I grow summer squash, which would be varieties like pumpkin and zucchini. While they have the potential to produce awesome poundage of highly prized vegetables, they are susceptible to a nasty pest called the squash borer moth. They will lay eggs in your plant, guaranteed. This is especially true anywhere squash are abundantly grown. Pesticide does not work well because it takes lot to protect a single plant. The moth lays its egg into the stem where the poison has no power. It is down to organic methods. As a summer squash grows it is important to cut off the leaves that are closest to the base of the plant. Squash borer moth prefers to infect the largest leaves near the base of the plant. Cutting them away will eliminate this breeding ground. It also exposes the stem so they are easier to keep an eye on, in case a larvae does manage to infect the central stem. There are other advantages to pruning squash, such as improved productivity. The tip of the stem keep growing and will grow faster if forced to. Pruning does not hurt the plant because it is robust and can take a lot of damage. The only way to save an infected squash it to cut into the stem and remove the larvae. Often it will keep on growing even after quite a bit of cutting and abuse. It might even be glad to be free of baggage so it can focus on continued productivity. Squash borer will usually begin feeding on the underside of a leaf or stem. The larva is never external. As it gets bigger it will drop to the bottom of the leaf stem and burrow into the plant body. If it gets to big and eats too much the whole plant will die. The warning signs of infection are light brown splotches on the stem and a withering leaf. Regular care will keep squash plants alive and productive.
