Four zucchini plants will supply zucchini for yourself, all your known relatives and all your neighbors within a two mile radius. If the squash bugs get one or two plants (only) they will be doing you a favor, and you can protect the remaining plants with your "pop up spring form"

"My concern now is, if I protect these from whatever laying their eggs on the plant, what becomes of the concern about propagation?"

I don't know what you mean by "propagation". It doesn't make sense in this situation.

Did you mean pollination? Pollination is a concern if you are covering the plants with some kind of netting. You will have to hand pollinate. It's not hard to do and there are many discussion on this forum about it. Just do a search.

Potterhead - oh boy, you are exactly right--I meant pollination. It didn't make any sense, did it? So sorry. Maybe I should not use this thing for this particular plant. Last season was so disappointing; however, I know what is meant when you say you CAN have enough that you give it away. I have been there and done that thing also. Thanks for answers. Barb