How to process tomatoes from the Colorado potato beetle

The greatest harm to plants of the family Solanaceae can cause an invasion of overseas striped guests. The problem of how to deal with the Colorado potato beetle on tomatoes can be solved both by folk methods and by chemical means.

Harm from a beetle on tomatoes

Striped pests were brought to Europe from North America,where they became famous in the late 18th century, having destroyed almost completely the potato crop in the territory of the state of Colorado. It is for this "feat" that they got their name "Colorado" beetle. Insects prefer to eat plants of the nightshade family, which include: potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, sweet peppers and physalis.

The most dangerous for young growing bushes of tomatoes Colorado beetle after he lays his eggs on the leaves, of which later red worm-like larvae appear with spots on the sides. These voracious creatures are able to devour green leaves in large quantities, which is dangerous for tomato seedlings because of its possible damage.

On a note!

The larvae of the Colorado potato beetle are able to completely destroy a tomato bush in 20 days, then move to the next one and continue their “devouring” activity. Later, they fall to the ground, where they pupate, and after 1.5 weeks, a new generation of “Colorado” appears. The warmer the climate, the more time to go through the life cycles of these insects, sometimes up to 4 per year.

At the next stage, the grown-up Colorado beetles adults eat tomatoes in the second half of summer, when the bushes already began to produce fruit.They actively eat leaves and ovaries, and in such a situation, plants need constant effective protection by any means.

Fighting a beetle on tomatoes

Colorado potato beetle on tomatoes

Due to the good adaptability, high reproduction rate and excessive appetite of the larvae and the beetles, the struggle with it in the garden is very difficult. However, many gardeners are trying to protect tomatoes without chemicals from the invasion of "Colorado" in order to get a green crop.

The main methods of struggle that should be carried out regularly and aggressively:

• manual gathering of larvae and beetles from tomato bushes;
• agrotechnical method, which includes actions to increase the resistance of plants to pests: regular loosening of the soil, digging in the fall, changing the landing site, choosing varieties that beetles eat less;
• application folk remedies and solutions for spraying plantings;
• the use of modern chemical products.

Protective and agrotechnical methods include ways to get rid of the Colorado potato beetles. without the use of chemistry and other means:

• when digging the area for solanaceous crops, it is necessary to carefully select dry plant residues;
• Considering that beetles hibernate in the ground, in the spring it is recommended to lay out baits in the form of pieces of raw potatoes, on the smell of which the insects hungry after the winter climb, then they must be collected and destroyed;
• with the appearance of the first larvae on young plants, you can proceed to their manual collection.

Folk methods of struggle

Folk methods of struggle

For many years insect pest control Invented and tested many folk remedies for the Colorado potato beetle on tomatoes and other solanaceous crops.

These include:

• Preparation of a poisonous solution from adult “Colorado”, for which purpose, a one-liter jar of adult beetles collected from the garden is poured into a bucket and 20 liters of water are poured. When the insects die and sink to the bottom, you need to insist the solution for another week. For spraying use only freshly prepared solution, having previously diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1 or 1: 2 and tested on some bushes, because different varieties of tomatoes react to the poison differently. The remaining planting process solutions of the concentration, which was the most acceptable.
• Another proven tool is the use of wood ash,Better than birch: first, it is poured into the wells when planting seedlings; during the flowering period, it is recommended to pollinate the plants with ashes sifted through a sieve in the proportion of 1 kg per 10 sq. The procedure is best carried out after the rain or morning dew, only 3-4 times per season.
• Spray tomatoes infusion consisting of 1 tbsp. sifted wood ash and 200 g of fresh leaves of wormwood, which are poured with boiling water, then insist for 2-3 hours and filtered before processing tomatoes.
• You can also splash tomato bushes with a mixture of 500 g of chopped leaves of wormwood, 1 tbsp. wood ash 1 tbsp. l soap, pour all the bucket of hot water and insist 3-5 hours
• To protect tomatoes from beetles will help planting between rows of beds with tomatoes of odorous plants: garlic, calendula, legumes, nasturtiums, etc.
• Mulching between rows of tomatoes with a straw, in which insect-predators infest that can eat the Colorado beetles: ground beetles, ladybugs, praying mantises, spiders, etc. This method also helps to preserve moisture in the soil and reduce the possibility of weed growth.
• For spraying, you can apply decoctions from the celandine with the addition of calcium chloride, as well as decoctions from the bark of acacia or walnut leaves.

Important!

When processing tomatoes with various herbal infusions and decoctions, it is recommended to alternate them with other methods of control.

Chemicals to kill beetles

Chemicals to kill beetles

In order to destroy the larvae and adult Colorado beetles, experts recommend treating tomatoes from the Colorado potato beetle with such insecticidal preparations:

• Bankol is a popular remedy that helps to eradicate many pests on plants, the poison acts when released into their digestive system, causing immobilization and death within 3 days after treatment. According to the instructions for obtaining a solution, 5 g of the substance is diluted with 10 l of water, this volume should be enough for processing 0.5-1 weave of vegetable garden.
• Bombardier is a powdered drug that is effective against the Colorado potato beetle on tomatoes and potatoes, fruit moths, aphids and other insects that penetrate the body and damage the nervous system.
• The poison Typhoon contains substances insect-acaricidal action that helps protect fruit and vegetable crops from many pests; The working solution is obtained by diluting the bottle of the product in 20 liters of water.
• Commander - a drug of contact-intestinal action (imidacloprid), which allows you to effectively poison the Colorado potato beetle and its larvae. It can be used in 2 ways: by spraying tomato bushes and when applied to the soil, it is produced in ampoules; after treatment, the poisonous substance penetrates the tops, eating which, the pests lose their ability to move and die.

Important!

All listed chemicals can be used only if the protective measures are observed: the preparation of the solution and spraying should be carried out in protective clothing, wearing a respirator and gloves. After applying it, you should thoroughly wash your hands, face, rinse your mouth.

Getting rid of the bushes of tomatoes and potatoes from the Colorado potato beetle and its larvae is possible only with the use of consistently different methods of control throughout the vegetative growth of plants.