[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Maybe I should break open stems right when the plant completely dies and look for marauders?”

The way they’re dying off so fast is more than likely vine borers. :(

https://www.epicgardening.com/squash-vine-borer/

[Paul R.]

That’s my thought too, except the plants don’t die off quickly, they just “stop” suddenly (from just prior great growth and flowering), and then very slowly (usually) die off from the stem up. If it’s as though the pathogen / parasite / insect doesn’t quite completely destroy the stem, in order to maintain its “housing” until it’s ready to pupate or reproduce, and and “some” nutrients and water get through.

Also see my post above, # 701.

In the future, if I have will to try again, and assuming it is borers, is there anything that wards off the adults laying the eggs? We’ve had so many rains that pesticide would likely just wash off. Some sort of natural repellent plant planted around the squash / melons / cukes?

I know there are products that trees and shrubs can take up to help prevent or kill off borers, but I don’t know about their compatibility with squash, etc., and, they are NOT recommended for veggies (residue in the fruits, etc., I would guess.)

Thanks!