Pest identification
What's eating my spaghetti squash?
Squash vine borer
Signs: Sudden vine wilt; sawdust frass at stem base; larvae feeding inside hollowed vines
Control: Wrap stem bases in foil; apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) to stems when moths are flying; surgically remove larvae from slit vines
Squash bug
Signs: Bronze stippling, wilting, and blackening foliage; nymphs cluster on undersides feeding in groups
Control: Hand-pick nymphs and adults; lay wooden boards as traps; insecticidal soap targets soft-bodied nymphs
Cucumber beetle
Signs: Chewed foliage; bacterial wilt spread plant-to-plant; scarred rinds reduce marketability
Control: Row covers pre-flowering; kaolin clay repellent; companion-plant with nasturtiums as a trap crop
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew on leaves; sooty mould growth; distorted shoot tips
Control: Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators such as parasitic wasps
Keep spaghetti squash pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Spaghetti squash pests — FAQ
What is eating my spaghetti squash?
Spaghetti squash is a Cucurbita pepo and shares the same serious pests: squash vine borers, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles. Its long season also exposes it to late aphid pressure and powdery mildew. Early row covers and consistent monitoring of the stem base are the primary defenses.
How do I get rid of squash vine borer on spaghetti squash?
Sudden vine wilt; sawdust frass at stem base; larvae feeding inside hollowed vines Wrap stem bases in foil; apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) to stems when moths are flying; surgically remove larvae from slit vines
How do I get rid of squash bug on spaghetti squash?
Bronze stippling, wilting, and blackening foliage; nymphs cluster on undersides feeding in groups Hand-pick nymphs and adults; lay wooden boards as traps; insecticidal soap targets soft-bodied nymphs
How do I get rid of cucumber beetle on spaghetti squash?
Chewed foliage; bacterial wilt spread plant-to-plant; scarred rinds reduce marketability Row covers pre-flowering; kaolin clay repellent; companion-plant with nasturtiums as a trap crop
How do I get rid of aphids on spaghetti squash?
Sticky honeydew on leaves; sooty mould growth; distorted shoot tips Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators such as parasitic wasps