Who eats the Colorado potato beetle: natural enemies in nature

Every summer resident who plants potatoes is looking for ways to deal with pests that can destroy the crop. Many turn on those who eat the Colorado potato beetle. A natural enemy will help fight the scourge, without the use of chemicals.

Enemies from America

Attempts by scientists to adapt insects from the continent to the necessary climatic conditions did not lead to a positive result. Bedbugs: podizus and pikromerus, could not take root in our area. And their seasonal breeding is extremely expensive and impractical. Therefore, farmers began to look for possible fighter options among birds that live freely in the harsh climatic conditions of Russia.

Natural enemies among our insects

In nature, everything is harmoniously interconnected, some insects feed on others. However, in Russia there are practically no natural enemies of the Colorado potato beetle. But still, the usual ladybug and lacewing eat them. There are very few of them and the level of assistance in the destruction of the pest is very low. Therefore, all hope for the birds.

Who eats the Colorado potato beetle?

Wild and domestic birds living next to humans often eat beetles and their larvae. The main thing is that breeding them at home is a more environmentally friendly way to exterminate the pest. It does not harm human he alth and the environment.

Who eats Colorado beetles:

1. The most unpretentious birds in growing and the most effective fighters are guinea fowls.Breeding them does not require much effort. They peck insects directly from the bush. And most importantly, unlike the chicken, they do not rake the beds, do not harm the rest of the plantings in the areas. They have dietary meat. They carry eggs that are hypoallergenic, without causing a reaction in children and adults. The Colorado beetle for guinea fowl is a delicacy, like other insects that are found on the site. By teaching them to move freely around the site, you can clear it of many pests.
2. The next bird that lives at home is the turkey. He, like the guinea fowl, willingly feeds on beetles directly from plants. But growing it is much more difficult. He often gets sick, little turkeys are very tender. Therefore, caring for them requires a lot of attention and care. And the rest of the turkeys are very organized. They do not rake the beds, they feed on all sorts of insects, being a kind of orderlies of the site.
3. Pheasants and partridges are wild birds that are hard to raise.As for partridges, they are adapted to the harsh climate. Not very demanding on strict adherence to the rules of content. Weight gain quickly, their meat is very tasty. Areas will need to be closed. Because pheasants and partridges can easily fly away. And they don't come back. Leaving them on the run, you should not leave them unattended, they trample down the plantings. In addition to the Colorado potato beetle, they are excellent at destroying other pests that harm various crops.
4. Home chickens. Only selective individuals, or those that were previously trained from a young age, can exterminate the pest.

What kind of birds eat the beetle best and are the easiest to breed? The answer is ambiguous, for each person in different ways. Everything will depend on the gardener himself, his desires and aspirations.

How to train chickens to eat a bug?

Insect harms potatoes, an important condition for many summer residents is the destruction of bugs without the use of chemicals. I want the harvest to remain clean and he althy.

It is not always possible to have birds that eat Colorado potato beetles. Therefore, farmers began to accustom domestic chickens to eat insects. To do this, starting from the age of 3 weeks, chopped tops or grated root crops were mixed into regular food, so that the babies got used to the smell of potatoes.

After the chicks were fed this food for 7-14 days, they started adding insects. At the same time, the beetles are crushed, and the larvae are left whole. Those birds that feed on pests get used to their taste and smell from a young age.

Free range birds

If a summer resident starts cesarean or turkey chicks on his plot, then you can let them graze freely from the age of 3 months. Do not be afraid that they will harm the site, they peck insects and do not tear the ground.

Be sure to clip your wings because these birds can fly.

An important condition according to which these birds are kept everywhere in Russia on farm plots and personal lands is their adaptability to severe weather conditions.

Potato cultivation involves constant pest control. Every gardener wants to use as few chemicals as possible. Many, worrying about their own he alth, are looking for ways to solve this problem. Raising insect-eating birds at home is a great way out.

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