Dish Soap Spray After squash bugs hatch the easiest way to kill them naturally is to use dish soap. Out of all the ways to get rid of squash bugs this is my favourite! It might surprise you but using simple dish soap is a great way to kill many bugs in your garden without using harmful chemicals.

How to Get Rid of Squash Bugs

1. Early detection is critical!
2. Pick egg masses off the plants in the morning and later in the day.
3. Place a board or shingle in the garden at night.
4. Insecticides (such as carbaryl/Sevin) are most effective if applied when eggs are hatching.
5. Keep checking your plants, at least daily.

Nasturtium, a vining plant with edible leaves and flowers, is said to repel squash bugs. Interplanting nasturtium with your cucurbits as a companion plant may keep squash bugs away. Floating row cover installed over squash seedlings will deny squash bugs the opportunity to lay their eggs — at least in your garden.

All you need to remove squash bug eggs is a spoon, an empty plastic or glass container, water and a bit of dishwashing liquid. It takes some practice to remove the eggs without ripping the leaves, but this method does remove eggs without the use of pesticides.

Homemade pesticide sprays containing Dawn dish soap successfully kill some garden pests, including spider mites. However, similar to most dish soaps, Dawn contains detergents to dissolve grease on dishes. Its grease-cutting ability is useful in removing petrochemical goo covering wildlife following ocean oil spills.

Dawn liquid dish detergent in approximately a 2 percent concentration is a fairly safe alternative to commercial insecticidal soaps formulated to kill insects such as aphids, mites and scale on plants and keep them away.

Dish soap like dawn and other brands can kill many pests on contact. Aphids, spider mites and white flies are all common garden pests that can ruin your garden.

Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Kill Wood Mites The acidity of apple cider vinegar works effectively as a contact insecticide against wood mites and is the best way to kill spider mites and spiders.