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Growing potatoes is always accompanied by the struggle of gardeners with invasions of the Colorado potato beetle. Everyone chooses the method of destroying the leaf beetle pest at their own discretion. The most effective is the use of modern chemicals. But not all summer residents want to use poisonous agents in their area. Firstly, it negatively affects the condition of the soil and plants. Secondly, not every drug is effective enough or requires constant repetition of treatments. Thirdly, the striped beetle does not react to some products after the first spraying, it can be said that it quickly adapts.
In nature, everything is harmonious, and therefore there are natural enemies of the Colorado potato beetle. These are insects and birds that feed on the beetles themselves, their eggs and larvae. For those gardeners who prefer a natural way to kill the pest, it is very important to know who eats the Colorado potato beetle. expanses are poor in such insects – lovers of the leaf beetle. The only representatives should be called lacewing
and “ladybugs”.
But species of domestic and wild birds can provide more significant assistance. After all, the lacewing on the site will do more harm than good if it is bred to destroy striped beetles and their larvae. And besides, ladybugs and lacewings eat adult Colorado beetles very rarely.
Those summer residents who breed poultry are in a better position. The natural enemies of the pest from poultry species are:
- Partridges and common pheasants;
- Domestic guinea fowl;
- Turkeys;
- Chickens.
All of them successfully cope with leaf beetles and other pests in gardens, and at the same time they are very much appreciated for their dietary meat.
Important! Turkeys and guinea fowls must have their flight wings clipped so that they cannot fly.
Bedbugs, predatory beetles, field mice, toads, moles and lizards are considered natural antagonists of the Colorados. What wild bird eats Colorado potato beetles? These are cuckoos, hoopoes, crows and starlings.
Who eats the Colorado potato beetle from poultry
To appreciate all the benefits that poultry brings in the fight against the striped beetle, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each species.
Partridges and pheasants
Summer residents prefer to start gray partridges to get rid of leaf beetles, as well as their larvae.
These discreet birds tolerate adverse conditions very well and easily withstand small disturbances in rearing requirements. Gain weight easily. Pheasants and gray partridges are biological defenders of vegetable gardens not only from the striped beetle and its larvae, but also from the cabbage white, weevil. It is these representatives of poultry that are widespread in nature and are highly adaptable.
Sometimes gardeners use open range in the pheasant area.
Birds are very fond of feasting on pests of garden crops, but along the way they can trample on plantings. Therefore, they should not be left unattended.
Domestic guinea fowl
Unpretentious, common poultry. Guinea fowls lay hypoallergenic eggs, which are used in baby and diet food. The larvae of the Colorado potato beetles eat directly from the plants, without raking the ground. The bird is very hardy, rarely gets sick, mainly due to poor quality food. Despite their small size, guinea chickens can cope well even with a large population of the formidable potato enemy. They find adult beetles instantly, and guinea fowl larvae are a real delicacy. Gardeners consider guinea fowls to be the natural orderlies of their plots. They feed on many types of insect pests, which provide invaluable benefits and supply delicious meat to the table. Resistant to weather fluctuations and low temperatures. Can withstand from +40°С to -50°С.
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Turkeys
They require more attention when growing, demanding on the conditions of detention. With adverse factors, it is easy to refuse food. More prone to diseases and have a complex disposition, require a special approach.
Walking poultry in order to destroy the pest on the site, it is advisable to carry out at the beginning of summer. During this period, there is an active development of leaf beetle larvae.
Poultry training methodology
Chickens actively destroy the Colorado potato beetle, birds begin after training.
Otherwise, they are indifferent to the larvae and do not peck them. To achieve a positive result, they begin to accustom young animals at the age of 3-4 months. The learning technology is quite simple:
- First, crushed larvae of the Colorado potato beetle are added to the feed. This is necessary to achieve associative visualization in domestic chickens and other poultry.
- Then chopped potato tops or grated tubers are mixed into the usual food so that the chickens get used to the smell.
- A week after the start of training, the dose of supplements is increased.
- As soon as the bird gets used to the larvae and potatoes, you can release natural exterminators into the garden. They themselves will peck pests from plants.
This is necessary to maintain the health of poultry.
How chickens easily cope with the pest after preparation, you can watch the video:
