Could my Chickens save my Squash?

[bragabit]

My winter and summer squash is being invaded by squash bugs. I have dusted with Sevin powder many times. But I am starting to lose vines and plants now. My plants are on black soft plastic and the bugs are very easy to see. So should I let my ladies out of their pasture and into the garden?? I have about 60 tomato plants with semi ripe tomatoes, and I am not sure if they will be targeted by the chickens or not. Any suggestions....

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Umm, mine EAT squash. You can try dusting the plants with Seven Dust or DE, but not right before it is due to rain.

 

[bragabit]

I dont' care if they poke my Zuchini and such. But I really think they would leave the winter squash alone. I really want squash this winter, I hope to save my plants. What is DE?

 

[buckabucka]

If the squash bug invasion hasn't gotten totally out of control, I go out there and crush them! They tend to congregate together on certain leaves, so I remove those leaves and crush them. Check the undersides of leaves and crush all the eggs. You will never eliminate them all, but if you are vigilant and get them fairly early, you will still have nice squash.
I don't know that chickens wouldn't eat the squash leaves and do some real damage to the plant, but I'm new to chickens, so not sure about that.
Robin

 

[ray2310]

My chickens will eat every half ripe tomato they can get to.

 

[bildo6]

after my hens got over the garden fence they destroyed my cucumbers then moved to the squash. i think the only thing they didnt eat was the bugs i had (leaf footed bugs)

 

[toddfromMA]

You could try spraying the heck out of the plants with a soapy solution.Water and dish detergent should work.

 

[caralynnp]

if it appears like the vines are wilting they are dying from a bacterial infection that the beetle gives the plant. that is what happens with cucumber beetles and cucumber vines. it can take a couple of weeks from the time the bugs start eating to the to when the vines will wilt but there is not really anything you can do.

 

[trunkman]

If you let them loose in your garden say goodbye to your tomatoes I'm not sure about your squash tho, mine pecked at my acorn squash but left it alone after they realized how hard it was. good luck with your problem.

 

[cjdmashley]

I found that the Seven SPRAY that attaches right to your hose worked the best for me. I had a horrible problem with cucumber beetles (little black & yellow flyers) and ants/ jap. beetles. one healthy spray at dusk with no rain that night and I found NOTHING in the morning, was so happy. That was about a month ago and saw a few yesterday so I may hit it with what I have left over, but if you spray now you should be good for the rest of the season!! Good luck.