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On a cliff in the desert

I read that planting nasturtiums or white icicle radishes will deter squash bugs from your squash/pumpkins. Planting dill or calendula will attract Tachinid flies which kill the squash bugs by laying their eggs on the squash bug. Is this true?

7/5/2018 5:32:59 PM

Princeton Kentucky

Don't know about the radishes but as far as the flies are concerned Tachinid larvae do not kill their hosts immediately, but feed first on non-essential tissues, growing within the host, which continues to live normally. It takes about 2 weeks or so for the larvae to kill the squash bugs meanwhile the squash bugs are still laying eggs. Even though there are over 1300 species of these flies in north America I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket in counting on them attacking the squash bugs with any real positive outcome but rather use a good insecticide/fungicide systemic routine early on in your growing season & not too late to start now. Good Luck!

7/7/2018 6:07:32 AM

Westmoreland, KS

I personally have tried many different organic methods and every time it has ended with disappointment. I say plant them if you want to see if it works, try some other organic deterrents along with it. But if you want the best shot at a huge pumpkin do what midwest says.

7/7/2018 9:43:36 AM

On a cliff in the desert

I keep a vigil on pests in my patch. I've got traps set up. I've been lucky I haven't seen any ever. Every year my wife plants many different kinds of flowers all over the yard and around the patch area so I am starting to think if what she plants is setting up a shield around my patch without knowing it.

7/7/2018 12:49:52 PM