Since the 50s of the last century, the Colorado potato beetle has become the scourge of potato fields, both industrial and private. Summer residents in every corner of our big country are wondering whether it is possible to spray potatoes during flowering. The striped pest is very tenacious and adapts perfectly to any weather conditions. In regions with cold winters, it burrows almost 0.5 m into the soil and calmly waits out the cold.
Potato pest - development phases
It is not without reason that summer residents ask whether it is possible to spray potatoes against the Colorado potato beetle right during flowering.Massive consumption of potato tops begins precisely during the formation of buds on potato bushes.
Overwintered beetles crawl to the surface in the spring, when the soil temperature reaches 12 °C. At daytime temperatures of 20 °C, adult individuals actively mate, females lay clutches of eggs, from which larvae appear on potato leaves by the time of flowering.
The Colorado potato beetle and larvae are equally dangerous for potato plantings. Pests drink the juice and eat the leaves. If there is no fight, you can lose your entire potato crop. The loss of 80% of tops and leaves on potato bushes leads to their inevitable death.
Environmentally friendly means of control
For two reasons, it is necessary to be careful when spraying potatoes against the Colorado potato beetle during flowering:
- The first reason is concern for pollinating insects. Beetle control agents can have a negative impact on bees, wasps, and bumblebees.
- The second reason is our health. Agronomists believe that toxic substances that get on potato leaves during flowering affect the quality and environmental cleanliness of the developing potato tubers.
There are clear reasons why potatoes should not be sprayed with chemicals during the flowering period. But the problem remains, the beetles multiply and the crops die. What to do? The main thing is not to give up at this time, take jars of water in them and go to the potato field to cheerfully collect larvae and adult beetles. Yellow-striped bugs are clearly visible on young green tops.
Migrating beetles will not attack your field if the potatoes are treated with a solution with a high concentration of nicotine during flowering. We started processing potatoes in such an original way a long time ago.The pest does not tolerate nicotine, and the solution is easy to prepare.
You need to buy 10 packs of cigarettes at the nearest store. The cheaper the cigarettes, the better. Pour all the tobacco into a bucket of water and leave for two days in a dark place. Before processing the potatoes, stir 40 g of grated laundry soap into the infusion.
Ash will help
At any dacha you can find ash. Carry out the treatment early in the morning. The first time before the buds form, the second time when the potato field begins to bloom, later - every two weeks. Potatoes, if the weather is dry, water the tops the night before. Scatter the ash on the ground around each bush, sprinkle it thickly on the potato leaves.
When potatoes bloom, saves from pests infusion of ash. A 10-liter bucket needs exactly 2 liters of it. Rub a pack of laundry soap into the ash infusion so that it sticks better to the tops. Early morning and early evening are considered good times for spraying. There should be no wind or rain during operation.
At any dacha you can find raw materials for preparing a repellent solution. Infusions are prepared from onion peels, celandine, and ground red pepper. When removing shoots on tomato bushes, you don’t have to throw them away, but use them to fight insects. If you pour hot water over them overnight, the infusion will be ready in the morning.
Chemicals
If you can’t use chemicals during potato flowering, then when can you use it to successfully poison the pest without harming your health. It must be said right away that when growing early-ripening potatoes, even after flowering, you should use chemicals with caution.
It's clear why:
- ultra-early and early potato varieties can be dug up for food 45–50 days after planting;
- the concentration of systemic chemicals in tubers on days 45–50 is high, since their decay period lasts longer.
Early potatoes can be sprayed with biological preparations. They are made from a certain type of bacteria. The insect dies under their influence, the bacteria destroy its digestive tract. The following products are in demand:
- Fitoverm.
- Batsikol.
- Agravertine.
- Dendrobacillin.
During the growing season, spray the tops three times, apply treatments at weekly intervals. Savings harmful substances in potatoes not happening. Already on the 5th day after being sprayed, it can be eaten without any consequences.
Systemic and contact drugs
Late and mid-late potato varieties are removed from the field quite late, so it is permissible to use chemicals against the beetle. Use it exactly according to the instructions, do not forget about personal protective equipment.
Potato fields treated with systemic drugs are protected for a long time. Insects are not addictive and die after three treatments. There are many systemic drugs; the instructions should be carefully studied before purchasing. Pay attention to the decay period. Popular remedies for beetles and larvae:
- Corado.
- Prestige.
- Confidor.
- Colorado.
The next group of chemicals are contact agents: “Match”, “Aktara”, “Decis”. Pests die if a toxic agent is splashed directly on them. These drugs do not accumulate in the tops and are immediately washed off in rainy weather. Insects become accustomed to drugs in this group, so they alternate.
Conclusion
There are no universal drugs to kill the pest.But, since domestic and foreign scientists are actively working on the problem, it will be solved sooner or later. We will receive an effective drug against beetles that does not harm us. Today you need to use those products that are on sale. Process potatoes while protecting yourself with a respirator and rubber gloves; eat them only after the expiration date specified in the instructions.
