We had some heavy rains in June this year, which delayed haymaking and some planting. There is likely to be a drought ahead, which will keep us busy in the garden and on the farm.
Integrated pest management is critical for fruit and vegetable production. Various strategies are used to sustainably control pests and diseases, including the development of disease-resistant varieties, hot water seed treatment, crop rotation, water management, and trap crops.
Other methods include natural and biological controls, sanitary measures, mechanical and cultural controls, action thresholds, selective materials and resistance management. As a last resort, we use chemical pesticides selectively and carefully against difficult-to-control pests.
The Colorado potato beetle has developed resistance to most registered insecticides, making it one of the most difficult pests to control. Both larvae and adults feed on plant leaves, which can quickly lead to widespread defoliation if left unchecked. In severe infestations, beetles may also feed on above-ground fruit.
The traditional method of controlling the Colorado potato beetle is to apply neonicotinoid insecticides (including imidacloprid) to crops. However, the effectiveness of these insecticides is declining in some areas of the United States due to the development of resistance.
Colorado potato beetles can be effectively controlled in small plantings by regularly removing them by hand. Larvae and adults can be separated and placed in a container with water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. The liquid reduces the surface tension of the water, causing the insects to drown rather than flee.
Gardeners are looking for a safe, effective solution that does not leave toxic chemical residues. While researching potato beetle control, I found information on several products containing spinosad, including Bonide’s Colorado Potato Beetle Insecticide. Other products containing spinosad include Entrust, Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew, Conserve, Monterey Garden Insect Spray, and many others.
Products containing spinosad are a natural alternative for pest control in gardens and for commercial vegetable and fruit growers. It is effective against a wide range of chewing pests such as thrips, beetles and caterpillars, and also protects many beneficial insects.
It also degrades rapidly in the environment when exposed to sunlight and soil microorganisms, making it very useful for growers facing insect resistance issues.
Spinosad is both a nerve agent and a stomach poison, so it kills both pests that come into contact with it and those that eat its leaves. Spinosad has a unique mechanism of action that helps prevent cross-resistance with organophosphates and carbamates, which are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
Do not overuse insecticides. It is recommended to use only three times in 30 days. To combat the Colorado potato beetle, it is best to spray at midday, if possible on a sunny day.
Spinozad is effective against chewing insects and must be ingested by the insect. It is therefore less effective against piercing-sucking and non-target predatory insects. Spinozad acts relatively quickly. Pests die within one to two days of the active substance entering the body.
One of the remarkable features of insecticides is their effectiveness in killing pests that are resistant to commercial pesticides or that are extremely difficult to kill, including the dreaded Colorado potato beetle, fall armyworm, cabbage moth, and corn borer.
Spinosad can be used as an adjunct to pest control on important crops such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, oilseed rape and leafy greens. Growers can combine spinosad with other natural insecticides such as Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) to control a wide range of key pests.
This will help more beneficial insects survive and ultimately reduce the amount of pesticides used. In sweet corn, spinosad is effective against both corn borers and armyworms. It can also control moderate corn borer populations without causing harm to the environment.
Post time: Jul-21-2025