How to process potatoes with tar from the Colorado potato beetle
There are many ways to process potatoes from the Colorado potato beetle. The most popular way: tar treatment of potatoes. With the minimum amount of ingredients added, you have an effective bug control. Tar from the Colorado potato beetle is the best method not only for repulsion, but also for prevention from various pests. Tar treating young potatoes is a popular practice in many countries.
Tar from the Colorado potato beetle
Also, by spraying with tar, you can get rid of not only Colorado beetles, but also other parasites, for example, onion flies, wireworms, cabbage and carrot flies. This method is very effective in protecting against unwanted guests - mice and hares.
Features of tar processing
Among all the possible methods of processing potatoes from parasites, especially the Colorado potato beetle, it is important to highlight the method in which there is the presence of such an element as tar. He does not kill a beetle, he does not have such opportunities. Its functions include only the presence of an unpleasant, frightening odor from pests. And your function is to process the potatoes with a solution that will turn out after mixing all the necessary ingredients.
Processing tips
Despite the fact that the process of spraying potatoes is quite simple, you need to know some secrets and tips that will help you achieve a more effective result:
- Pay attention to weather conditions. It would seem that the weather does not play a role here. Nevertheless, it is recommended to process potatoes in cloudy weather or in the late afternoon, when the sun's rays will be most effective with tar.
- It happens that during a rainy summer, the tar will be washed off, so under such conditions it is worth processing more often. In fact, the frequency of repetitions of the process depends on the weather conditions.
- You also need to know that tar does not kill Colorado beetles, it just scares them off with its smell. That is why it is so important to remove all beetles before processing, or to spray the potatoes in the early stages of their development, when the beetles have not yet appeared.
If you take into account all the tips, then you can get rid of the pest forever. Your time will no longer take the fight against the hated Colorado potato beetle. But, it is clear that for such an effect it will not be enough once, such actions should be done 3-4 times per season, but only while the potatoes are still young.
What tar to choose
When processing, you can use both birch tar and birch bark.
What is the difference between them? What will be the result if you use one of them?
It is worth noting that birch tar is obtained from the distillation of birch bark. It is impregnated with antiseptic and antiparasitic properties. The result is a liquid with a persistent odor, one of the purposes of birch tar is pest control. The liquid is actively used not only to scare off Colorado beetles and other parasites, but also to treat problems with acne, various kinds of cosmetic deviations.
The process of getting birch tar is a little more complicated than birch. In comparison with it, the liquid from birch bark turns out to be clean and fragrant. It is often bought for the treatment of various diseases. You can use one type of tar or another to destroy parasites. Many agronomists claim that birch tar is more effective due to the fact that it has a worse and more unpleasant smell. But it all depends on your preference.
How to prepare a solution
Soap solution against the beetle
To prepare a solution for sprinkling potatoes with tar, you do not need to buy very expensive products. It attracts with its availability. In order to obtain the desired solution you need:
- birch or birch bark tar;
- water;
- laundry soap.
Many agronomists argue about the need to purchase a soap item. Some believe that it adds efficiency and harshness to the smell of the solution, but others believe that it is useless. Laundry soap can be added at will, it does not have a special effect on the result.
First you need to take 1 liter or 1.5 liters of water, add tar to it and stir for a while. The solution should look greasy after mixing with water. This is a mandatory characteristic of the solution, because otherwise, you need to pay attention to the quality of the tar you bought, since it must necessarily dissolve in the liquid making it denser.
Processing before planting
Often, people process potatoes from the Colorado potato beetle after planting. When the potatoes have sprouted a little, but not quite ripe. But it is impossible not to mention another way of processing potatoes with tar.
Treating potatoes with tar before planting is said to be more effective than after. This happens in much the same way as after, but with one small change. Before planting, a solution (tar water) is collected in a 1.5-liter bottle, but it must be poured from the neck, and not through the holes in the lid. And this is done right on the tubers that you are going to plant.
It is not recommended to use a spray bottle as the hole is quickly clogged with greasy particles. After you have planted the tar-treated tubers, having noticed the first sprouts, you can spray the potatoes again, for a more powerful smell that will come not only from the outside, but also from the inside.
Processing after planting
It is recommended to process some time after planting. When the height of the leaves is about 10 centimeters, then you can safely spray the potatoes. It is necessary to spray not only on the upper side of the leaves, but also on the lower one. This is due to the fact that the Colorado potato beetle leaves the larvae on the lower part of the leaf. In order to pass this process as efficiently as possible, it is worth destroying all traces (even larvae) of the beetle.
Processing mainly takes place in the form of watering (spraying). To do this, you can use a 1.5 liter bottle by simply punching holes in the cap. This is perhaps the most convenient and budgetary option. Watering can be done both after the growth of the sprouts, there and before planting.
It is important to know that if you have already noticed a beetle on the potato, then you cannot immediately spray it after that. This is strictly prohibited, as there will be no result. If such an embarrassment happens, then you need to independently, if possible, collect the beetles from the foliage, and only after that process the potatoes.
Conclusion
For the normal development of potatoes, you must not only follow all the rules for planting, watering, fertilizing, collecting, leaving, but also treating the pest. Despite the huge number of different methods, funds, you need to allocate for yourself the one that will be closer to you. In general, the method of treating potatoes with tar is suitable for everyone who wants to prevent the appearance of beetles and other parasites, because it is budgetary, affordable, popular, easily sprayed, prepared.