Pumpkins are truly a marvel of nature, boasting an incredible array of shapes, sizes, and colors. Cultivating them can be a delightful experience, but it’s essential to be prepared for the various pests that may arise. While growing pumpkins can be challenging at times, most issues can be easily managed, allowing you to enjoy a bountiful harvest.
The following list outlines some common pumpkin pests to watch out for, and since many of these insects affect other Cucurbitaceae species as well, it’s wise to inspect your cucumbers and zucchini plants as well.
Squash Bugs
Pumpkin-destroying flat brown bugs are a common issue for gardeners, as they feed on sap and can lead to decay and even death of the plants. When it comes to adult insects, insecticides are ineffective. Therefore, prevention is key. To prevent infestations, regularly remove leaf debris from the soil surface and inspect leaves daily for signs of egg-laying.
If you spot reddish eggs beneath the leaves, scrape them off immediately and consider using them as chicken feed or drowning them in a mixture of hot water, vinegar, and dish soap. If you miss your window to eliminate eggs or young larvae, be prepared to deal with adults. In this case, use double-sided tape wrapped around stems to capture the crawling insects or manually remove them and dispose of them in the aforementioned solution.
Vine Borers
When you spot orange-black insects resembling wasps on your plants, don’t reach for the insecticide just yet – you’re likely dealing with vine borers. These melittia cucurbitae moths may look intimidating, but their larvae are actually the culprits behind the damage. The young worms burrow into squash and pumpkin stems to feast before pupating, leaving your plants’ leaves to wilt and fruit to wither away as they can’t draw nutrients through their compromised stems.
To outsmart these pesky pests, start by tilling your soil deeply in autumn and springtime. This will help reveal any grubs that might be lurking beneath the surface, making them easy prey for birds to snack on.
Alternatively, since vine borers have a weakness for yellow hues, consider creating a trap using a mixture of water, vinegar, soap, and a splash of yellow food coloring. Place this concoction in a bright yellow bowl and set it out in your garden.
The moths will be drawn to the inviting color and unfortunately meet their demise by drowning in the liquid.
Aphids
Aphids may seem like a minor annoyance, but their ability to carry viruses makes them more significant than you might think. These tiny insects can easily hitch a ride on unsuspecting visitors or even blow in on the wind, potentially spreading disease throughout your garden. I’ve had my own experience with aphid-related chaos – after a census taker wandered through my garden, I lost an entire crop of zucchinis to these pesky pests!
It’s easy to understand how they might have caught a ride on his pantaloons and made their way to my prized veggies. Fortunately, there are effective ways to control aphid populations. Neem oil and insecticidal soap can both be used to remove them from your plants. Alternatively, you could invite ladybugs into your garden – these natural predators love nothing more than snacking on aphids!
Just keep in mind that diatomaceous earth is also an option for keeping aphids at bay, but it will also harm ladybugs, so choose one approach and stick with it.
Armyworms
These voracious larvae, the offspring of various moth species, can wreak havoc on your pumpkin patch in a matter of days. Attracted to foliage, a group of them can quickly skeletonize the area. Characterized by their green or yellowish hue with brown or reddish stripes along their backs, these caterpillars are notorious for causing damage. To control the infestation, it’s essential to promptly remove and dispose of any encountered individuals.
Alternatively, you can employ Bacillus thuringiensis spray to deter them from the area. Interestingly, these caterpillars have a natural predator in the form of braconid wasps, which are attracted to plants like yarrow, dill, coriander, and tansy. By incorporating these species into your garden, you can inadvertently encourage the wasps to lay their eggs on the caterpillars, subsequently ensuring that any emerging young will feed on and destroy the unwanted larvae.
Cucumber Beetles
Don’t let your first impression of striped or spotted beetles deceive you – they’re not the beneficial ladybug cousins you might think. In fact, they can be destructive pests that’ll wreak havoc on your plants from top to bottom. While pesticides can offer a solution, prevention is key. To keep them at bay, make sure to till your garden in the autumn and rotate your crops annually.
This way, if last year’s generation emerges expecting a tasty pumpkin snack, they’ll be left confused and disappointed when they find carrots or kale instead. Additionally, these beetles have a peculiar dislike for radishes and nasturtiums, so consider interplanting them amongst your pumpkins to deter the pests.
Thrips
While thrips are not typically considered pumpkin pests, they can pose a problem if the opportunity arises. They tend to transition from alliums or cereal crops to pumpkins when planted in close proximity. To avoid this issue, it’s recommended to plant onions, garlic, and grains at least 10 feet away from your pumpkin patch. If thrips do appear, consider deploying reflective mulch panels or using an organic insecticide as a control measure.
Cutworms
Cutworms are notorious pests that feed on the stems of your plants, often hiding in detritus and wood piles before emerging to munch on their favorite snacks at dawn or dusk. To keep these unwanted diners at bay, consider wrapping cardboard cuff sleeves around the base of your plants’ stems, burying them 1/2 inch into the soil – a great way to repurpose old toilet paper rolls.
For an alternative approach, scatter diatomaceous earth across the soil’s surface, or simply spend time in your garden and hand-pick these pests, drowning them or offering them as a snack to ducks, geese, chickens, or guinea fowl if you have these feathered friends on hand. Another tactic is to cultivate cutworms’ preferred food sources, such as sunflowers or sunchokes, nearby – these plants will draw the cutworms away from your pumpkins and other valuable crops.
Loopers
While loopers are not typically associated with pumpkin pests, they do have a taste for cucurbit foliage if it’s within arm’s reach. Their affinity for brassicas like cabbage and kale is well-established, but they won’t hesitate to venture out and feast on nearby pumpkin leaves.
As with other caterpillars on this list, loopers can be manually removed and drowned or repurposed as a nutritious snack for chickens.
For those who prefer a more holistic approach, alliums like garlic and onions can be used to deter them. Alternatively, a homemade insecticidal spray can be concocted by mixing water with mint, castile soap, minced or pureed garlic, and cayenne pepper.
Slugs and Snails
While slugs and snails may not be the most daunting pests you’ll encounter, they can still pose a significant threat to young or vulnerable plants. However, mature plants tend to be more resilient and can withstand some level of damage. Our comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies necessary to effectively manage these pesky creatures and protect your garden.
Animal Interlopers
To ensure the success of your pumpkin cultivation, consider growing them within a secure and enclosed space. A well-maintained fence or barrier will significantly reduce the risk of unwanted visitors, such as curious critters, getting to your prized pumpkins. However, it’s essential to note that some animals can be surprisingly resourceful, so keep a watchful eye on your pumpkin patch to prevent any potential losses.
Squirrels
When pumpkins are left unattended, these mischievous critters can cause significant damage. They’re particularly fond of baby pumpkins, often making off with them or chewing through maturing rinds to get to the sweet flesh and seeds inside. While squirrels may not be the most welcome garden visitors, there’s a way to peacefully coexist. Since they don’t appreciate spicy flavors, a solution can be as simple as mixing Big Daddy’s Ass Burn hot sauce with water and dish soap in a spray bottle.
This concoction can help deter squirrels from targeting your pumpkins, and reapplying it after rainfall is crucial. Alternatively, you can try to redirect their attention by providing them with an appealing food source, such as hanging a squirrel feeder at least 40 feet away or planting nut and fruit trees on the opposite end of your property, thereby minimizing the risk of pumpkin pilferage.
Groundhogs
Prairie dogs, or prairie critters as they’re affectionately known, are more than just pesky pumpkin pests. These charming mammals will devour whatever is available in your garden. To deter them from burrowing into your pumpkin patch, consider enclosing the area with a fence that extends at least a foot beneath the surface and has outward-facing wire to prevent digging. Additionally, prairie dogs tend to shy away from strong, pungent scents.
If you notice significant groundhog activity around your garden, try sprinkling chopped garlic and cayenne pepper along the perimeter. You can also use hot sauce spray as a deterrent, spraying it directly onto your plants.
Rabbits
I’m a self-proclaimed rabbit enthusiast, but my enthusiasm is tempered by the realization that these adorable creatures can wreak havoc on my garden. If you’re dealing with wild rabbits, rest assured that they’ll see your garden as an all-you-can-eat buffet unless you take steps to deter them. Like their groundhog cousins, rabbits can be kept at bay with a high fence sunk deep into the soil.
Alternatively, scattering predator urine or feces around the perimeter and planting an abundance of alliums can also keep them out. If the rabbits are particularly persistent, auditory repellents that emit high-frequency sounds can be an effective deterrent – just be aware that these devices will also repel other animals like mice, rats, skunks, and more that can hear this frequency.
Just note that if you have pet rodents or lagomorphs in your care, these frequencies can be harmful or even fatal to them if they’re unable to escape the noise.
Mice
To safeguard your baby pumpkins from wild mice, consider their preference for immature fruits that can be easily gnawed into. One effective method is to encase them in a protective barrier while they’re still small. We’ve found large plastic strawberry containers to be ideal for this purpose. To ensure the stem remains intact, create a divot on one side by melting or cutting it. This will prevent crushing when closing the container around your pumpkin.
This barrier not only protects against animal and insect activity but also allows for airflow, preventing rot from setting in. Simply remove the container once the fruit starts to push it open from within.
Alternatively, mice are known to be wary of potential predators. By scattering used cat litter around the area, you can effectively deter them. This method is not only effective against mice but also other small rodents, lagomorphs, and large herbivorous pumpkin pests.
Deer
Deer are notorious for their love of pumpkins, and they’ll stop at nothing to get to them. Not only will they devour every part of your pumpkin, from the leafy greens to the seeds, but they’ll also trample your entire patch in the process as they search for the perfect snack. They’re like little pumpkin detectives, breaking open the gourds with their hooves until they find one that’s just right – think Goldilocks’ porridge, but pumpkiny.
And if you’re lucky enough to have a wildlife reserve nearby, you can even use predator scents to scare them off. Just be sure to wear a mask and keep track of where you’ve scattered the scent – it might seem like common sense, but trust us, it’s crucial.
Moose
Opossums
Opossums, while opportunistic eaters of leftover pumpkin detritus, will occasionally target new, immature pumpkins, rendering them inedible before maturity. This behavior is not a reflection on their remarkable ecological contributions, as they play a crucial role in controlling the tick population. Rather than persecuting these charming creatures, gardeners can employ a simple yet effective deterrent: hot sauce sprays.
Fencing, however, proves ineffective against opossums’ remarkable climbing abilities, necessitating an enclosure that extends above ground to prevent their ascent.
Raccoons
Raccoons are notorious for scaling even the most formidable barriers to get to their next meal. Alongside opossums and squirrels, they’re experts at outsmarting our efforts to keep them out. When it comes to pumpkins, these masked bandits will stop at nothing to get their paws on one, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
While predator feces and an outward-arching fence can help deter them, another effective method is to capitalize on their sensitive sense of smell by wafting the aroma of garlic, curry powder, and cayenne pepper around your plants. As a bonus, you’ll have the ingredients for a delicious curried pumpkin soup once your harvest ripens.
Porcupines
Porcupines have a peculiar fondness for pumpkins, and it’s not uncommon to catch them indulging in these gourds. Their eating habits are almost as entertaining as they are amusing – the sounds they make while munching away might even render you oblivious to their snacking spree. However, if you’re concerned about protecting your pumpkin patch from these prickly critters, a sturdy fence is likely your best bet.
Quills aside, porcupines aren’t easily deterred by predator scents, and they might just find the hot sauce spray an appealing addition.
Goats
When considering goat ownership, it’s essential to keep in mind that these curious creatures have a weakness for pumpkins. Despite not being typically thought of as pumpkin pests, goats will happily devour the fruits of your labor if given the chance. They’ll exploit any weaknesses in fencing or protection, breaking open pumpkin shells like deer do and indulging in a tasty snack.
To prevent this, it’s crucial to install sturdy, high-fencing and consider adding additional deterrents such as predator guard netting to ensure the safety of your pumpkin patch.
Sheep
Goats, as previously mentioned, exhibit a slightly more contained version of the chaotic nature they possess in larger groups.
Foxes
When delving into the world of pumpkin pests, I was taken aback to discover that foxes made an appearance. As a canid species, it’s not entirely surprising given that many dogs – including my own – have a penchant for pumpkin. The key to keeping these cunning thieves at bay lies in effective fencing, with a minimum depth of about a foot providing adequate deterrence.
An added layer of protection comes from the presence of wolf and coyote feces, as foxes are naturally intimidated by their larger canid counterparts. In cases where dogs are part of the property’s defense strategy, they can also serve as an effective deterrent, chasing off any would-be pumpkin pilferers as needed.
Bears
In bear-infested regions, it’s not uncommon for these furry critters to get their paws on some of your pumpkins. While it may be frustrating to lose a few gourds, bears are often given a pass due to their impressive abilities and lack of concern for human-deterrents like fencing. In fact, they can effortlessly tear through barriers, don’t seem to care about spicy flavors, and typically occupy the top spot in their ecosystems.
When it comes to dealing with black bears, it’s relatively easy to shoo them away. However, if you find yourself facing a grizzly or Kodiak bear indulging in your prized Blue Doll heirloom pumpkin from afar, it might be best to simply let him enjoy his snack – from a safe distance, of course.
Birds
While some bird species are particularly fond of pumpkin flesh and seeds, it’s not uncommon for larger birds to play a crucial role in accessing these treats. Ravens and crows, with their robust beaks, take the lead by cracking open the pumpkin shells, providing an opportunity for smaller songbirds like jays, cardinals, and sparrows to then devour the insides.
However, despite birds having distinct eating habits compared to mammals, the hot sauce spray won’t have any significant impact on deterring them. To effectively protect your pumpkins from these feathered visitors, consider using netting or fencing as a deterrent, also keeping in mind that domestic chickens and wild turkeys may also be interested in getting their beaks into your prized pumpkins, so be sure to take necessary measures to exclude them.
