Bugs to blame for dead squash: too many bad or too few good Feb. 12, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail Most people are growing either summer crookneck or zucchinis (pictured). Stuggling squash plants may be being ruined by squash vine borers or squash bugs, or if only the fruit is dying, it could even be something as simple as failure to be pollinated due to lack of bees.San Francisco Chronicle file photo Q: Every year I try to grow squash, but the plants die before producing their fruit. What am I missing? A: Without a few more key facts, I’m going to just list some possibilities and let you do the research.