Why is the Colorado potato beetle dangerous?
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The female Colorado potato beetle laid eggs. Frame: Country Tricks / YouTube
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Larvae of the Colorado potato beetle. Frame: Country Tricks / YouTube
These insects and their larvae eat the leaves of not only potatoes, but also other representatives of the nightshade family – for example, pepper, tomato and eggplant. Sometimes pests settle even on petunias.
And Colorado beetles are able to quickly destroy all these plants, because they actively reproduce: one female lays up to 80 eggs per day.
How to get rid of the Colorado potato beetle with your own hands
This method requires a lot of time and effort, so it is more useful in small areas. Take a bucket and shake the beetles from the bushes into it. For convenience, you can use a regular broom. In the process, also cut off the leaves that have larvae and eggs. Beetles and their offspring are very tenacious, so after collecting them it is better to burn them.
And if you do not disdain, remove the pests with your hands in an ordinary plastic bottle, and then close it with a lid and send it to the trash.
Manual collection must be carried out daily, because at one time it is impossible to calculate all the pests and larvae.
How to get rid of the Colorado potato beetle with wood ash
In the early morning, when the plants are covered with dew, or immediately after rain, you need to dust them abundantly with dry wood ash. Do not forget to sprinkle the soil in the garden. This remedy is considered toxic to both beetles and larvae.
The procedure can be repeated every time after rains to renew the “protective mantle” of ash.
How to get rid of the Colorado potato beetle with other plants
Colorado beetles have a well-developed sense of smell, and they do not tolerate the smell of certain plants. Pests do not like marigolds, calendula, basil, lemon balm, fragrant tobacco, beans, onions, garlic and dill. Therefore, you can plant any of the nightshades named between the rows. This method is unlikely to completely exterminate the beetles, but it will certainly reduce their number.
How to get rid of the Colorado potato beetle with mustard and vinegar
Dissolve 50 g of mustard powder and 150 ml of 9% vinegar in 10 liters of water. Spray plants thoroughly with this mixture. The procedure is carried out in the morning or in the evening so that the product does not evaporate in the sun and lingers on the leaves as long as possible. If it is cloudy outside, but not rainy, you can spray the plantings during the day. For best results, treat your garden 1-2 times a week.
How to get rid of the Colorado potato beetle with drugs
The use of special means is the most effective way to control pests. There are many different insecticides that destroy not only beetles and larvae, but also eggs. For example, Iskra, Tanrek, Aktara, Lightning, Corado and Commander Maxi.
Before spraying, carefully read the instructions: it indicates the consumption rates and the required number of treatments.