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Potato bugs


Question
How is the best way for me to get rid of potato bugs without  using inseticides??

Answer
The Potato Bug, or The Colorado potato beetle, it is a plump yellow beetle with black stripes he and is the most economically damaging pest to potatoes in most areas of the United States. If left uncontrolled, it can completely defoliate a potato crop. Although the potato is its favorite food, the beetle may also feed on tomato, eggplant, tobacco, pepper, ground cherry, petunia, and even cabbage crops.

Insecticides (chemical) are often used unsuccessfully because of the beetle's resistance to toxins and ability to rapidly develop resistance to them.

Gardens Alive has Adult lady beetles and their larvae are an excellent, non-chemical way to control aphids, Colorado potato beetles (egg stage) and other insect pests in your garden, they are available at:  http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=5065

Novodor?is probably the best solution, it contains B. thuringiensis ssp.tenebrionis, a form of Bt that is not genetically engineered and can be used by organic producers in most states.  Novodor is available from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply. The targeted insects ingest the bacteria, which then infects and kills them. It will not harm other insects, people, birds, or children.

Parasitic nematodes are another control option. I would check out Planet Natural for their products.

You could also try crop rotation and/or floating row covers, or hand picking.

Pyrethrum which is also broad-spectrum insecticide is derived from dried chrysanthemum flowers. It is most effective at cool temperatures and less effective as temperature increases. It is also harmful to beneficial insects, like bees, and should be used at night.  You could also try Rotonone, similar, but also harmful to beneficial insects, and should be used at night.

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