This year I used 4’x4’ pop up domes to totally encase my zucchini. Worked great against the bugs until I left the zipper open overnight!
I’ve learned that zucchini plants emit a pheromone that specifically attracts the squash bug! WOW - that blew my mind! Why would this plant do such a stupid thing?! Right?
I have found 3 zucchini varieties that are able to self pollinate with minimal pollinator activity. This will make my domed plants more protected.
They are Dunja, Cash Machine &
Astia. Available thru Johnny’s, Territorial & High Mowing. They are also compact & single stemmed & having good disease resistant packages.
This is what I’ll be doing next year.
I got the large pop up mesh covers thru Temu - $25 @.
Joe Gardner suggests setting plants in a black plastic bio mulch. I bought a heavy organic paper mulch, so that is what I’ll use instead of grass clippings, leaves, etc because those mulches are squash bug heaven.
I wish you luck - hope my advice, methods & knowledge works for you 😀
PS ants are great pollinators! If you find them in your garden let them be unless they get out of hand.
