Radishes or basil interplanted with pumpkins helps repel beetles and….

Squash bugs. Don't plant where pumpkins or its relatives, such as squash, melon and cucumber, have grown the previous year. Provide good air circulation to avoid mildew. If plants do develop mildew, spray foliage thoroughly with a mild baking soda solution of 1 teaspoon per quart of water. To reduce chance of many squash diseases, plant resistant cultivars.