'd set out in 2010, and up came a crop in 2011. More sprung up in 2012 from the seeds of those. Next year I'm going to choose where my volunteers come up, though, because the vines climb on everything.
It wouldn't be too late to slide some cardboard or planks under the leaves and the pumpkins to raise them a bit off the ground. My neighbors (experienced gardeners) have done this with their squash plants, which I have been watering while they are on vacation. The plants are really healthy. I've been wondering what the point was.
I've never had a squash self-start, but every year we have a couple of tomato plants that grown right from our compost. We are excited this year, because we have a brandywine heritage tomato growing there.
Lucky you to have caught it in time.
My entire crop of squash was devoured by the squash borer beetle in 3 days. It went from a huge plant of squash to yellow and wilted leaves with the main stems hollowed out. I won't even get into cucumber beetles. I tried to save them but mine was so gone.
Squash bugs are tough to do battle with. Kudos for fighting the good fight!
Actually, though, those supposedly harmless stinkbugs, if they're the brown marmorated variety that look similar to squash bugs, would just as soon eat your squash as anything else, and can suck a thumb-sized hole in a tomato, as well, so if you see one in your garden, it's worth killing on sight.
The best way to deal with squash bugs and stinkbugs in the garden is to find and destroy their leathery eggs first, which they lay on the undersides of leaves in orderly, easily identifiable groupings.
Also, if you saw whole vines drooping at once, it's likely you had a squash vine borer problem, as well. Squash vine borers are much more disgusting and harder to deal with than squash bugs. They come from a moth that lays microscopic eggs all along the vine that hatch into caterpillars that immediately burrow into the vine and become big, white, maggot-like creatures that kill the plant invisibly, from within.
The only way to find a squash vine borer is by looking for a hole dripping with its scat, which oozes out as a yellowy substance. Then you have to slash carefully into the vine lengthwise with a razor, doing as little harm to the vine as possible, and extract the creature. And even then, the vine usually dies.
I did this for several years before deciding that growing squash was just too problematic in my area.
I've never had success with diatomaceous earth for pests. Neem oil helps. Trapping (boards on the ground or newspaper rolls) works if you are dedicated about gathering up the critters.
Be aware that the bugs can spread disease to your plants, not just physical damage.
I once grew a perfectly shaped, gorgeous pumpkin that I watched with anticipation...only to see it deflate suddenly one day. A field mouse had chewed into the bottom of it and hollowed it out. After that I always placed my pumpkins on a grate to protect the bottom.
i've had accidental pumpkins twice in a row, but they aren't producing this year.
Hi--Sarah here--I enjoyed reading such helpful comments and suggestions! I find I am adding to my (very small) catalog of gardening information every year. So far my little pumpkin patch has perked back up and appears healthy, but you can bet I've got a close eye on it! (And I sincerely hope I do not meet with any squash vine borers!)
I've tried for years to grow zucchini or yellow squash. Every year, without fail. the Dreaded Squash Vine Borer shows up. Apparently the grubs overwinter in the soil down here because it doesn't get cold enough to kill them. I can't begin to tell you how much I just LOATHE those things...