Leaving mulches, or garden debris as some refer to it, on your soil will provide some winter shelter for some insect pests, yes, but that same material can also provide winter shelter for many of the beneficial insect that could aid in control of those pest insects. Keep in mind that most all garden writters are writting for "conventional" gardeners, people that are not encouraged to add lots of organic matter to their soils, that are not encouraged to be more environmentally sensitive, but to reach for the most potent poison there is to kill the insects that inhabit the garden whether they are beneficial or not. That you did work in, till, those leaves this spring may have unbalanced your soil so the pest were more attracted to those plants that probably were not quite as healthy as they should have been.

Oh Kimmser, I've only been working this site for three summers, so, I don't know how in balance my little plot was/is. Ok. So, just keep doing what I know to be best for my soilfoodweb and, in time, the bug issue will be less? Meanwhile, guess I'll keep hand picking the little buggers and use nets.
Thanks for replying.
Sue

I am skeptical that its important to till everything in the fall to prevent insect problems, but I am also skeptical that the light turning that you did do unbalanced your soil and caused bugs.

Conventional gardeners and organic gardeners both have problems with insects... the only difference is how you deal with them.

Unless you have a 40 acre garden, you should be able to put the Sevin away and just hand pick bugs. A small jar of soapy water and a gloved hand works for me. (I hate touching creepy bugs with my bare fingers.) It takes a good observant eye and sometimes daily monitoring.

One thing to keep in mind is that some minor insect damage is normal/okay/anticipated... Its the insect damage that kills the plant, eats all the fruit, or prevents the fruit from forming is what you need to control.

Perhaps you can get a little hand vac and suck up the squash bugs. I've been having a fair bit of trouble with leaf footed bugs, squash bugs, stink bugs etc and I'm hoping that in time some good bugs will build up and help me out. I have a little hand vac that uses the same battery as our cordless drill.

Here is a link that might be useful: www.TCLynx.com

Keep in mind that the only way you can know whether the nutrients in your soil are in balance, and the soils pH is where it should be, is with a good, reliable soil test. If you have not yet done so contact your local office of the University of Illinois USDA Cooperative Extension Service about having that done. These simple soil tests can also aid in knowing more about your soil,
1) Structure. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. A good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top.

2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up.

3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart.

4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer you soil will smell.

5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy.

Here is a link that might be useful: UI CES

tclynx--ah, a little dust buster. wow. That's ingenious. Really. sure wish I hadn't tossed mine out. I'll look around-- this town has rummage sales every time you turn around. Thank You.

joepie--yeah, I've been hand picking. Plenty. Thanks for your thoughts. Guess, I just need to get used to that's the way it's gonna be. I hate using Sevin. It didn't use to bother me. Does now.

Sue

Kimmsr--You link that might be useful isn't. Making a joke. Actually, I have the link. Our IL extension office doesn't do soil testing. They do provide a list of labs. Honestly, it's a money issue.

Alrighty, thanks everyone. Guess I'm just grumpy. It's been a long battle this summer with the bugs. I'll read up more this winter so I can spot them quicker next year.

You know, about using Sevin -- if it bothers you to use it, just don't use it! What's the worst thing that could happen if you didn't use Sevin?

Alfie,
getting off her soapbox now