Getting Rid of the Colorado Potato Beetle
The Colorado potato beetle, or potato bug, is dangerous to potato plants in both adult and larvae form. They feast on potato plants. They can wipe out an entire crop in very little time. The irony is that the chemical pesticides used for years to control destructive beetles have created a situation in which the strongest have not only survived, but also developed a resistance against many pesticides. Once you see one, you need to start your plans to get rid of them immediately.
Try and prevent the potato beetle from ever showing up in the first place. One trick that seems to work is to surround your field with a freshly dug trench lined with plastic, creating a barrier. Take soil and lightly spread it over the plastic. For some reason, it's next to impossible for beetles to walk across soil-dusted plastic.
You could also plant companion plants that the potato bug cannot stand. These plants include coriander, horseradish and marigolds. Plant them in between the rows of potato plants. You could also plant flowers and plants that have an abundance of sap and pollen like Echinacea and litaris. These plants attract insects that consider potato bugs a tasty treat.
If you suspect you have an issue, check underneath your plants leaves, where the beetles tend to lay their eggs in bunches. Immediately remove and throw away any infested leaves that you find. Chances are, the beetle is already in your garden. Once you confirm this, it's time to bring out the big guns.
If you're looking for organic methods of control, your best option is Bacillus thuringiensis, which has a great reputation for killing this pest and its larvae. You must use it sparingly since it can also kill off good beetles. There are no restrictions on how often you can use it.
If you must use chemicals, Sevin dust is the pesticide used most often. It's not organic, but it's considered less toxic than other pesticides. It's applied with a tank and a sprayer, and it can only be applied once every seven days.
