DIE SQUASH BUGS!!!

Okay, I have been really patient and easygoing. I have been diligent. I have moved with the cheese. But over the weekend these nasty little bugs ate one of my cantaloupes, and started on the pumpkins! They are officially all over the garden. I have sprayed, I have squashed, I have picked off leaves and eggs.....I have called and e-mailed anyone I could think about. The Utah County extension, Square Foot Gardening, various master gardeners, nurseries, and my online group. I am told I must have a neighbor somewhere that has them that isn't spraying. I can't think of anyone close by. I am still convinced that it's from the next door neighbors finishing their backyard. The timing is just too coincidental for me. I am hoping for that, because if someone has them and is not treating their garden for them then I am doomed to get them every year until they do! I went out this morning and did everything all over, with a new bug killer (just on the squash), and I finally broke down and fertilized these poor plants. They are just shriveling up! It makes me so mad! I had this beautiful, lush, full garden a month ago. Now my poor squash looks absolutely deathly! I am hoping and praying that this will work. I already pulled out my watermelon and butternut squash plants because they were so far gone. My dream of a harvest all winter long is beginning to fade......
At least I love the fall crops. The spinach, lettuce, peas, carrots, tomatoes, chard......they have been my very favorites. Maybe I will research overwintering onions and potatoes. My corn is coming in, too. I have learned a lot this year from gardening. It's not as hard as I thought. Next year I won't have to put in the boxes, I know what I like, and I know how much of everything I need. I will be able to plant in February, and that will be nice. Next year, those darn squash bugs won't have a chance! I'm going to knock 'em dead! In the meantime, this year, I hope I can salvage what's left of the once beautiful squash plants. Die squash bugs!