by John Shelton
Potatoes taste good. They are good baked, broiled, grilled, hashed, home fried, deep fried, french friend, and stuffed. I really like some potato. They taste even better when you grow them yourself…organically, in your backyard or on your farm. Unfortunately, humans are not the only ones who love potatoes. There is a pestilence lurking out there that will decimate your potato crop and harsh on your garden.

The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, is native to North America. Despite it name, the beetle will also eat your eggplants and tomatoes. You know you have them when you see them – they are yellow convex beetles about a half an inch long and are covered with black stripes and an orange head. Their eggs are bright yellow and are laid on the underside of the leaves. The grubs (grubs look nasty) are plump and red with black spots and a black head. The grown ups and the larvae chew foliage leaving your plants looking like skeletons of plants. The defoliation and skeleton-like appearance of your plants is the other way to know you have been attacked by the little buggers.

There are many methods for controlling the potato beetles. Hand pick the early spring arrivals and squash them like the bugs they are (putting them in a pail of soapy water, while less visceral, is equally effective) and put down a thick layer of organic mulch. The beetles can’t climb out through the thick stuff.

Planting an early crop of black nightshade ten to fifteen feet away from your vegetable crop, will give you early warning of the coming infestation. If the beetles come, wait for your trap crop to become heavily infested and then pull and destroy the crop along with the beetles. If the beetles get by your defenses, first manually pluck as many as you can so they can’t lay anymore eggs. You are trying to interrupt the generations. Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) are bacteria that come in powder form and kills leaf eating caterpillars; however there is a new form that does a fine job controlling the potato beetle in its larval stage.

If you sprinkle your plants with bran or cornmeal, the beetles will eat it, the meal will expand in the beetle, and the beetle will explode. Who wouldn’t want to see that? Mechanical and nontoxic control of beetles is cool.

Neem is effective at controlling the beetles. Mix your neem product according to the directions and apply it to the affected plants at weekly intervals until the beetles are under control. Pyrethrum is also effective at controlling the potato beetles. In general two applications, three days apart will get the little guys under control.

If you want to get out in front of the potato beetles and try to prevent them in the first place, you have a couple of options that I will discuss here. You can get resistant potato varieties. The Sequoia and Katahdin are resistant to potato beetles. You can coat your plants with Diatomaceous Earth. Dust your entire plant with the Diatomaceous Earth paying particular attention to the undersides of the leaves. The best time to apply the Diatomaceous Earth is in the evening when the beneficial bugs are less prevalent. Nylon netting or agricultural fleece may be used to completely cover the plants and prevent infestation.

The foregoing is a general discussion of how to control the Colorado Potato Beetle. Remember, don’t be afraid of the pests. You can control them without petroleum products and without compromising your health. Grow your own organic vegetables and save money!

John C. Shelton is a recovering attorney, husband, and father of two. After 15 years in the wilderness (lawyers, on whole are a cranky lot) he is listening to his muse. I love to garden and improve my environment. As an added benefit, I can save money at the same time. We all want to live better for less. I can help you live better and save money.

Organic gardening articles, tips, and supplies.

Article Source: Article Junction Network

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