squash borers

Pest: Squash Borer

Plants Affected: squash, zucchini, cucumber, pumpkin, melons

Signs: plants are growing along fine, start to look a little wilted 

& then often die for what almost appears to be no reason.

Identification: Check the base of the plant near the ground, often you will see browning, cracks or damage caused by the burrowed squash borer. Looks quite a bit like saw dust. You can sometimes even see the squash borer (white larvae pictured below) 

Control: 
- Most management options are limited to control the hatching larvae before they enter the plant. Sadly Squash borers attack your plant from the inside out. Once you see them a lot have damage can already be done.  There are some things you can do to prevent or minimize the damage: 

• Destroy vines after harvest to destroy any larvae remaining inside stems.
• Plow the soil in the spring to destroy cocoons left over from last season.
• Cover the vines at plant joints to encourage growth of secondary roots, which can support the plant if the main stem is damaged.
• Borers can be removed successfully from vines if they are detected early. To do this, slit the stem with a sharp knife and remove the borer. Cover the stem wound with moist soil above the damage to promote root formation.
• Covering the stems with a barrier (e.g. nylon stocking strips) can prevent egg laying.
• Destroy the moths in twilight or early morning when they are resting on the upper side of the leaf bases.
• Pick off the eggs before they hatch. (Cooper Seeds) 
• Slit open wilted vines and remove borers, then cover the cut with moist soil to encourage the vine to reroot. Remove vines as soon as the growing season is over to interrupt the life cycle of second generation larvae. (National Gardening Association Pest Control Library)

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