Everyone knows such an insect as the May bug. It appears in spring along with heat. The insect begins to show particular activity in May. Thanks to this, it got its name. In the afternoon it is very difficult to find such a bug. But in the evening and at night - easily. May bugs are very dangerous for the future harvest. Therefore, it is worth fighting with them. So how to get rid of pests?
Why are they so dangerous?
Females after mating penetrate the soil, where they lay their eggs. You can distinguish them in appearance. They are oval and white. The laying depth is about 20 cm. In this case, the female in one place can lay 5 to 20 eggs. After that, she dies.
After 6 weeks, insect larvae appear. They are oblong and twisted into a small skein. In search of food, each larva can travel a length of 100 m. They move only horizontally in the upper layers of the soil. In winter, the larvae of the May beetle, the photo of which is presented below, deepen into the ground by 30-100 cm.
As for food, the insects in this matter are unpretentious. Beetle larvae can eat almost everything. But most often they can be found in those places where manure was introduced into the soil. They feed mainly on plant roots and humus. Most often, trees, corn, strawberries and strawberries suffer from the activity of larvae.
However, the most insatiable are adults. The length of their body can reach 6.5 cm. It is they that cause severe damage to plants, as they eat not only leaves, but also roots.
Maybug Larva: Description
Externally, the larvae of these insects are similar to white caterpillars with light yellowness. The abdomen is different. It is much darker than the back of the sides. This is due to the fact that in this part the soft tissues of the larva are very thin, and the contents of the intestine are visible through them.
The larva of the May beetle can reach 6 cm in length. They have no eyes, but their jaws are well developed. Distinctive features: a dark head, 3 pairs of short legs, thin red-colored villi located on the abdomen.
Where can I find them?
May beetle larvae live in the soil. The female insect lays eggs only in those places where the "kids" can easily get their own food. Therefore, larvae can be found in a compost pit or in a dunghill.
In addition to soil, they can live in fallen leaves. Therefore, gardeners recommend regularly clean them. In the state of the larva, such insects can last up to 5 years, eating the roots of the plant and causing damage to the crop.
Consider the basic methods of struggle
The fight against the larvae of the May beetle is a complex process, but doable. If desired, the garden and the garden can completely get rid of these insects. The most important thing is to adhere to certain rules and regularly carry out preventive measures. In general, for the fight you can use:
- folk remedies;
- special traps;
- biological methods;
- chemical compounds;
- pest drugs, etc.
Each of the methods has its own characteristics. Let's look at them in more detail.
White clover and nitrogen
Many experienced gardeners recommend sowing circles around tree trunks with white clover. What for? Bacteria accumulate on the roots of this plant, which absorb nitrogen and synthesize it into protein. This substance, accumulated in the soil, makes it toxic to the larvae of the May beetle.
Planting white clover allows not only to scare away insects, but also improve the condition of the soil, which affects the taste of the fruit. In addition, nitrogen slows down weed growth.
Own production traps
So, how to get rid of the Maybug larvae? The easiest way to prevent their penetration into the soil. And for this, capture of adults is carried out. After all, one female is able to lay up to 70 eggs. The use of traps is considered the most effective pest control method.
To protect the garden, such devices can be made independently. There are several varieties of such traps. Each of them has its own characteristics. To control pests, you can use light and glue traps. Consider each of the types in more detail.
Light traps
To get rid of bugs in the garden, you can use light traps. To make it, take a shallow container and grease its walls with something sticky. A solidol is ideal. At the bottom, place a small but bright source of light. Put such a trap in the garden at night. In the dark, light will attract insects. And if there are none, then there will be no larvae of the May beetle either.
It is worth noting that such a trap allows you to get rid of scoop butterflies. As a result, the harvest of beets, cabbage and other plants will be saved. To achieve a positive result, set a trap every evening for a week. During this period, all insects will fall into the container.
Glue trap
Such a device can be made independently practically from improvised means. To do this, purchase at the hardware store any adhesive composition for catching flies. Take a newspaper and cut it into not too wide strips. Grease each workpiece with the purchased compound. Hang such strips in those places where the most insects. Pay special attention to beds with strawberries and strawberries.
Traps are recommended to be changed daily, since the composition on their surface tends to dry.
Biological methods of struggle
If the fight against adult insects does not give a result, then you can resort to biological methods. So, how to deal with the Maybug larva with a little effort? In nature, many amazing and useful representatives of birds have been created. And, by the way, some of them with great pleasure regale themselves on the larvae of May beetles. To attract birds, build some cozy birdhouses. A family of starlings will cope with the "enemy".
If there is no desire to attract birds, then get a hedgehog. Larvae of May beetles are also included in the diet of these small animals. A few hedgehogs will be enough for a large plot. In addition, they also eat snakes.
Chemicals
If biological methods are not suitable for you, you will have to use chemical agents. However, getting involved in insecticides is not recommended. Their excessive use may adversely affect the quality and size of the crop. If the situation is very difficult, then you can purchase:
- "Bazudin."
- "Aktara."
- "Anti-Khrushch".
- "Initiative", etc.
The listed chemicals should be used in accordance with the instructions for use. In this case, do not forget about the protective equipment: gloves, goggles and a respirator.
Modern drugs
Very popular are modern developments in the field of agriculture. Indeed, many of them do not harm the human body and are harmless to plants.
One of the most popular anti-Maybug larvae remedies is Nemabact. It is a bioinsecticide. It perfectly fights insects in the larval stage. The main component of the drug is a nematode. This is a microscopic worm. It easily penetrates the soil, feasts on pests. He does this in a not quite standard way. Nematodes penetrate the larva, feed on it and leave offspring. A few days later, the parasite dies. After another three days, the corpse of the larva leaves the offspring of the worm in search of a new victim.
This tool allows you to protect the crop from many pests. Moreover, it is absolutely safe for humans and pets.
Are there preventative methods
Any problem is easier to prevent than to fix the consequences later. This also applies to pest control. To avoid the appearance of such uninvited guests, you should adhere to certain rules:
- The digging depth of the soil should not be less than 40 cm.
- If larvae are found in the soil, be sure to collect them.
- Get the hens and in the spring let them out into the garden for a walk. They also feed on Maybug larvae. As a last resort, hang birdhouses for starlings.
- Be sure to dig the soil in early autumn, and then treat it with a weak chlorine solution.
- In the spring, treat the soil near the roots of strawberry and strawberry bushes with a solution of ammonia. When preparing the drug, observe the proportions. 10 ml of water requires 20 ml of ammonia.
- Mulching the soil helps a lot. To do this, you can use shredded punishment and wood or chips. Such materials do not allow insects to penetrate into the ground.
- You can make grooves between the plants by filling them with Karbofos solution (0.75).
Compliance with preventive measures will save the crop and prevent the propagation of pests in the infield. The main thing is to follow the instructions.