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Sudden Squash Death: Squash Vine Borer Suspect

One squash + one zucchini collapse overnight in healthy row = squash vine borer. Check base for frass (greenish-yellow sawdust) and split stem for white caterpillar.

If caught early: slit stem, remove larva, bury damaged section to root. Prevent: soil at vine nodes encourages backup roots. Spray stems weekly in June/August with Bt or spinosad. Fall tillage exposes cocoons. Destroy vines post-harvest.

Growing Vegetables: Reviving a Damaged Torenia 'Summer Wave Blue': Pruning and Fertilizing; Single Basket Petunia Wilt: Stem Damage vs. Root Rot; First-Year Squash Problems: Speckled Leaves, Yellow Fruit, Rotting; Identifying and Using a Mystery Squash Vine in the Garden; Managing Squash Vine Borers: Prevention and Saving Fruit; Identifying a Volunteer Squash or Gourd: Safe to Eat?; Powdery Mildew on Summer Squash: Baking Soda Spray and Milk Treatment; Diagnosing Squash Vine Collapse: Borers, Wilt, and Bugs; Buttercup Squash Vine Borer Prevention in North Dakota; Squash Volunteer in Compost Pile

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