Once the larvae begin to hatch, a crop can be rapidly decimated. The adult beetles are difficult to get rid of because they have adapted resistance to control methods, both conventional and organic. As a result, your best weapons for dealing with the Colorado potato beetle are vigilance and speed.
6 Ways to Get Rid of Colorado Potato Beetles Organically
There are several methods that can help when plants are already infested. They all require that you pay close attention to what is happening in the garden and act quickly. If you start combating the beetles as soon as you see evidence of them you have a better chance of saving your potato crop. It’s best to spot the pest at the egg or larval stage, as it’s estimated that up to 75 percent of the damage occurs before the larvae mature into adult beetles.
Use Neem Oil
Apply neem oil as needed. This is the organic gardener’s go-to insecticide, and it works wonders. Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree, and it contains several compounds found in commercial pesticides. It works by reducing insect feeding and interfering with the hormone system, hindering their ability to reproduce. While neem oil is considered an organic pesticide, remember that just because a product is considered organic does not mean it is harmless to humans. The term “organic” means that the product is made from naturally occurring ingredients, not that it is non-toxic. Neem oil, which is applied as a spray, is relatively safe. The insect must actually eat the treated plant in order for it to be effective. Some gardeners may experience skin irritations when using neem oil and ingesting it can cause digestive problems.
Hand-Pick Beetles
Chewed and damaged leaves are the first clue you may have a problem. Regularly check the undersides of your potato leaves for eggs and larvae. If you spot an adult beetle among your plants, you will be sure to find larvae as well. Hand-pick beetles, larvae, and eggs and throw them in a bucket of soapy water to kill them. Adult beetles return to burrow under the soil at night around the base of your nightshade plants. Look for them there early in the day and toward the top of the plant later on as the beetles move toward the newest, freshest, and most tender leaves.
Use a Vacuum Cleaner
Use a vacuum to remove beetles, larvae, and eggs. There are special “bug vacs” for garden use, but a regular household handheld vacuum also works well.
Use Deterrent Sprays
Beetles generally have a hard carapace so the best time to treat with contact deterrent sprays will be when they are still in the soft-bodied larval stage. Several of these products are officially categorized as organic products, such as those containing spinosad or azadiractin. Azadiractin is a pesticide derived from fermenting natural soil organisms, but it works only on the larval stage of the beetles and will not affect adult Colorado potato beetles. Spinosad, a more effective deterrent, needs to be reapplied every 10 to 14 days during the larval stage of the beetles.
Use Bt
Bt (Bacillus thuringuensis var. tenebrionis) can be effective if introduced early, while the insect is just beginning the larval stage. You will need to identify the eggs and apply Bt at this time in order for it to be effective. Bt is a soil bacteria that effectively paralyzes the digestive systems of certain insects at the larval stage, thereby starving them to death. Many strains of Bt have been developed so make sure to use the particular strain known to be effective against Colorado potato beetles.
Encourage Natural Predators
Stink bugs and ladybugs eat Colorado potato beetle larvae. They can be introduced artificially if your garden does not already have them. Predator insects alone aren’t enough to control the population but they can be one tool in the arsenal. Planting a bird-friendly garden will also help as birds feed upon adults and larvae. You can attract them to your yard and gardens by providing a water source, like a birdbath, seed feeders, and housing. It’s also a good idea to plant some additional food sources, such as sunflowers, in the vegetable garden.
What Attracts Colorado Potato Beetles?
Colorado potato beetles are native to the Rocky Mountain region but are now found in every state except Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. They will be most prevalent where large groups of nightshade plants are close together. When planning your garden space, separate your potatoes, peppers, or eggplants with other crops this beetle might not find so appetizing.
Colorado Potato Beetle vs. False Potato Beetle
An insect that is often confused with the Colorado potato beetle is Leptinotarsa juncta, commonly known as the false potato beetle. Gardeners in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast U.S. may see this insect rather than the true potato beetle. It takes close examination to tell the difference, but the false potato beetle will show a light brown strip interrupting the alternating white and black stripes on the back. The true potato beetle does not have this brown strip. Further, you will not experience the same serious plant damage, as L. juncta is not a serious pest of potatoes and other nightshades.
How to Prevent Colorado Potato Beetles
Preventing an infestation is easier than treating one that has already occurred. Protect your potato crop from beetles by trying several of these methods together, especially if you’ve had a problem with potato beetles in the past.
Practice crop rotation: Don’t grow potatoes in the same spot year after year and avoid planting them where peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant were grown the previous year. Adult potato beetles overwinter in the soil of the previous year’s potato patch. If you plant in the same spot as last year, you’re giving the beetles convenient access to your plants. They’ll pick a plant, find a mate, lay eggs, and the cycle will continue. Practice companion planting: There are several plants that deter potato beetles. Try planting at least one or two of them alongside or even interplanted with your potatoes. Use straw mulch: Mulching heavily with straw not only helps keep the tubers out of the sunlight but also creates a habitat for predators of the Colorado potato beetle. If you can attract ground beetles, ladybugs, and green lacewings, they’ll do a lot of the hard work for you. Plant resistant or early varieties: Certain varieties of potatoes, such as ‘Russet Burbank,’ have proven to be resistant to potato beetles. Another good practice is to plant early varieties since potato beetle damage only gets worse as the season goes on and all the eggs hatch. Consider planting Caribe, Norland, or Yukon Gold potatoes. These are all great early-season options.
Handpick and destroy adult beetles the minute you see them anywhere in your yard or garden. Eggs are tiny, yellow to orange in color, and are laid in clusters along the undersides of the potato plant’s leaves. The eggs will stand out against the green foliage making them easy to identify. Check your plants early and often and as soon as you spot any damage to leaves, begin checking for eggs and larvae. If you remain vigilant, you stand a good chance of controlling the Colorado potato beetle before it gets a foothold in your potato patch.
