10 best remedies for the Colorado potato beetle

10 Fitoverm

The ranking of the best Fitoverm opens - a new generation insecticide. However, it cannot be called modern; the drug became widespread back in the 90s. Nowadays it does not lose its relevance. Unlike strong chemicals, the formula has no harmful effects on nature. It affects most known garden pests. The basis is animal materials. They are also dangerous, but cannot be compared in toxicity with their poisonous counterparts.

One of the main advantages of Fitoverm is its compatibility with insecticides, growth regulators, and fungicides. It is prohibited to use only with those drugs that have an alkaline reaction. It is easy to check the interaction: if after mixing Fitoverm precipitates, it does not combine with the product. Reviews call the drug effective, but warn that several treatments will be required. Colorado potato beetle eggs are not affected. Adults die within 7-8 hours.

Celandine

The plant can rid the area of the Colorado potato beetle for at least 2 weeks. Celandine juice kills both larvae and adults, and also has a repellent effect. You can use the plant as mulch or prepare a decoction from it.

In the first case, you need to mow down the celandine and place it under each potato bush. As soon as it starts to dry out, the layer should be renewed. It is important to ensure that there is no over-steaming.

Dry or fresh stems of the crop are used for the solution. They are placed in a bucket, filled completely, compacted and filled with water. All this is boiled for 15 minutes, allowed to cool and strained. To carry out the treatment, you should take 500 ml of the drug, dilute it in a bucket of water and spray the bushes.

You can protect plants before planting. To do this, the tubers are sent to a strong celandine solution, which gives them good protection. The product is prepared as follows: a bucket is filled with fresh grass, compacted and filled with water, and boiled. All this is left to infuse for 24 hours without diluting.

It is worth remembering that celandine is dangerous to humans, so when working with it you need to wear closed clothing, shoes, and gloves.

7 Rofatox Colorado

Rofatox Colorado is a systemic insecticide that penetrates through the roots into the plant's vascular system, killing all insects that eat it. The formula remains in the leaves and stems for a long time and has a high concentration of poison. This prolongs the protection of the garden. The composition paralyzes the nervous system of the Colorado potato beetle at any stage of development. Unlike most drugs that need to be diluted in water, this one is ready for use. However, it turns out to be expensive; one pack is enough for a garden of up to 3 acres.

The manufacturer assures that the product has no analogues in Russia, since the formula attracts pests. It copes not only with beetles, but also with wireworms and mole crickets. Buyers in reviews call the product effective, and the manufacturer - proven. He has obtained the necessary quality certificates. The drug does not act immediately, it takes from a day to several days. It does not affect the eggs, so you need to treat the plants at least twice.

The best remedies for the Colorado potato beetle before planting potatoes

Such preparations are intended for treating planting material in order to avoid attacks by the Colorado potato beetle after it is embedded in the ground. Thanks to them, pests do not eat up the entire vegetative part after germination and it is possible to increase the yield. VyborExpert experts took 6 popular products for comparison and, by analyzing reviews about them, as well as product characteristics, added 2 best options to the rating.

Taboo

Potato tuber protectant “Tabu” protects against wireworms and the Colorado potato beetle. The product is intended for treating vegetables before planting, at the most dangerous stage of sprouts and shoots. The drug has pronounced activity against adult and young parasites. Its effectiveness is not affected by high humidity, drought, or applied fertilizers.

The composition is based on the active ingredient imidacloprid. The high concentration of this component causes the insecticide to act quickly and lasting for 30-45 days. When trying to eat the pickled tubers, the pests die within 24 hours.

There are two ways to use the drug. To treat tubers before planting, 8 ml is diluted in 1 liter of water at a consumption of 1 liter per 100 kg of vegetables. You can also pour a solution into the furrows in the proportions of 4 ml/10 l of liquid while spreading the potatoes. The optimal application of the composition is 10 liters per 100 sq. m.

Advantages

High imidacloprid content – 500 g/l;
Available in concentrate form;
Safe for earthworms;
Uniformity of application;
Not a chemical smell.

Flaws

First requires dilution in 1 liter of water;
The prepared solution cannot be stored;
Pickled tubers must be dried before being planted in the ground.

The best time to spray with a remedy for the Colorado potato beetle before planting is before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. After treatment, the crop cannot be harvested immediately.

Prestige

The product "Prestige" gets rid of not only colorados, but also wireworms, aphids, and moths. This is a systemic contact insectofungicide that begins to act immediately after an attempt to eat the tubers. It is also suitable for processing tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and cabbage. Compared to competitors in the rating, it can be combined in the same tank with other fungicides without reducing effectiveness. The product can be used in both warm and cool weather.

The insecticide "Prestige" is available in 60 ml containers in the form of a concentrate. To prepare the working solution, this amount is mixed with 0.6-1.2 liters of water, after which the planting material is treated with a sprayer. Then the potatoes are thoroughly mixed and planted immediately; they cannot be stored for longer than a day. In addition to the main effect, the protection of the tops from “stress” is enhanced. The effectiveness of the drug is due to the high concentration of active substances - pencycuron and imidacloprid.

Advantages

Shelf life – 36 months;
Detailed instructions for use;
Does not cause allergies;
Long lasting protection;
Does not impair the taste of the crop.

Flaws

High price.

The kit includes a plastic measuring cap to ensure accurate dosage. It is not recommended to exceed it.

6 Imidor VRK

Imidor VRK combines three important advantages: profitability, low cost, efficiency. The product was created to combat pests, it is not addictive. The result is visible within 24 hours. The manufacturer assures that it is enough to cultivate the land once a season; one bag is enough for 10 acres. The formula is supplemented with ingredients that accelerate plant development. The best effect occurs in the initial stages of vegetable growth. The drug envelops the tubers, acting only on their surface. It has a hazard class 3, it kills bees and other beneficial insects.

Reviews recommend paying special attention to application technique and being careful. The poison should not be sprayed near water bodies, burned or thrown away. The composition smells strongly of chemicals, it even hurts the eyes. But the Colorado potato beetle dies within a few minutes. Most buyers use the drug more than once a season, saying that it is not enough for such a long period of time.

Folk remedies

Many summer residents prefer to use traditional methods to combat parasites. Some of them are quite successful options, especially for small colonies of insects in the garden.

Consider the following recipes:

Pour crushed wormwood into a bucket, then pour boiling water over it. Leave to brew for 2 days, strain and spray the vegetable bushes,
Rub laundry soap and mix the mixture with 2 liters of wood ash. Fill with water (10 liters), stir until the soap dissolves, after which you can treat the planting leaves,
Dangerous pests are afraid of calendula, marigolds and dill. Such plants should be planted in rows along the edges of potato beds. The aroma of such plantings will repel insects,
The sifted ash should be scattered on the soil near the potatoes,
You can make a decoction with tobacco, pepper, burdock, chopped garlic - you need to spray the beds with this mixture twice a week throughout the season,
Every gardener knows about the effectiveness of potassium permanganate, copper sulfate, boric acid, to which shavings from laundry soap are added.

5 Commander

Commander is one of the most budget-friendly, yet effective tools. It helps against the Colorado potato beetle, whitefly, aphids, and wireworms. The basis of the formula is imidacloprid, a strong organic poison. The drug comes in bottles and ampoules of different sizes; the manufacturer does not force you to buy a huge jar. The formula has systemic activity and quickly penetrates the leaves of treated plants. It spreads along the branches and reaches the top. If a beetle bites such a plant, it will lose the ability to move and die within a few hours. The composition is excellent for combating adults and larvae.

The advantage of the Commander is its use in all weather conditions. Of course, it is better that the chemical does not get into water bodies. The formula differs in action from most organophosphorus insecticides; the risk of addiction to it is much lower. Active ingredients stimulate plant growth and increase their resistance to parasites.

What brand of remedy for the Colorado potato beetle is better to choose?

The Russian market for insecticides for protecting potatoes and other vegetable crops from attacks by the Colorado potato beetle is well developed. It presents products from both domestic and foreign manufacturers. However, the undisputed leaders in terms of quality and volume of supplied products, as well as in terms of the price-quality ratio of goods, are suppliers from the Russian Federation.

To figure out which remedy for Colorado is better, you need to delve into the history of each company represented in the rating:

August (Tabu and Tanrek) is a Russian company that produces products for controlling potato pests. The company was founded in 1990. At the end of 2021, according to the RBC rating, it entered the TOP 500 companies in terms of sales proceeds. He has his own research center, within which specialists develop new formulas. He is the author of more than 100 recipes for use in small household plots and farms. Over the history of the company's development, it has been issued 32 patents.
Bayer (Prestige) is a German pharmaceutical company founded in 1863 in Barmen. Today its headquarters are in Leverkusen. The company is named after its founder Friedrich Bayer. The company's assortment includes products for the treatment of various diseases and care for all kinds of vegetable crops. Treatants for potato seedlings with insecticidal and fungicidal effects deserve special attention. His preparations are universal - they get rid of the Colorado potato beetle, wireworm, aphids and a number of other pests.
Kvant (Ecokiller) is a Russian company founded in 2009 in the Penza region. It has permission to extract minerals from the Chuvarleyskoye deposit. The company processes diatomite – loose or cemented siliceous deposits. This powder is used in the creation of dietary supplements, probiotics, cosmetics, and products for agricultural needs. The assortment includes both pure components and finished products. The manufacturer guarantees the destruction of the Colorado potato beetle on potatoes using products without toxic chemicals.
Rubit (Zaman) is a brand of preparations for garden pests: herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides. The manufacturer has products to combat flies, mole crickets, and wireworms. They are available in the form of a concentrate for preparing a working solution, which reduces liquid consumption. They are distinguished by fast and long-lasting action - up to 20-30 days. Characteristic features of the brand’s products are resistance to high humidity and high temperatures, due to which all this can be used without strict time constraints.
JOY (Kalash) is a brand of fertilizers and means of protecting vegetable crops from pests. They are characterized by a long shelf life - up to 3 years, high activity against adults and larvae, rapid and long-lasting effects. After treatments, parasites do not develop immunity to the drugs. The company's products are effective against Colorado. They are also used to prevent late blight, powdery mildew, and alternaria. JOY insecticides are environmentally friendly and do not pose a threat to human and animal health.
Shchelkovo Agrokhim (Imidor VRK Zhukoboy) - the company was founded in 1998. The base was VNIIHSZR (All-Russian Research Institute of Chemical Plant Protection Products) and the Shchelkovo enterprise Agrokhim. Today it produces biological products, agrochemicals and products for the prevention of pest attacks on vegetable crops. Production facilities are located in Kazakhstan and Russia. Shchelkovo Agrokhim products entered the CIS and Far Abroad markets. The company has representative offices in 45 cities of the Russian Federation.

The best mouse repellers

3 Tanrek 100 ml

Tanrek is one of the best insecticides that works against the Colorado potato beetle, pests on flowers, bushes, trees, and even helps against locusts. The manufacturer confirmed the quality with certificates of compliance with three international standards. The formula does not have a negative effect on plants, if you believe the promises, it is not addictive to beetles. The main advantage is the longest protective effect, which does not change at high temperatures and rain. It is enough to treat the garden once to forget about pests for the season.

Reviews call the poison strong and talk about the ease of use of the product against all problems. Visible results occur within a few hours after use. The drug is sold in ampoules, it is diluted in ordinary water, the consistency is easy to control. However, the poison is potent; it should not come into contact with human skin and mucous membranes.

The best remedies for the Colorado potato beetle during the growing season

The growing season is the most crucial moment, because most often the green part of the bushes (tops) is attacked. When it is eaten, the plant cannot further develop normally and the yield decreases. To avoid this, it is recommended to treat potatoes with special working solutions at least once every 20-30 days. For their preparation, the means described further in the TOP are suitable. They were selected by comparing the capabilities of all nominees.

Ecokiller

The Ecokiller product is available in powder form and kills both adult individuals and larvae of the Colorado potato beetle. Therefore, it can be used in the spring even in the absence of traces of parasites for prevention purposes. The drug is quite effective, but it is recommended to reuse it just in case. The first time the powder is added directly to the hole (no more than 15 g), and the next day another 2-3 tbsp is added to the plot. l. You can also pollinate the soil around the tops after germination.

The drug for the Colorado potato beetle is easy to use; it is best to use it before 14:00, while there is still dew. The product begins to act quickly, immediately after drying. The bioinsecticide is completely natural and environmentally friendly; it contains SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O. All these components do not harm humans and plants.

Ecokiller is approved by Rospotrebnadzor and the Research Institute. It is sold in a 1000 ml bucket. The product is multifunctional - in addition, it suppresses mold and repels mole crickets, absorbs pesticides, and prolongs the effect of fertilizers.

Advantages

Fights ants and slugs;
Suitable for use at home, for example against bed bugs;
Does not leave residue after dissolving in water;
Easily sprayed through a spray bottle;
No toxic odor;
Insects do not develop immunity to it.

Flaws

Requires direct contact with Colorado;
Does not prevent replay attacks.

The drug acts in 3 stages: first it disrupts the integrity of the insect’s protective layer, scratching it thanks to microparticles of diatomite, then it draws moisture out of it and, as a result, leads to the death of the parasite.

Rubit Zaman

The universal product “Rubit Zaman” protects potato tubers from the Colorado potato beetle, ladybugs, aphids and a number of other pests. The drug is effective against both adults and larvae. It has a contact and systemic effect, continuing to work for a long time. The insecticide is available in liquid form in a 10 ml bottle and is economically consumed - 4 liters per 100 sq. m. m for vegetables and 5 liters for apple trees. The working solution is prepared by mixing the disinfectant and water in accordance with the instructions.

The product dissolves quickly in water, but for this it needs to be stirred continuously when adding. After mixing the components, you can immediately begin spraying the tops, which is carried out during the growing season. The diluted drug cannot be stored and loses its effectiveness. Then you need to rinse and dry the used container. Parasites die within 2-3 hours. You can go to work in the garden no earlier than after 3-4 days. Protection lasts for 14-21 days.

Potato tubers can be processed early in the morning or late in the evening. The air temperature should be at least 15 degrees, and the wind should blow at a speed of maximum 1-2 m per second. This option is not suitable if there are apiaries nearby, since it is highly dangerous for them. After treatment with a preparation for potatoes against the Colorado potato beetle, it is recommended to limit them for 6-10 days. For the same reason, the use of the drug for spraying flowering pollinated crops in the warm season is not allowed.

Advantages

Non-toxic if the consumption rate is observed;
Low probability of beetle resistance;
Efficiency is not affected by exposure to rain;
Not afraid of high temperatures;
Wide use.

Flaws

Cannot be mixed with other pesticides;
May cause the death of bees in the apiary;
Prohibited for use near fishing waters.

The drug belongs to hazard class 3 and 2 in terms of persistence in the ground. You cannot work with it without safety glasses, a special respirator, headgear, overalls and shoes.

JOY Kalash

This is an inexpensive remedy for the Colorado potato beetle, which neutralizes adult parasites and their larvae. The high effectiveness of the drug is due to the high content of the active substance imidacloprid with a long period of protection. To do this, just one treatment of the tops is enough. JOY Kalash works even at high temperatures and high humidity - it is not washed off with water when watering or in the rain.

The drug "JOY Kalash" is suitable for repeated use because it does not cause addiction to parasites. It does not affect the quality and taste of the crop. The product fights not only Colorado potato, but also greenhouse whitefly in cucumbers and tomatoes growing indoors. Initially, it is dissolved in a small amount of clean water, which is then added. The recommended period for using the insecticide is from May to August.

Advantages

Economical consumption - 5 liters per 100 sq. m.;
One container is enough to prepare 50 ml of the treatment mixture;
Adequate smell;
Does not dry out bushes;
Does not affect the quality and taste of potato tubers.

Flaws

Considerable consumption of working fluid - 10 liters per 100 sq. m (for cucumbers).

The drug has a shelf life of 24 months from the date of production and, according to reviews from gardeners, does not lose its effectiveness over time.

Tanrek

One treatment with Tanrecom is enough for 15-25 days. The pests die within 2-3 days after the tops are treated. This is an option for a wide range of applications - for caring for cucumbers, tomatoes, apple trees, currants, and potatoes. It is also used in the fight against parasites on flowers. Separately, it is worth noting the cost-effectiveness of using the product against the Colorado potato beetle, since it is a concentrate. Insecticidal liquid (2-4 ml) must be diluted in 10 liters of water, and then immediately sprayed on the plants.

Tanrek is safe for the environment and humans, but when working with it you still need to use personal protective equipment - a bandage and gloves. The best time to process potatoes is warm and dry weather, without wind, so that the liquid does not fall on neighboring garden crops. Mixed components must be used immediately, otherwise they become useless. It is sold in 10 ml ampoules, the walls of which are not transparent. Therefore, it is not very convenient to monitor the consumption of the drug.

Advantages

Fast action;
Duration of work;
One package lasts a long time;
Convenient release form;
Variety of effects.

Flaws

It affects the Colorado potato beetle only directly, upon contact.

Reviews show that one treatment is really enough for at least a month. But for this, the solution must be prepared in accordance with the instructions and used immediately.

Imidor VRK Beetlebreaker

...I have experience using this product. With his help, I managed to cope with the Colorado invasion. However, one treatment may not be enough. The tops and tubers were not damaged by it...

Expert opinion

The product “Imidor VRK Beetle Boy” is specially designed to combat the Colorado potato beetle and its larvae on potatoes. The manufacturer assures that one treatment per season is sufficient. That is, the drug is both “therapeutic” and preventive. The product is not addictive to pests and can be used effectively for several years in a row. It acts systemically - the insecticide is absorbed into the leaves of the bushes and quickly distributed inside, creating a barrier for parasites that die both in direct contact with the liquid and when eating tubers.

The insecticide “Imidor VRK Beetle Boy” destroys Colorado within 24 hours and saves even from hiding beetles. Due to the lack of addiction in insects, the result is ensured for at least 3 months. The drug is not afraid of heat and high humidity, after which you can water your vegetables. When used within normal limits, it does not pose a threat to humans and potatoes. Its hazard class is moderate – 3rd.

Advantages

Long period of use - from April to August;
Stored at temperatures from -10 to +30 degrees;
Low consumption - 5 liters of water per 100 sq. m during spraying;
Does not affect the taste of potatoes;
Does not harm nature.

Flaws

It is not recommended to use shortly before harvest.

Reviews indicate that the remedy for the Colorado potato beetle is safe for plants and humans, but users still recommend using protective gloves when working with it.

2 Ecokiller

Ecokiller, as the name suggests, uses the power of natural ingredients against the Colorado potato beetle. The drug consists of 100% Diatomite. The latter is a mountain siege in which algae shells remain. The formula is contact, kills parasites upon contact with them. It instantly causes damage to the outer layer and has better performance. The composition works against beetles and wireworms, suppresses the development of fungi and mold. The manufacturer talks about increasing productivity and helping plants.

For the product to be effective, the pest must run through the powder. Therefore, it needs to be generously scattered throughout the garden. If contact occurs, the Colorado potato beetle has no chance of survival. Reviews write about the lack of stability, which often occurs when using chemicals. The manufacturer says that nature does not provide protection from the destructive effects of Diatomite. Although it is safe for people and animals.

Content

1. “Coragen Expert Garden” based on CHLORANTRANILIPROLE from the Colorado potato beetle
2. “Aktara” and others based on TIAMETHOXAM from the Colorado potato beetle
3. “Commander” / “Tanrek” / “Corado” / “Confidelin”, etc. based on IMIDACLOPRID from the Colorado potato beetle
4. “Stozhar, RP”
5. “Inta-Vir” / “Shar Pei” / “Alatar”, etc. based on CYPERMETHRIN
6. “Decis-Expert” based on DELTAMETHRIN from the Colorado potato beetle
7. “Aria” / “Monarch” / “Regent” based on FIPRONIL from the Colorado potato beetle
8. Inorganic insecticides for the Colorado potato beetle
9. Organophosphate insecticides for the Colorado potato beetle
10. “Zhukoed, SK” / “Zhukobor-Extra” / “Batraider, SK” - multicomponent preparations for the Colorado potato beetle
As a conclusion

There are a huge number of drugs on the market in bright packaging and with sonorous names. How not to get lost in such diversity and choose effective remedies for the Colorado potato beetle.

To carry out quality processing, it is important to understand two main points:

what potato treatments are carried out;
what drugs are used at this or that stage.

So, in order. Potatoes will be treated with pesticides against pests at the following stages:

before landing (pre-landing preparation);
vegetative development;
and before storing.

MORE DETAILS: “Preparations for treating potatoes BEFORE PLANTING (list + recommendations for selection)”

In this material we will consider preparations and their active ingredients for treating potatoes and other plants of the nightshade family against the Colorado potato beetle at the stage of VEGETATIVE development.

Effective products against the Colorado potato beetle for treating potatoes at the stage of vegetative development are made based on the following active ingredients:

chlorantraniliprole (drug "Coragen");
thiamethoxam (drugs "Aktara", "Kaiser", "Ephoria", etc.);
imidacloprid (preparations “Confidelin”, “Tanrek”, “Commander”, “Zubr”, “Korado”, “Imidor”, “Konfidor”, “Iskra Zolotaya”, etc.);
acetamiprid (drugs “Stozhar”, “Mospilan”);
cypermethrin (preparations “Inta-vir”, “Cypermethrin”, “Kinmiks”, “Iskra-Double effect”, etc.);
deltamethrin (preparations “Decis Expert”, “Atom”, “K-Obiol”, etc.);
fipronil (drugs “Aria”, “Monarch”, “Regent”, etc.);
organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) based on malathion (preparations “Karbofos”, “Alatar”, “Iskra-M”, “Aliot”, “Phenaxin”, “Fufanon-Nova/Expert”, etc.) or pirimifos-methyl (drug " Actellik") are currently not used or are rarely used against the Colorado potato beetle;
aversectin (biological product “Fitoverm”, etc.), is currently not used against the Colorado potato beetle due to low efficiency;
inorganic substances (for example, diatomite - the drug "Ecokiller", tobacco dust - the drug "Tabazol", etc.).

Drugs can be single-component (one active ingredient) or multi-component (two or more active ingredients).

MORE DETAILS: “INSECTICIDES - summary table of drugs used (by composition/active substance)“

1 Prestige

Prestige is a modern water-soluble concentrate that is the best for combating the Colorado potato beetle and its larvae. The drug copes well with aphids, whiteflies, and wireworms. It has a systemic and contact effect and is not afraid of rain. The leaves need to be treated with the solution, then the composition will quickly penetrate the plant. This explains the long-lasting effect. The formula does not lose effectiveness in hot weather and is easy to use. The manufacturer assures that it is enough to treat the garden once a season, the pests will not return.

Reviews talk about the absence of odor, mentioning the most delicate formula (as far as possible with chemicals). However, repeated treatment is necessary against the Colorado potato beetle, especially if the neighbor’s garden is nearby. The ampoule is diluted with plain water to produce a finely dispersed solution. The foliage must be moistened generously; the poison runs out quickly. After use, you need to rinse your mouth.

Rating of the best remedies for the Colorado potato beetle

The most important criterion when selecting nominees was the effectiveness and safety of drugs for nature and humans. If the benefit outweighs the harm, it is better not to use the product.

The key characteristics that were paid attention to were:

Purpose – pre-planting treatment or application after emergence;
Types of pests killed - Colorado potato beetle, aphid, mole cricket, etc.;
Vegetable crops suitable for care are potatoes, cabbage, sweet peppers, eggplants, tomatoes;
Release form – liquid or solid (powder, granules);
Recommended ratio of components of the working mixture - concentrate and water;
Consumption rate per sq. m;
Composition and concentration of active substances;
Hazard class of products for treatment against the Colorado potato beetle;
Speed and duration of exposure;
Operating principle – contact and/or system;
Processing method – spraying or adding pure powder;
Possibility of storing working solution;
Packaging volume;
Smell;
Application conditions: weather and time.

During the preparation of the review, the price-quality ratio of the drugs was also taken into account. Feedback from amateur gardeners and professional farmers was important.

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