Just when the Japanese beetle population starts to dwindle, the next wave of garden pests show up laying eggs on almost every available squash leaf.
Squash bugs.
While I detest squash bugs, I absolutely loathe Japanese beetles. In comparison…these aren’t so bad.
Every day, I eagerly go out to the garden to squish the eggs and vacuum the bugs that have emerged.
The process is more satisfying than drowning beetles. I think it is because I can squish all the eggs on a plant and vacuum most of the bugs.
This year, I am going to try applying neem oil to the leaves in order to deter more egg layers.
I have to be careful not to hit the squash flowers though. I want the bees to continue pollinating so we can have a good crop of watermelon, butternut and pattypan this year.
Squash bugs aren’t the worst
But are really annoying
Squish, vacuum, squish-squash
a pinch of homestead 
What do you use to vacuum them? I think squash bugs are the ones I hate the most, but it’s really hard to decide.
I used a dust buster. Works great on the baby bugs. I still hate Japanese beetles the most, but these are definitely 2nd on the list.
A bit late in posting my comment, but I had not heard of vacuuming up bugs! Also, I started watching the our local trees turn yellow green and now brown. These trees were fine last year, but on closer inspection, I see the leaves are completely eaten leaving nothing but the vein structure inside. A friend said it was June Bugs. They have decimated trees all over BLO/NO! Did you get hit by them?
They are Japanese beetles and yes, they’ve completely decimated my vineyard. 😦 They were worse this year than they’ve ever been because of the mild winter.
I despise them both. 😂
My friends and family no longer bring them up because once I get started I can’t stop my rant. LOL