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Growing your own vegetable garden can be a great way to save money and know you are feeding your family safe and organic produce. A squash bug infestation can waste hours of hard work and money invested into your garden destroying healthy plants. One of the easiest ways to keep them from your young plants is to get a good companion plant. So let's look at what plants repel squash bugs.

What are Squash Bugs

Squash bugs are one of the most devastating pests that can affect a squash plant, pumpkins, cucumbers and watermelons. The adult bugs are about 1/2 inch long, dark brown or black in color, and have a flat, oval-shaped body. They lay their eggs on the underside of squash leaves, and the nymphs that hatch are bright yellow or green with black stripes. These nymphs mature into adults within 4-6 weeks, and can quickly lay hundreds of eggs. Squash bugs feed on the sap of squash plants, causing the plants to wilt and die. In addition, they can transmit a number of plant diseases. To control squash bugs, it is important to inspect your plants regularly and remove any egg masses that you find. You can also trap adults by placing boards or pieces of cardboard around your squash plants. The bugs will congregate under the boards at night, making them easy to collect and dispose of in the morning. How do you know if your plants have squash bug damage? You will find wilting leaves that dry up and turn black because they are not getting proper nourishment. The leaves and stems may have holes and your plants may even die. The best way to combat these bugs is to keep them away from the beginning. You can use companion planting to create a natural deterrent.

Do squash bugs eat tomatoes?

Squash bugs are a common garden pest that can cause serious damage to squash and pumpkin plants. They feed on the leaves and stems of the plant, and can quickly weaken and kill the plant. While squash bugs will eat most types of squash, they seem to prefer pumpkins and cucumbers. Tomatoes are not a preferred food source for squash bugs, but they will eat them if they are available. If you have a problem with squash bugs in your garden, it is important to take steps to control them. Otherwise, they can quickly destroy your crops.

How do you keep squash bugs away naturally:

Many gardeners have to deal with squash bugs at some point. These pests can quickly decimate a squash plant, and they're difficult to get rid of once they've taken hold. However, there are some natural ways to keep them away. 

Will vinegar get rid of squash bugs?

While there are a number of chemical treatments available, many gardeners prefer to use more natural methods. One home remedy that's often touted as an effective way to control squash bugs is vinegar. Vinegar is thought to disrupt the bugs' sense of smell, making it harder for them to find their way around. It can also kill them on contact. To use vinegar as a Squash Bug treatment, mix one part vinegar with ten parts water in a spray bottle and apply it to the plants weekly. You may need to experiment to find the right ratio of vinegar to water, as too much vinegar can damage the plants. If you're not seeing results after a few weeks, it's time to try another method.

Will coffee grounds keep squash bugs away?

One popular home remedy is to sprinkle coffee grounds around the base of the plant. The theory is that the caffeine in the coffee will deter the squash bugs. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. However, some gardeners swear by it, so it may be worth a try if you're struggling with squash bugs in your garden.

Will netting stop squash bugs?

One way to control squash bugs is to place netting over the plants. The netting will prevent the adults from laying eggs on the plants, and it will also keep the nymphs from feeding on the leaves. However, netting alone will not completely eliminate squash bugs. You will need to check the netting regularly and remove any bugs that have gotten inside. 

What beneficial bugs will deter squash bugs?

Ladybugs are well-known for their ability to eat aphids and other small insects. Green lacewings are also effective against squash bugs, as they will prey on both the adults and the nymphs. Finally, minute pirate bugs are another beneficial insect that can help to control squash bug populations. By attracting these predators to your garden, you can take a proactive step in the fight against squash bugs.

What Plants Repel Squash Bugs

If you're a gardener, you know that pests can wreak havoc on your plants. One of the most destructive pests is the squash bug. These little creatures can devastate a crop of squash or pumpkins in no time. Fortunately, there are a few plants that repel squash bugs. Make sure you aren't planting where pumpkins or squash just were last year, keep this in mind for your crop rotation. You may need to add some food grade diatomaceous earth to the top of the soil as well. Then clear out any adult squash bugs, checking under any wood, plant debris or other materials on the ground since they like to hide. Then try planting varieties of catnip, tansy, radishes, nasturtiums, marigolds, petunias, bee balm and mint. Here in the Midwest we can often find some great sales on marigolds, so keep this list handy when you watch for plants going on sale you might be able to get these companion plants at a great price.

Will Dill keep squash bugs away?

Dill is a common herb that has a strong, distinctive flavor. It's often used in pickling and canning recipes, as well as in salads and other dishes. Dill also has a long history of being used for medicinal purposes. Some people believe that dill can help to repel insects, including squash bugs. The Tachinid Fly is attracted to the nectar of dill flowers and they enjoy eating squash bugs. Squash bugs are attracted to the smell of cucumbers, and dill shares a similar scent. In addition, dill is a member of the Apiaceae family, which also includes celery, fennel, and caraway. These plants have been shown to repel other pests, such as aphids and cabbage loopers. While more research is needed to confirm whether or not dill is effective against squash bugs, it can't hurt to plant some in your garden just in case.

Will marigolds prevent squash bugs?

Marigolds are often grown in gardens because they are thought to repel pests. While they will not outright prevent squash bugs, planting marigolds near your squash plants may help to keep the bugs at bay. Squash bugs are attracted to the odor of squash plants, but they are deterred by the smell of marigolds. As a result, marigolds can act as a sort of perimeter defense, making it less likely for squash bugs to find their way to your plants. In addition, squash bugs are also repelled by the color orange, so planting orange marigolds may be especially effective in preventing them from taking up residence in your garden. While marigolds will not guarantee a pest-free garden, they can be a helpful tool in the fight against squash bugs. 

Do petunias keep squash bugs away?

While there are many different ways to control squash bugs, some gardeners swear by petunias. These colorful flowers are not only beautiful, but they also release a chemical that repels squash bugs. In addition, petunias help to attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, which prey on squash bugs. While petunias will not eliminate all squash bugs from your garden, they can help to reduce their population. As an added bonus, your garden will look lovely when planted with these vibrant flowers.

Do nasturtiums keep squash bugs away?

Nasturtiums are a common garden plant that is known for its brightly colored flowers. These flowers are often used in salads or as a garnish, but they can also serve a more practical purpose. According to some gardeners, nasturtiums help to keep squash bugs away from other plants. Squash bugs are a common garden pest that can damage squash plants. They are attracted to the smell of nasturtiums, and so planting these flowers near squash plants can help to keep them away. Nasturtiums are not the only plant that repels squash bugs, but they are one of the most effective. In addition, they are easy to grow and require very little care. As a result, they make an excellent addition to any garden that is susceptible to squash bug infestations.

Do radishes deter squash bugs?

White Icicle Radishes are one of the most popular plants to repel squash bugs. You will want to plant these around your squash plants but plant them about 2 weeks before the squash.

Do onions repel squash bugs?

Some people make their own spray using onions or garlic and they say it helps repel the bugs, so it is also thought that maybe if you plant onions and garlic nearby you can achieve the same effect to deter these garden pests.

If you really want to know what plants repel squash bugs we really aren't too convinced that onion or garlic will. But if you are growing some and see a connection let us know what works for your garden.

Aside from knowing what plants repel squash bugs you can try a few other natural deterrents.

Homemade Squash Bug Killer Spray

One of the most common gardening pests is the squash bug. These bugs can quickly decimate a crop of squash, causing frustration for gardeners of all levels of experience. While there are many chemical pesticides on the market that can kill squash bugs, these products can also be harmful to other beneficial insects and even people. A safer and more natural alternative is to make a homemade spray using dawn dish soap and water. To make the spray, simply mix 2 tablespoons soap to 1 gallon of water in a spray bottle and apply it to the bugs and their eggs. The soap will dry out and suffocate the bugs and kill them quickly. For best results, spray early in the morning or late in the evening when the bugs are active. This homemade spray is safe to use around children and pets and will not harm other helpful insects.

Once you start spotting these little buggers make sure you check the undersides of leaves each day. Removing adults can stop that life cycle before they leave egg clusters on your beautiful squash plants. Watch for the young squash bugs or squash bug nymphs. They have gray or black legs and they stay in groups, they almost look like ants with little green abdomen. If you can make direct contact with a natural pesticide you can clear out a group at once. Your goal is to kill them before they mature to adults and can lay eggs. If you are looking to spot squash bug eggs they look like tiny, brown or golden unpopped popcorn kernels. Early detection can save you countless plants and time in your growing season.

Row Covers can also help save your plants.

It is important to keep the plants covered until the flowers on the plants bloom. They keep the bugs from actually getting to the plant and the flowers for pollination. We can see how the covers used to protect plants from bad weather can also keep off the squash pest.

Consider these tips if you have problems with cucumber beetles, stink bugs or other pests. One of our goals is to grow healthy food in a natural way, but we also don't like wasting money. Protecting your investment in your garden is crucial. Now that you know what plants repel squash bugs we wish you a successful garden season!