Squash bugs are not often considered a severe pest of large-scale cucurbit production, probably due to the absence of suitable overwintering sites in well managed crop fields and because the bug's effects are diluted by the vast acreage. Small fields and home gardens are commonly damaged, however pollinators, particularly honeybees, are very important in cucurbit production, and insecticide application can interfere with pollination by killing honeybees. If insecticides are to be applied when blossoms are present, it is advisable to use insecticides with little residual activity, and to apply insecticides late in the day, when honeybee activity is minimal. Adult squash bugs preferentially colonize larger, more mature plants. Thus, early-planted crops may be especially prone to attack.
Numbers are also highest on plants during bloom and fruit set.
Use of early-planted crops as a trap crop has been proposed, but due to the high value of early season fruit most growers try to get their main crop to mature as early as possible. The use of squash or pumpkin as a trap crop to protect less preferred host plants such as melons and cucumbers is reported to be effective. The tendency of squash bugs to aggregate in sheltered locations can be used to advantage by home gardeners. Placement of boards, large cabbage leaves, or other shelter for squash bugs induces the bugs to congregate there during the day where they are easily found and crushed. Row covers and netting delay colonization of squash, but bugs quickly invade protected plantings when covers are removed to allow pollination.