Squash bugs? - Ask Extension
I have some butternut squash starts growing but one of them has had all their leaves eaten by something. What can I do to combat that? Will the leaves...
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Squash bugs? #867752
Asked May 09, 2024, 1:37 PM EDT
I have some butternut squash starts growing but one of them has had all their leaves eaten by something. What can I do to combat that? Will the leaves grown back?
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Matthew and thanks for your question about the leaves on your squash plant. Without pictures or more information it's hard to be sure what is going on. Are there any signs of leaves left with chew marks? Are the plants in the ground or in pots? Are there any signs of bugs? It could be slugs, rabbits or really early squash bugs.
If slugs are around, put out slug bait or hand pick them off at night. If rabbits are around (and where are they not these days!) you will need fencing to keep them out. And if it's squash bugs, you will see them or their eggs on the under side of the leaves when the plants sprout new leaves. If the roots are intact and have enough energy, new leaves will sprout, so I hope you figure out what the problem is before that!
If slugs are around, put out slug bait or hand pick them off at night. If rabbits are around (and where are they not these days!) you will need fencing to keep them out. And if it's squash bugs, you will see them or their eggs on the under side of the leaves when the plants sprout new leaves. If the roots are intact and have enough energy, new leaves will sprout, so I hope you figure out what the problem is before that!
Thank you for your response! I can attach some pictures to this email. I’m not seeing any bugs? I do see slugs occasionally in my yard but not on my plants. Do they only eat them at night? The plants are in ground. One of my squash plants has no leaves left and the other has most of them. I’ve also attached some pictures of my peppers plants that seem to be having the same issue. 
Hi Matthew and thanks for your great pictures! I can now tell you not to worry about the plants with leaves. This is a classic case of hail damage and they will put out new leaves and grow out of it.
As to the squash with no leaves, it does look like it is trying to put out some new leaves. I'm wondering what the whitish residue in the picture around the plant is? The leaves look kind of like they have been burned with either a fertilizer or herbicide. I would wait a week and see if it recovers and puts out new leaves. If not, you might have to replace that one.
Thanks for the great pictures!
As to the squash with no leaves, it does look like it is trying to put out some new leaves. I'm wondering what the whitish residue in the picture around the plant is? The leaves look kind of like they have been burned with either a fertilizer or herbicide. I would wait a week and see if it recovers and puts out new leaves. If not, you might have to replace that one.
Thanks for the great pictures!
Thank for the advice! I’m not sure what the residue could be. I haven’t used any herbicide or fertilizer. My squash is already putting out new leaves!
I’m not sure if I can still reply to this email but I have another question. I bought 12 beet starters about a month ago. I didn’t realize that I planted them way to close together and now only a few seem to be growing much faster. Is it too late to dig some of them up and transplant them?
Thank for the advice! I’m not sure what the residue could be. I haven’t used any herbicide or fertilizer. My squash is already putting out new leaves!
Hi Matthew and thanks for your question about transplanting your beets. Beets are not the easiest plant to move since they have a pretty long tap root, but if you can get most of the soil around and beneath the root it should be OK to move them.
Dig the hole you want to move them to first, and put some water in it. Then dig as much of the beet as you can with as much soil as possible without injuring the adjacent plants and put it in the damp hole. Gently pat it in and you should have nicely spaced beets.
Good luck,
Dig the hole you want to move them to first, and put some water in it. Then dig as much of the beet as you can with as much soil as possible without injuring the adjacent plants and put it in the damp hole. Gently pat it in and you should have nicely spaced beets.
Good luck,
