The Colorado potato beetle, which appeared on the territory of the USSR in the postwar years, firmly established itself on agricultural lands, adapted to our climatic conditions. Being a leaf beetle, it, together with the wireworm (the larva of the nutcracker beetle) destroys entire plantings of young potato shoots. The mechanical collection of these pests is laborious and inefficient. Invaluable help in their destruction is provided by the domestic preparation Tabu for processing potatoes. Reviews on the result of his action are the most positive.
Chemical Pest Control
To preserve the potato crop, for a long time only sprinkling of seedlings with chemicals was used, which, acting on insects, destroyed them. On small plots of land, summer residents could afford the use of low-toxic folk remedies. The process remained time-consuming, requiring multiple spraying during the growing season.
The appearance on the market of treating drugs has greatly simplified the implementation of this work. Tubers processed before planting become a source of poison for gluttonous insects, reducing the number of sprays needed for the plant.
For a while, only imported substances of such action were presented on the market. Recently appeared domestic drug from the Colorado potato beetle “Tabu” with the same effectiveness is much cheaper.
Description of the drug
Produced by the Russian company August, which occupies a leading position in the country in the production of pesticides, the Tabu etch treatment is effective in destroying the Colorado potato beetle and wireworm.
Created on the basis of the active ingredient imidacloprid (the chemical class of neonicotinoids), it provides complete plant protection until several young leaves appear, that is, during the period of the greatest vulnerability of potatoes.
The concentration of the main active substance of the manufactured product - 500 g / l - classifies it as the 3rd hazard class. Diluted to a working solution, it is non-toxic to mammals, bees and birds, which does not preclude compliance with safety rules when working with Tabu. The composition of the solution for treating tubers can be supplemented with fungicidal substances in order to prevent plant diseases.
Mechanism of action
Processing potatoes before planting from the Colorado potato beetle forms a kind of chemical protection of its surface. Getting into sprouts and young shoots, the active substance rises with them to the surface, leaving the tubers free from their effects. Imidacloprid begins its work upon contact with an insect or when it enters the digestive system, damaging the nervous system.
The duration of the plant protection period is up to forty-five days under any weather conditions. The presence of the drug in the leaves of potatoes, and not on their surface, guarantees the work of the substance during the rainy season.
After contact or ingestion of the active substance by the insect, the pest quickly loses its ability to move and the ability to eat due to the chemical effect on the organs of the nervous system that the Tabu drug has for treating potatoes. Customer reviews claim that the death of Colorado beetles occurs within 24 hours.
Release Forms
The preparative form of the substance is a water-suspension concentrate in the form of which the “Tabu” preparation is produced. The use of its working solutions of a significantly lower concentration provides plant protection guaranteed by efficiency and time.
Packages of the drug offered by the August company:
- canister - 5 liters;
- bottle - 10 milliliters.
Tuber pickling before planting
The preparation “Taboo” for processing potatoes (the instruction manual is attached to the package) is used for dressing tubers by spraying.
Classic hand or pump sprayers are used, depending on the scale of work.
Preparation of the working solution is not difficult. Dissolving well in water, the concentrate forms a stable suspension, which does not precipitate. The time for using the working solution is 24 hours.
The consumption rate of the drug: 10 ml of concentrate / 1.25 liters of water.
The rate of consumption of the working solution: 1.25 l / 125 kg of potatoes.
For convenience, seed potatoes are laid out in a row on a plastic film. When spraying tubers, their surface is painted pink, which allows for thorough processing of all seed material, turning the potatoes over. It is ready for planting after drying.
Furrow or hole processing during planting
The method of pickling soil before planting is an innovative solution that allows you to bring to life the drug "Taboo" for processing potatoes. Reviews about this method are only positive, since it significantly reduces the consumption of the drug without reducing its effectiveness.
In this case, other flow rates are used to prepare the working solution.
The consumption rate of the drug: 4 ml of concentrate / 10 l of water.
The rate of flow of the working solution: 10 l / 100 m 2 the area of the site.
Remedies
Processing potatoes before planting from the Colorado potato beetle and wireworm with a working solution of the concentration specified in the instructions is non-toxic. But, when dealing with the initial drug, when preparing the working fluid and its spraying, it is necessary to observe the safety rules:
- It is forbidden to work with the drug without a protective suit, glasses, and a respirator.
- Spraying the working solution is carried out outdoors or in a non-residential premises, in the absence of children and animals.
- Spraying is necessary far from the place of cooking (barbecue, summer kitchen), playgrounds, natural and artificial ponds.
- Keep the drug away from food, medicine, animal feed, in a dry place, hiding from children.
Help with poisoning
In this case, the person must be removed from the spray zone of the drug, carefully remove protective equipment and work clothing from him, without bringing it into the living quarters.
- If the drug gets inside, rinse your mouth and rinse your stomach. To do this, taking activated charcoal and drinking water, artificially induce vomiting, freeing the stomach. Repeat the intake of activated charcoal with a moderate amount of water and drink a saline laxative to cleanse the intestines.
- If the product gets on the skin, wash the contaminated area with running clean water. If it is not possible to carefully remove dirt with a cotton swab. After that use a soap solution.
- If the drug gets into the eyes, rinse with running water (at least from a teapot).
If you feel unwell, you should contact the clinic. There are no special antidotes and treatment methods. Doctor's appointments are symptomatic.
The drug "Taboo" for processing potatoes. Reviews
The company "August", being the largest domestic manufacturer of chemicals for the protection of cultivated plants, has a modern production base, consisting of two enterprises, and a division engaged in scientific research. Drugs that work effectively in all climatic zones are in demand in the domestic and international markets.
Own scientific developments, production of drugs, monitoring and analysis of the safety and effectiveness of their work for more than 25 years inspire confidence in consumers.
The Tabu drug, produced in different packages, is used both in large agricultural enterprises in working contact with the company and on individual land plots.
Rural residents and summer residents who grow their own potatoes, ask many different questions to the producer company and receive comprehensive answers and specific advice.
On forums on the Internet in anticipation of the start of planting, there is an active discussion of the advantages and disadvantages that the Tabu drug has. The price is attractive. According to the manufacturer, the drug in stores costs from 106 rubles. This is enough to process 125 kg of potatoes or 100 m 2 of garden area.
The predominance of positive, emotional feedback is obvious. People are happy to free themselves from the unpleasant labor of collecting and destroying Colorado beetles. True, after a month and a half, when the protective functions of the preparation are over, it is necessary to carry out several sprayings before harvesting, but this is incomparably less than the usual pest control. A wireworm disappears for the entire period of ripening of the crop.