How to Get Rid of Squash Bugs
A flat, grayish-brown bug that sucks sap from squash and pumpkin vines, causing leaves to wilt and turn crispy. Clusters of bronze eggs appear on leaf undersides. If you are seeing them in gardens and on plants, the steps below will help you clear them out and keep them from coming back.
Quick answer
- Scrape egg clusters off leaves every few days
- Lay a board near plants overnight and destroy the bugs underneath in the morning
- Use row covers until flowering and clean up vines in fall
Squash bugs don't harm people; they can wipe out squash and pumpkin plants.
Confirm you have squash bugs
Before you treat anything, make sure you are really dealing with squash bugs. Adults measure 14–16 mm (up to about 0.63 in) and are usually brown and gray. Look for these features:
- Flattened, dull gray-brown body
- Orange and brown striped abdomen edges
- Bronze egg clusters in a diamond pattern under leaves
They are most often confused with brown marmorated stink bug and western conifer seed bug. See the full squash bug profile for side-by-side details.
Why you have squash bugs
Squash Bugs are drawn to the specific plants they feed on and multiply quickly in warm weather. Planting the same crop in the same bed each year makes outbreaks worse. Broad-spectrum sprays can kill the predators that would otherwise keep them in check. They are most active in summer, so expect to see more of them then.
When you'll see squash bugs
Squash Bugs are most active in summer. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly.
Typical places to check: garden or plants.
Step-by-step: getting rid of squash bugs
Step 1: Scrape egg clusters off leaves every few days
Scrape egg clusters off leaves every few days. Combine this with the other steps rather than relying on it alone.
Step 2: Lay a board near plants overnight
Lay a board near plants overnight and destroy the bugs underneath in the morning. Repeat this for at least two to three weeks, since eggs and hidden insects keep appearing for a while.
Step 3: Use row covers until flowering
Use row covers until flowering and clean up vines in fall. This is the step most people skip, and it is the one that makes the biggest difference.
Natural and low-toxicity options
These methods work well alongside the steps above and keep chemical use to a minimum:
- Hand-pick pests or knock them into a bucket of soapy water.
- Use floating row covers as a physical barrier.
- Attract beneficial insects with flowering herbs such as dill, yarrow and alyssum.
- Try insecticidal soap, neem oil or Bt products labeled for this pest, following the label.
If you do use a pesticide, choose one labeled for this pest and the place you're treating, and follow the label exactly. The label is the law.
When to call a professional
Most home gardens can handle squash bugs without a professional. Contact your local cooperative extension office if damage is severe or you can't confirm the pest.
How to keep squash bugs from coming back
- Rotate crops and clean up plant debris at the end of the season.
- Inspect plants weekly, especially leaf undersides.
- Keep plants healthy with proper watering and spacing.
- Encourage birds, ladybugs, lacewings and parasitic wasps.
Safety notes
Squash bugs don't harm people; they can wipe out squash and pumpkin plants.
Keep children and pets away from any traps, baits or treated areas.
About true bugs
The squash bug is one of the true bugs. True bugs have piercing, straw-like mouthparts used to suck plant sap or, in a few species, blood. They develop through gradual metamorphosis: nymphs look like small, wingless adults and molt several times as they grow. Many release strong odors from scent glands when threatened.
Because nymphs look like adults, you'll often see mixed sizes of the same bug together, which is a good sign that a population is breeding nearby.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to get rid of squash bugs?
Scrape egg clusters off leaves every few days. Most people see a clear drop in activity within one to three weeks when they combine this with sealing entry points and removing whatever attracts them.
Are squash bugs dangerous?
Squash bugs don't harm people; they can wipe out squash and pumpkin plants.
When are squash bugs most active?
Squash Bugs are most active in summer.
What do squash bugs look like?
Flattened, dull gray-brown body. Adults measure 14–16 mm (up to about 0.63 in).