Is it possible to spray potatoes from the Colorado potato beetle during flowering?

Since the 50s of the last century, the Colorado potato beetle has become the scourge of potato fields, both industrial and private. They wonder if it is possible to spray potatoes during flowering, summer residents in any corner of our large country. The striped pest is very tenacious and perfectly adapts 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 - developmental phases

It is not without reason that summer residents have a question whether it is possible to spray potatoes from the Colorado potato beetle right during flowering. Mass zhor of potato tops begins precisely during the formation of buds on potato bushes.

Overwintered beetles crawl to the surface in spring when the soil temperature reaches 12 °C. At daytime temperatures above 20 °C, adults actively mate, females lay eggs, from which larvae appear on potato leaves by the time of flowering.

For planting potatoes, the Colorado potato beetle and larvae are equally dangerous. Pests drink juice, eat leaves. In the absence of a struggle, you can lose the entire potato crop. Loss of 80% of tops and leaves on potato bushes leads to their inevitable death.

Environmentally friendly pesticides

There are two reasons why you need to be careful when spraying potatoes for the Colorado potato beetle during flowering:

The first reason is to take care of insect pollinators. Means to combat the beetle can adversely affect bees, wasps, bumblebees.
The second reason is our he alth. Agronomists believe that poisonous substances that have fallen on potato leaves during flowering affect the quality and ecological purity of emerging potato tubers.

There are clear reasons why it is impossible to spray potatoes with chemistry during the flowering period. But the problem remains, the beetles multiply, the crop dies. What to do? The main thing is not to give up at this time, take jars of water in them and go cheerfully to the potato field to collect larvae and adult beetles. Yellow-striped bugs are clearly visible on young green tops.

Migrating, beetles will not attack your field if 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.

In the nearest store you need to buy 10 packs of cigarettes. 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 ashes. Processing is carried out in the early morning. The first time before the buds are formed, the second time when the potato field begins to bloom, later every two weeks. Potatoes, if the weather is dry, water the leaves the night before. Scatter ash on the ground around each bush, pour it thickly on potato leaves.

When potatoes bloom, an infusion of ash saves from the pest. On a 10-liter bucket, you need to sow exactly 2 liters of it. Grate a pack of laundry soap into the ash infusion so that it sticks to the tops better. A good time for spraying is considered early morning and early evening.During operation, there should be no wind and rain.

At any dacha you can find raw materials for the preparation of a repellent solution. Infusions are prepared from onion peel, celandine, ground red pepper. By removing stepchildren on tomato bushes, they can not be thrown away, but used to control insects. If they are poured with hot water at night, then the infusion will be ready in the morning.

Chemicals

If chemicals cannot be used during the flowering of potatoes, then when can it be used to successfully poison the pest without harm to one's he alth. It must be said right away that when growing early ripe potatoes, even after flowering, chemistry should be used with caution.

See why:

ultra-early and early potato varieties can be dug up for food 45-50 days after planting;
concentration in tubers of systemic chemicals at 45-50 days is high, as they have a longer decay period.

Early potatoes can be sprayed with biological preparations. They are made from a specific type of bacteria. The insect dies under their action, the bacteria destroy its digestive tract. Funds are in demand:

Fitoverm.
Basicol.
Agravertine.
Dendrobacillin.

During the growing season, spray the tops three times, carry out treatments at weekly intervals. Accumulation of harmful substances in potatoes does not occur. Already on the 5th day after being sprayed, it can be eaten without any consequences.

Systemic and contact preparations

Late and mid-late varieties of potatoes are harvested from the field quite late, so it is permissible to use chemistry from the beetle. Apply it exactly according to the instructions, do not forget about personal protective equipment.

Potato fields treated with systemic preparations are under their protection for a long time. Insects are not addictive, they die after three treatments. There are many systemic drugs, the instructions should be carefully studied before purchase. Pay attention to the decay period Popular remedies for bugs and larvae:

Corado.
Prestige
Confidor.
Colorado.

The next group of chemicals - contact means: "Match", "Aktara", "Decis". Pests die if a poisonous agent is sprayed directly on them. In the tops of these drugs do not accumulate and in rainy weather are instantly washed off. Insects are addicted to drugs of this group, so they are alternated.

Conclusion

There are no universal drugs for the destruction of the pest. But, since domestic and foreign scientists are actively working on the problem, it will be solved sooner or later. We will get an effective remedy for bugs that does not harm us. For today, you need to use the tools that are on sale. Process potatoes, protecting yourself with a respirator and rubber gloves, eat them only after the expiration date specified in the instructions.