Squash Bugs Crushing Your Harvest | Spokane News

Spokane News Today | 2 Min | The Daily News Now! · Aug 5, 2026 · 1m

Squash bugs are wreaking havoc on gardens this year, thanks to a mild winter that let more adults survive and launch massive infestations. These pests suck the life out of plants, causing wilting, browning leaves, and fruit scars—and they can even carry a virus that accelerates plant death. Nymphs are fast-moving, grayish insects with black legs and antennae. To fight back: clean up garden debris in fall, rotate crops, use row covers early (remove when flowering starts), crush egg clusters, and spray insecticidal soap or neem oil—especially on leaf undersides. Stay vigilant to save your…