While Adult Squash bugs are known to overwinter in "garden debris" so do the predators of those bugs, so a diligent clean up can also remove the hiding places of many of the benficials that can help. You need a balanced ecosystem to control any pests you may have and spraying something that contains a very broad spectrum poison such as carbaryl won't be of much help establishing that.
Do what you can this fall to expose as many of the pests to controls such as birds and beneficial insects and then look for means of control you can use next spring to protect the cucurbits.

Hi,

I have a bird feeder within 20 feet of my garden. Haven't seen a squash bug in the last 5 years.

I found this on a few web sites. Just squash the squash bug. LOL

"Trap squash bugs by laying out boards or pieces of newspaper. Squash bugs will congregate under the boards at night, and then can be collected and destroyed in the morning."

I could just see it. In the morning going out and jumping up and down on the boards and smashing all those bugs. :)

You said that things went downhill when the summer heat and drought hit. My garden has struggled for years with all kinds of pest and disease problems - and we had at least 3 years of summer droughts. People say that bugs dont' attack happy healthy plants but seem to prefer the weak ones. Why is anyone's guess. I do know that this year when I had lots of rain and no summer drought, things did better. Maybe it's not you.

I don't know about squash bugs, but boards work well to trap slugs. I never step on them- I squish with my fingers. I hate those slimy boogers.

We had a terrible drought last summer I and saw more garden diseases than ever. Powdery mildew was rampant. I was convinced that the drought stress made the plants more susceptible to problems.

Karen

I had lots of squash bug eggs on all of my cuke/melon/pumpkin leaves. I'm still hoping for a pumpkin or two for halloween, but it's looking very doubtful. I have hot composted the leaves I've removed, and will hot compost the rest when I remove the plants. I plan on removing all the mulch (bark chips) from the garden and putting them in the front yard flower beds.

Of course I plan on being far from here next season and a much bigger SFG than this years learning experience!

Good luck next year Jim!

Btw, I like the idea of the bird feeder. I drove past a garden last week that was very nice looking in a side yard and had a string of about 20 bird feeders hanging above it.

I spend about $300/yr now on bird feed. It may be better to take the feeders down and make them fend for themselves. As far as squashing them, I would have to learn to tap dance before spring. I do not like to use chemicals, but next year may be an exception.

John

Here is a link that might be useful: Johns Journal

powdery mildew is actually more prevalent in drought conditions. Overhead watering or rain will wash the spores off the leaves. If there no rain, the spores stay on the leaves.