Scented tobacco from the Colorado potato beetle: how to apply

For years, summer residents have been looking for a way to kill insects without the use of chemicals. Some gardeners use scented tobacco from the Colorado potato beetle. It is used in many ways: planting the plant itself or preparing a pest control agent using crushed plant matter or dust.

Degree of harm from the Colorado potato beetle

It's no secret that these insects are capable of destroying a huge number of plantings. They destroy 100% of the crop if the process of their reproduction is left to chance. Then, endlessly developing, they will very quickly eat all the shoots.In this case, the loss will be profound.

1 insect eats 100 mg of plant matter per day.

Beetles live on the lower leaves, and the larvae lay on the back of the leaf. Therefore, they cannot be immediately noticed. Most often, potatoes suffer from his attacks. The most vulnerable plant during flowering, then there is a massive brood of larvae.

Plant and its properties

Scented annual tobacco, its homeland is South America. Plant height 50-90 cm. The leaves are large, the flowers are small, red, yellow and white. It has a strong aroma that intensifies in the evening. The beetle is attracted by the smell of the plant and begins to eat it. But the poison contained in its composition kills the insect.

The method was discovered by Bazhenov. For 10 years, he has been stubbornly looking for a way to deal with insects without the use of chemicals.In his numerous observations, he realized that if tobacco grows next to potatoes, the Colorado potato beetle will fly to him. After particles of fragrant tobacco get inside, after a while the pest dies.

The summer resident needs to prepare for the fact that pests from all neighboring areas will flock to his site. It is important when using this method not to give up everything in the first year. The result will be noticeable only for 3 years. Use an infusion of leaves to fight other insects that harm the garden.

Methods of using tobacco

To combat the Colorado potato beetle, they use several methods:

1. Planting a plant in potato beds.
2. Preparing the base for spraying bushes.
3. Infusions from the leaves.

In order to understand how fragrant tobacco works against the Colorado potato beetle, it is necessary to consider each of them in detail.

Growing plant seedlings

The peculiarity of the struggle with this method is that it is necessary to grow seedlings of tobacco before planting it in the ground. Summer residents have repeatedly proven that the seeds are eaten right in the ground, without even allowing the plant to sprout. Therefore, it is important to plant ready-made plants.

Growing seedlings of fragrant tobacco. The first stage - soil preparation, who do not have the opportunity to cook on their own, can be purchased at the store. Those who want to save money cook it at home. To do this, take:

• 1 piece of peat.
• 1 part humus
• 3 pieces of regular earth.

Seeds are sown in early February. For a day, they are wrapped in a damp cloth in advance so that the planting material swells. Then scatter the seeds and cover with 5 mm dry earth, cover with polyethylene. Keep the pot at a constant temperature of +20-25 ⁰С., until germination.

After the appearance of sprouts, when the soil begins to dry out, spray it with a spray bottle. When the 3rd true leaf is formed, it is recommended to pick. When the plants reach a height of 13-15 cm, they are transferred to a permanent place. But at the same time, the earth should be warmed up to +15 ⁰С.

Scented tobacco calmly endures the neighborhood with any culture, flowers and all garden plants.

When transferring to the ground, it is desirable to preserve the clod of earth in which it grew.

How to plant fragrant tobacco?

The first year, plants are planted along the edge of the beds, or around the entire perimeter at a distance of 1 m. Planted in advance, around April. This is done so that the Colorado potato beetles do not have time to lay their larvae. If the summer resident is late with planting, then it will be more difficult to fight, because the larvae do not eat tobacco and they will also need to be destroyed in some way.

If there are a lot of pests on the site, then it will take more than 1 year to fight it. If the beetle eats all the fragrant tobacco plants, it is necessary to plant again. The effect will still be.

Advantages of the Bazhenov method

There are skeptics in everything. So Bazhenov's method is subject to denials by those who have not even tried to plant tobacco on their plots.

This method of pest control has a number of advantages:

1. Effortless method. You will have to work hard growing seedlings and planting them in a permanent place.
2. Low cost.
3. The area is not treated with chemicals, that is, the harm to humans is minimal.
4. Looks very nice from the outside.
5. According to reviews, the method is effective.

To clearly understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Bazhenov method, it is recommended to start by planting a few bushes for testing.

Cooking tobacco dust

The plant is suitable for the preparation of a special agent for the treatment of plants from insect pests. Fragrant tobacco is dried, the whole plant and stems and leaves are suitable. To do this, it is tied in bundles and hung in a well-ventilated room, in the shade. When the leaves begin to crackle, they are crushed. After the dust is ready, a special solution of the following composition is prepared from it:

• 0.5 kg of dust.
• Laundry soap 40 g.
• Water 20 l.

Use a solution for spraying cultivated plants, and flowers. Such a tool is purchased in stores.

To treat potatoes with tobacco dust do the following:

1. Dust is soaked in 10 liters of warm water for 2 days.
2. Strain.
3. Add water and soap.

Plantings are treated with potatoes in order to scare away the insect and save the crop. The advantages of this processing method are that it is environmentally friendly, while harmful substances do not accumulate in root crops. It is harmless to humans and beneficial insects. And the disadvantage is that a large number of sprays per season is required.

Opinion of summer residents who have tried this method of processing potato beds

For more information, a novice vegetable grower seeks feedback from experienced gardeners. Some give specific tips and advice on pest control.

Ivan: “I have been gardening for a long time. I have been using tobacco against the Colorado potato beetle for a long time.My recipe is simple, I soak 4-5 plants of fragrant tobacco for several days in water. I filter, add liquid soap there, and the poison is ready. In our region, the plant grows by self-sowing, so you don’t have to look for it. I process every 2 weeks. Affects both the beetle and the larvae.”

Irina: “Last year we decided to try this method, planted tobacco on the site. Not to say that the result is excellent, but still there is a difference. There are fewer beetles.”

Bazhenov himself speaks of this method as follows: “You need to have strong nerves. Plant only grown seedlings. This is not a whim, but a necessity. Insects eat the seeds right in the ground, preventing them from germinating. On our site, the first self-sowing plant appeared a few years later.”

The fight against the Colorado potato beetle is a problem. Most of all, the summer resident wants to use less chemicals, so it's worth trying to plant fragrant tobacco. If everything works out, the pest will stop bothering you.

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