RADIO TRANSCRIPT 
Matt Rodriguez
May 3, 2024

Hello, this is Matt Rodriguez, horticulture agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center.

We’re starting to plant summer vegetables now in Burke County. If you have squash and cucumbers in the garden, it’s time to start keeping an eye out for squash bugs. These shield-shaped gray to black insects inject a toxin into the leaves that causes them to wilt, turn black and die.  Squash bug eggs are orange and can be found on the underside of the leaf. Destroying the eggs can greatly reduce the numbers of squash bugs in your garden. Check leaves often. Squash Bugs are shy. You will have to hunt for them. When mature insects are found, an insecticide must be used. Be mindful of when Bee activity is at its highest. At morning and evening are your best times to use insecticides.

Spraying with malathion or Ortho Bug b Gon garden insect killer will control squash bugs.  Be sure and spray both sides of the leaves.  Repeat applications about every 7 days to insure control.  It is important to clean up garden debris after the season is over.  Insects overwinter in plant debris and by getting rid of old plants you are minimizing the problem for next year.  It is also interesting that squash bugs like yellow squash best so if you’re not particular about which varieties you plant, try some zucchini and patty-pans instead.

As long as we garden we’ll battle insects so be prepared to take care of these seasonal pests before they take over your garden.

This is Matt Rodriguez with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center.  If you would like more information about this program, you can call us at 764-9480.