If the wireworm has settled in potatoes, you need to know how to get rid of parasites in the fall, otherwise, the larvae will quickly destroy the entire harvested crop. Harm from the wireworm is much more dangerous than from Colorado potato beetle. After all, the tubers are collected and sent for storage, and here such a misfortune. Plus, to notice that the wireworm larvae eat the potatoes is not so easy, you need to cut the tuber and look inside. And who knows how much time already by this moment will pass from the infection stage.
As a rule, gardeners begin the fight against wireworm in the fall. Before moving on to specific chemical and folk, but effective methods of control, take a closer look at the larvae and the beetle.
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General information about the parasite
An adult individual, when a wireworm already becomes a bug, is completely safe for potato tubers, because the leaves and pods of plants are included in the diet of an adult beetle. But the larvae, which in appearance resemble a yellow wire, are extremely dangerous.
Long and brisk larvae move in different directions and often devour not only potatoes, but also beets and onions, peas, carrots and even lentils. These larvae in the insect world are long-livers and their full cycle to an adult is often four years. That is, only in the fifth year the larva will become a bug and fly to the surface, and all previous years will actively eat root crops.
About the basic methods of struggle
As in the cases of combating other garden parasites against wireworms, two options can also be used. These are folk methods, as well as chemicals. Among the folk methods, which will be described in detail in the final part of this material, traps stand out. You will need a piece of potato or another tuber, which wireworms like to feast on, put on a shelf, and then dig into the ground for several days.
The bait is valid only until the start of the harvest and, modestly speaking, it is not the most effective from severe infection.
Among the common folk ways you can find glass jars. Dig them into the ground so that the open neck remains outside. Inside, put beets or potatoes, leave for several days. Periodically change the bank, and destroy the unsuccessful mask by hand. As an effective folk remedy, straw has also proven itself. Larvae are very fond of hiding in straw, especially when it gets cold. Therefore, you need to leave the heaps of straw scattered around the site until frost, and then collect it and burn it.
Another interesting folk way to deal with wireworm on potatoes in the fall is the use of legumes. In particular, to plant legumes before planting and after harvesting on the land where the potatoes were. Wireworms do not like such plants and will leave your site themselves.
About chemical methods
When digging the soil, it is recommended to treat the soil with potassium chloride. This is a powerful tool, but the wireworm will definitely disappear from the site for several years. Potassium permanganate will also help: with a weak solution for preventive purposes, even before planting the root crop, water every hole.
As an option of chemical control, the site can be covered with lime, but this must be done before the onset of frost and snow. In spring, when the snow melts, the lime will be in the soil and drive out the larvae.
What to take care of in advance, the secrets of agricultural technology:
- In the fall, it is imperative to dig up the ground, this will destroy both larvae and beetles.
- Be sure to lime the earth.
- Time to clean the site of weeds.
- To apply mineral fertilizers to the ground regularly.
Important! Many gardeners say that prevention is the most effective way to combat wireworms. If all measures are taken correctly and on time, then you will be able to maintain your crop.
By the way, toads are the natural enemies of wireworm larvae. So, if they settled on your site, then you should not poison them. Let yourself be pampered with a great meal. Read about how and when to fertilize potatoes.
Wireworm in potatoes, folk recipes, how to get rid of parasites in the fall and spring:
- You will need to peel the potatoes and put it on a stick. Then dig a stick into the ground five centimeters in depth.
- Dig up the potato in a couple of days along with the larvae that will be inside. Destroy this root crop by pouring boiling water or burning.
- When planting potatoes in wells for prevention, you can pour ten grams of crushed eggshell. Moreover, slightly moisten the shell with sunflower oil. When the wireworm tries the shell, it will die.
- By the way, gardeners emphasize that this tool is universal and also helps to get rid of such a common root crop pest as a bear.
- Two weeks before planting potatoes, you need to sow corn grains. Plant 15 grains that are swollen per square meter of land. When the corn hatch, then dig it out with the earth and destroy it.
- Two tablespoons of ammonium sulfate per square meter of land can be added to the soil. This fertilizer, in addition to killing the larvae, also additionally fertilizes the soil with nitrogen.
- Sprinkle a thin layer of granular superphosphate on oilcloth. Then moisten with water with acetone or any pesticide. After that, dry in the shade and scatter over the area. Well, if after such processing it turns out to dig the earth. Plus, already when planting potatoes in each well, throw a little superphosphate, dried and processed in the described way.
- You can dig the soil, and then add lime to it. It is also necessary to get rid of wheatgrass and thistle weeds, because larvae like to be found in them. When planting potatoes or onions and beets, put a handful of onion husks in each hole.
- As an option, plant between the rows of root crops marigolds that scare away the larvae of this bug by their smell.
A predatory nematode, which is a microscopic worm, will help get rid of larvae. You can buy soil "Protection", in which these nematodes are contained. Add a pinch of soil to each well. After the first such treatment, the nematode will destroy 60 to 100% of the larvae. For humans and the environment, this soil option and this worm are completely safe.
These are the proven ways to get rid of wireworms in potatoes in the fall. If the selected method did not help, then be sure to try a couple more of the three options listed. But, in order not to struggle with parasites, be sure to remember preventive measures.
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