Colorado beetles – are pests of the Solanaceae family (they attack potatoes, eggplants and tomatoes). When looking for plants, they can fly as much as 40 km. These insects can severely damage the crops and significantly reduce the harvest. Although their destruction is often used for chemical measures, natural ways are increasingly evaluated to help protect vegetables without harming the environment or soil quality. In this article, we will look at the effective natural remedies to combat Colorado beetles, when they are best destroyed and how to prevent them from spreading.
The damage is caused by adult beetles and larvae. They feed on potato leaves and can destroy the entire plant. If you choose the right plant fertilizer, this can help prevent the invasion of these pests. Potatoes fertilized with manure and compost are less vulnerable than mineral fertilizers. Regular inspection of the leaves and removal of the leaves on which the eggs were placed is the best preventive measure. Turn the leaves transversely as the eggs are placed in the lower part of the leaves. Clean the larvae and adult beetles.
Colorado beetles have few natural enemies – animals such as hedgehogs, moles and pheasants help to destroy them. Natural biological measures, such as fungus Beauveria Bassiana, are also increasingly used to fight these pests, which effectively affects the beetle larvae. In order to protect the vegetables, it is important to start the fight back in the spring without letting the crop beetles spread. It is also recommended to follow the crop rotation principles – the potatoes should be planted in the same place for up to 4-5 years to reduce the risk of pests and maintain soil health.
Potato peel – a great remedy for pests
- After planting the potatoes, place the freshly peeled potato peel in the yogurt jars to fill in 1/3 capacity.
- Put the prepared jars between the planted potato rows. The edge of the jar must be at the ground level.
- After 3-4 days, replace the potato peel with fresh.
In the fight against Colorado beetles, use red onions and other natural remedies
- Colorado beetles cannot stand the smell of rotten red onions, so you can dig these onion shells when planting potatoes.
- When the onion shells begin to rot, their smell will repel Colorado beetles.
- Plant species such as horseradish, chamomile or beans are also very uncomfortable with Colorado beetles.
- Also, Colorado beetles do not like the pine aroma.
- You can spread the shredded pine bark between the beds or prepare the needle solution.
- Mulch the potatoes with nettles as their hair in the hottest days prevents pests from falling into the ground.
Wood ash solution – protection against pests
- Wood ash solution can also help protect plants.
- Mix 2 kg ash with 10 liters of water.
- Dilute 1 l of this solution with 10 liters of water and solution and spray the plants.
Use of birch ash
Another possible solution is the use of birch ash.
It is best to sprinkle the ash in the morning when the leaves are still moist of dew. It will take 10 kg of ash, and the next day there will be no Colorado beetle.
Tobacco
You can also try tobacco solution.
- Spray the leaves of the plants when they dry in the morning dew.
- Spray should be repeated every 5-10 days.
- The last spray must be done 20 days before harvest.
How to destroy the larvae?
The biggest problem is the larvae of the leaves. Adult Colorado beetle lays eggs, which, depending on the temperature, develops larvae within about 15 days. Orange-red larvae, which last from 14 to 21 days, are emerged from the eggs. The application of crop rotation can prevent the mass prevalence of Colorado beetles. If the area where the potatoes grow is not large, you can pick the larvae by hand.
Insecticides
It is very important that the prevalence of Colorado beetles is controlled even when they are at the larvae, as they are most vulnerable at this stage. They can do very much damage if more than 4 larvae appear on 10 plants. It is very important to start using insecticides as early as possible, but it is important to know that Colorado beetles are very fast to resist the tools used.
Pine sawdust
Sprinkle the soil among the plants with pine sawdust. Colorado beetles do not like the smell of pine very much. The procedure should be performed once every 2 weeks before flowering and once a month after flowering.
Great Cloud
Prepare the spray from the roots of this plant.
- Add 100 g of crushed roots to the bowl.
- Add boiling water and leave to stand until cool.
- Pour and pour into a spray bottle. Use this tool 3 times a season.
- It is best to spray in the evening.
A natural remedy for colorado beetles
This recipe was shared with us by the reader. Try this natural remedy that will help you effectively get rid of Colorado beetles. You can use this product not only for potatoes but also for tomatoes and eggplants.
You will need:
- 1 kg of fennel leaves
- 2.5 l of cold water
- 10 g Muilo
- Fill the fennel leaves with water. Leave to soak.
- Cook for 30 minutes on low heat.
- Wait until cool. Purchase.
- Dilute the solution with water (1: 1) and add 10 ml of liquid soap (you can use 10 g of grated soap). Pour into a bottle with a spray and spray the plants.
- The spray works best in the early stages of the pest, so initially collect adult Colorado beetles.
- This spray is also perfect for prophylaxis!
Good luck!
I am Jovita, one of the authors of Hitas.lt articles. From an early age, I like to cook and I am glad that my mother allowed me to experiment in the kitchen. Favorite dishes are undoubtedly desserts. I also like to “spin” at home, so I try to give readers not only fun recipes, but also useful tips for housework.
