Killer – a remedy for the Colorado potato beetle 

The Colorado potato beetle causes damage to plantings of potatoes, and can spread to other crops. The most effective are chemical preparations aimed at the destruction of insects. One such remedy is the Killer from the Colorado potato beetle. The active components of the drug have a paralyzing effect on pests.

Subject to safety measures, you can get rid of Colorado potato beetles for a long period of time. Chemicals must not interact with food and liquids.

Description of the Colorado potato beetle

The Colorado potato beetle is one of the most dangerous pests in the garden. This is a representative of the leaf beetle family, imported from Colorado and spread throughout Eurasia. In Our Country, the Colorado potato beetle appeared in the forties of the twentieth century.

The pest is easily recognizable by its characteristic black and yellow coloration. The size of the beetle is no more than 12 mm. The body of the insect is oval, with stripes on the back and black spots on the head. Beetle larvae are distinguished by gray or black-yellow color.

The Colorado potato beetle spends the winter at a depth of up to 0,3 m. If the soil is sandy, then the pest penetrates to a depth of up to 0,5 m. Then its population does not die during frosts. Depending on the ambient temperature and precipitation, the Colorado potato beetle comes to the surface in May or a few weeks earlier.

Due to the developed wings, the Colorado potato beetle can make long flights. Usually the pest appears from neighboring areas or as a result of mass migration.

Harm from the Colorado potato beetle

The female Colorado potato beetle lays her eggs on the lower part of the leaves of plants from the beginning of spring to the onset of autumn. In one summer, 2-3 generations of beetles may appear.

The larvae begin to hatch within 5 to 14 days, which largely depends on the temperature. The larvae go through several stages of development. During this period, they need intensive nutrition, so they intensively eat the upper parts of the shoots.

Then the larvae go into the ground, where pupation and the formation of an adult occur. The Colorado potato beetle feeds on plants for up to 20 days. In the heat, insects migrate in search of a source of food. As a result, the area of ​​their settlement is several tens of kilometers.

The pest can be found on eggplant, peppers, tomatoes. The insect is active from April until the end of the summer season. If the potato leaves are not sufficiently formed, then the beetle moves to other crops.

In the spring, the Colorado potato beetle eats young shoots, in the middle of summer it switches to inflorescences. At the final stage of the season, the lower parts of the potato suffer.

Features of the drug

Killer is a complex action drug that can cope with various pests. The tool is suitable for the treatment of landings from the Colorado potato beetle, whitefly, ticks and aphids.

Means is intended for processing of a potato, vegetable and fruit and berry cultures. It is allowed to use it in open ground, as well as in greenhouses and other closed structures.

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Compared to other remedies for the Colorado potato beetle, Killer has the following advantages:

• destroys insects in a short time;
• has no phytotoxic effect;
• retains properties when exposed to rain;
• does not cause addiction in insects;
• can be used in hot weather;
• effectively acts at all stages of development of the Colorado potato beetle (eggs, larvae and adults).

Active ingredients

The composition of the drug Killer includes the following substances:

• cypermethrin in the amount of 50 g per liter;
• chlorpyrifos at a dosage of 500 g per liter.

Cypermethrin is a chemical that consists of 8 isomers. Each of them has a certain effect on insects. The combination of these components has a detrimental effect on the Colorado potato beetle.

The substance affects the nervous system of pests due to contact-intestinal effects. As a result, the activity of the Colorado potato beetle stops, and the insect dies.

Its effectiveness remains high for another month. The substance retains its properties under the influence of the sun and high temperatures.

Chlorpyrifos is fatal to Colorado potato beetle larvae. When it enters the body of an insect, the substance paralyzes it and causes death. Chlorpyrifos acts on the Colorado potato beetle through the respiratory system.

Chlorpyrifos is resistant to environmental factors. The activity of this component can last for 70 days. In the soil, the substance is stored for up to 4 months.

Due to the complex effect of active substances, the effect is both on the larvae and on full-fledged individuals. Therefore, the drug has a fast action and retains its properties for a long time under the influence of external factors.

The killer destroys the Colorado potato beetle within 2 days. The protective effect lasts for three weeks.

Handling time

The killer is used in two ways:

• potato tubers are processed before planting;
• bushes are sprayed during the growing season of plants.

Potato tubers are processed before planting. To do this, they are sprayed with a solution based on the drug. Then the tubers are mixed.

During the growing season, a single treatment is allowed. At the same time, they are guided by the timing of the harvest. It is not allowed to carry out work 45 days or less before harvesting potatoes.

For spraying, choose morning or evening time, when there is no direct exposure to the sun. Processing is not carried out with strong wind and precipitation.

Consumption rates

When using the Killer, the proportions of the substance are strictly observed. The drug is not used in its pure form, a solution is prepared on its basis.

The consumption of the substance depends on the processing method. If you need to pickle the planting material, then 0,5 ml of the drug is needed for 10 liters of water. The specified amount is sufficient to process 25 kg of tubers.

Safety measures

When carrying out work, the prescribed precautions must be observed:

• Perform all actions according to the instructions. The mandatory supplement to the drug indicates its dosage, side effects, storage rules, combination with other drugs.
• Observe the established proportions. If the dosage of the drug is less, then the remedy for the Colorado potato beetle will not have the necessary effect. Exceeding the norm of a substance can cause damage to humans, animals and the plantings themselves.
• Do not use drugs that have been stored in violation of the rules. You should also refuse to use funds that have already expired.
• Killer must be bred before using it. Storage of the drug is hazardous to the environment. If you leave the solution, then over time its effectiveness will decrease significantly.

  

• The use of protective equipment for the respiratory system, vision, skin. For this, masks, gloves, protective suits are used.
• If the substance gets on the skin, the contact point is washed with water. If your eyes or digestive system are affected, you should immediately consult a doctor.
• During the work it is forbidden to smoke, take food and liquids.
• Children and animals should not be present during processing.
• After completion of the work, the suit and other protective equipment are treated to eliminate the remnants of the drug.
• If the solution is not completely used, then it is forbidden to pour it into the sewer or leave it on the site. It is better to bury the rest of the funds in a vacant lot.

Basic analogues

• Destroy. An effective remedy for the Colorado potato beetle, which is available in the form of a suspension. The active ingredients are aimed at neutralizing the activity of the nervous system. The drug begins to act within a day and remains active for another 20 days. Destroy does not break down at high or low temperatures.

  

• Prestige. Means for processing potato tubers before planting. After 50 days, its active ingredients break down into non-toxic components. To eliminate the Colorado potato beetle on potatoes, a working solution is being prepared.
• Aktara. A drug that has an intestinal-contact effect. Its components penetrate the body of the Colorado potato beetle and begin to act after a few hours. Aktara retains its properties at any temperature, has an economical consumption and a long-lasting effect.
• Commander. A low-toxic insecticide that allows you to get rid of pests during their mass distribution. The drug tolerates cold snaps well and is not washed off by rain. To achieve the desired result, one treatment during the season is enough.

  

• Iskra. The drug is available in tablets, which are diluted with water to obtain a solution. The agent penetrates into insects by contact or intestinal means. The effect of the drug lasts for 2 weeks. Processing is carried out by spraying potato plantings. The spark has an average toxicity.
• Intavir. A drug in the form of tablets that is effective against Colorado potato beetles. The action of the remedy begins within the first day and lasts 2 weeks. Processing is carried out by spraying. It is allowed to carry out the procedure twice per season.

  

Conclusion

The Killer drug is an insecticide that can cope with various garden pests. The tool is used to combat the Colorado potato beetle. This pest begins to show activity in early spring, during the summer it eats potato tops and other plants. If timely measures are not taken, the yield of potatoes will decrease.

Killer must be used in strict accordance with the instructions. When working with the solution, protective equipment is used. The prescribed dosages must be observed. Potato processing takes place in two stages. Before planting, the tubers are disinfected with the drug. During the growing season of potatoes, a single spraying is sufficient. The impact is carried out at any stage of insect development.