my first few summer squash usually look as if they have BER. I just pluck them off the plant, then the subsequent ones come in perfectly...this happens to me every year...

Yes, they can, I suppose, but my experience suggests that the more likely reason is that they didn't get fertilized.

Right. Poor fertilization usually results in a small fruit that rots at the blossom end first. Often with a much larger stem end.

I'm having the exact same problem with my zucchini and spaghetti squash. It seems like I'll get a few zucchini but all the sqaghetti squash has withered at this point.

Here's an example of the zucchini.

{{gwi:83077}}

If they're not fertilized, not the chemical type but the sexual, they'll rot right off the plant. That's the plant's way of getting rid of them. Usually the first flowers will do that to you, so dont' fret. In a while all will level off and then you can happily worry about the Squash Vine Borer. Best of luck.

Yes squash can have blossom end rot (BER). If the squash is growing and healthy then the flower end rots this is blossom end rot. If the squash doesn't grow for several days and then begins to shrivel, this is the result of poor pollination. Also the when a fruit isn't pollinated the flower end is typically smaller than the stem end as mentioned by tcstoehr.

I'll keep my fingers crossed then. I do have some little withered ones and a couple of smaller ones with what looks like rotted ends. though the ends are not smaller. If I can find out whatever is taking the squash as it gets a little bigger(squirrels, rabbits?) maybe I'll get some SS for myself! Please! jbann, don't say SVB!
Thanks
Cathy