I have some mashed potatoes squash plants that are currently being attacked by squash bugs. The plants are wilting and their leaves are turning white, but there are still a few squash that are almost ripe on them. I'm wondering if these squash are safe to eat or if they could be infected due to the bug issue.
3 Answers
It sounds like a valid concern, but I think your squash should be okay to eat. I’m dealing with a bug battle myself. I just cleared out all my dead plants and fed them to my chickens! I’m also vacuuming up bugs and waiting for some BT I ordered to arrive.
As long as the squash looks fine, I say go for it! I’ve eaten from plants with pests before and didn’t have any issues as long as the fruit seems healthy.
You should definitely take care of those squash bugs first! Try using soap water spray for the adults and nymphs, neem oil for the eggs, or just pick them off by hand. It might take several treatments, but it should help your plants recover so the squash can ripen.