Squash Vine Borers

DollDoctor

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I just figured out that the reason my buttercup squash plants are all wilted is due to squash vine borers. I never had them before, so I thought they just needed watering. Unfortunately, it is too late to save most of the plants, but there are a number of good sized squashes on them. Will they ripen off the plant? What should I do with them? I do hope they are salvageable.
 

sumi

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It depends how far developed the squashes are. They probably won't ripen further after picking though, but they may be edible (hopefully!).
 

Denim Deb

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Can't help you w/that but I feel your pain. I lost all of my vine crops to borers last year. This year, I waited until later in the summer to plant anything and am hoping I didn't get them in too late. I have not seen a single borer or stink bug this year.
 

sumi

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I try my best to avoid pesticides in the garden, but I lost tonnes of pumpkin and squash to pumpkin flies. One year I used a neem solution on my plants to keep the bugs off and it worked VERY well.
 

baymule

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I have found using a shotgun a most effective way of ending the life of squash vine borers. The only drawback to this is that it blows the vines to bits as well. :lol:
 
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