I think I have stink bugs eating my zuccinis! They were like little skinny centepedes about 1/2" to an inch long and smelled real funny when I smooshed them into the hell they deserved. Is there a good way to kill them without killing yourself? I got down on all fours for 2 of the plants but I cant be sure I got them all and I got 20 more squash plants to protect.
Please help me
Jack
I dunno, maybe to keep us from being overwhelmed by too squash, cucumbers and melons. Len
I went back down to my plants to get a closer look at my problem and to get a sample of the bugs to bring to a garden center. I then found a diferent bug. At the base of the plants there seemed to be some rotting or damage to the stem. While rooting around in the stem I found a grub about 1/2" long with a black face. I took the bugs in a zip lock to be identified and they told me not to worry about the centipeds. They told me the grub on the other hand was a stem borer and I would have to try to get rid of them by taking a thin wire and following the insects trail into the plant and trying to scure the little bastards to kill them. They also told me that it was a short 2 or 3 week season for these bugs that is running late because of the wierd weather we had in the spring up here in the northeast. Then they said to avoid further infestation I should cover the base af my squash plants with ash or diatomatious earth or even pool sand.
live and learn
Jack
They were like little skinny centepedes about 1/2" to an inch long and smelled
I'm in the northeast too, and we've had a disastrous year: but the zucchini and summer squash are going great guns: NO apparent bug problems so far.
I'll keep a close eye on them for the next couple of weeks. Thanks.
Pat
That sounds more like a millipede. What was the smell? Something along the lines of almond-- or more like pineapple?[my favorite 'stink' bug, which snacks on my maple trees, smells like pineapple-- I never found a squash-eating one, so I don't know what they smell like]
Some millipedes [which won't harm your plants] have an almondy smell.
Squash/Stink bugs, which might, in great numbers, harm your plants, don't look at all like centipedes.
Here are some stats on stinkbugs-
I can send you some if you'd like to participate in the daily battle with them.
Ayup. Squash Vine Borers, my sworn mortal enemies. Between the squash bugs, vine borers, and the cucumber beetles, I've given up feeding them this year.
Dave.
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