57°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

BOB MORRIS: Plant or pick early to avert squash bugs

Question: Every year, my zucchini plants are infested and destroyed by gray-colored beetles. How do I get rid of the beetles?

These are most likely squash bugs. You can plant late, in June, after their infestation time has passed or you can hand-pick them as soon you see them.

You must do this as they appear and get rid of them as soon as you see them. Do this for about three weeks and the numbers will be greatly reduced or eliminated.

Or you can vacuum them with a handheld vacuum cleaner or use pesticides suitable for squash bugs. If you choose to spray, do so very early in the morning or at sunset, when bees are inactive; do not spray plants when in bloom.

Bob Morris is a professor emeritus in horticulture with the University of Nevada and can be reached at extremehort@aol.com. Visit his blog at xtreme
horticulture.blogspot.com.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
MORE STORIES
THE LATEST
Why did my bird of paradise plants quit blooming?

They were in bloom when we planted them five or six years ago, and they bloomed the following year as well. But they have not bloomed again.

What’s the best schedule for drip irrigation?

The correct amount of water to apply depends on the size of the plant and the number of days between irrigations.