Squash vine borer5/31/2023 ![]() ![]() The West Coast is least impacted by squash vine borers, where they are uncommon. In the South, they emerge in May and there can be up to two generations per year and moths may continue to lay eggs through mid-August. In the North, squash vine borer moths are laying eggs in late June and early July. Knowing when squash vine borers are active in your region is the first step. Squash Vine Borer Prevention Through Timing ![]() Planting squash varieties that aren’t as susceptible to squash vine borer is an easy method of prevention. Squash vine borers can also affect melons and cucumbers - these are both in the Cucurbitaceae family, like squash - but this is rare. But you don’t need to stop planting the other squash that you love to grow and eat - you just need to take precautions. If you make a point of choosing to plant squash varieties that are less attractive to squash vine borer, your garden is likely to stay borer-free. Squash vine borers like to target Cucurbita maxima (like Hubbard squash) and Cucurbita pepo (like acorn squash, zucchini and pumpkins) but rarely are found on Cucurbita moschata (like butternut squash.)Ĭucurbita moschata is less affected because it has dense vines that borers have trouble penetrating. Not all squash plants are equally susceptible to squash vine borer. Squash Vine Borer Prevention Through Plant Choice These are signs that squash vine borer larvae - white caterpillars, up to an inch long, with legs and black heads - are already inside the plant. If your squash plants are yellowing and wilting, they may be affected by squash vine borer.Ĭheck the stems near the base of the plant for small holes and frass, which looks like sawdust. Identifying squash vine borer moths and knowing when they are laying eggs in your region is a crucial step to prevention.
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