Fitoverm for Colorado potato beetle control: instructions for use (photo)

Fitoverm is a leading insecticide among a wide range of other insecticides. Its active ingredient targets the main gardening pest, the Colorado potato beetle. This insect, a merciless eater of potatoes, dies within days when sprayed with Fitoverm. Furthermore, the mixture does not harm the crop if all instructions for use are followed.

The Colorado potato beetle is a pesky insect that ruins all the gardener's hard work. The pest ruins potato crops, and few insecticides can kill it. Fitoverm has been on the market for over twenty years. During this time, it has proven itself to be one of the most effective pesticides against the Colorado potato beetle and other insect pests.

Description of the drug Fitoverma

Fitoverm is a biological product designed to combat garden pests. Hence the name "phyto." Aversectin C, the active ingredient in the "poison," enters the body of the Colorado potato beetle and other insects through their food. The paralyzed pest continues to live for some time, but it no longer poses a threat to crops because it stops feeding.

The product is most often used to combat the Colorado potato beetle. However, in addition to these pests, Fitoverm also kills other insects that are equally dangerous to crops:

• aphid;
• leaf rollers;
• sawflies;
• herbivorous mites.

Due to high demand, the product began to be produced in larger quantities, making it even more convenient for gardeners and vegetable growers. Larger quantities of the biological poison make life easier for farmers with large fields of crops.

How Fitoverm works

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which binds to GABA receptors, inhibits the insect's nerve impulses. Avermectins are capable of releasing large quantities of GABA. The acid binds to the receptors and begins to strongly inhibit the nervous system. The insects almost immediately stop moving and feeding. They die shortly after.

As mentioned above, Fitoverm is a biological product. The active ingredient in this "poison," avermectin, is produced by the bacteria Streptomyces avermitilis. Scientists have learned to synthesize it, and now use both synthetically produced avermectin and bacterially produced avermectin.

Instructions for use

Fitoverm is produced in a concentrated form. Immediately before use, the substance must be diluted with water. This "poison" for garden and vegetable garden pests is diluted several times. The volume of water used depends on the amount of concentrated substance. Detailed instructions for using Fitoverm are usually included on the product packaging.

Preparing a Fitoverm solution to kill Colorado potato beetles is a three-step process. The required amount of solution is diluted with running water at a ratio of 1:1000. Pour the diluted mixture into a bucket. Add a liter of water to the solution and mix thoroughly. Then, pour the solution back into the container from which you will spray.

The average application rate of the toxic solution is five liters per 0.01 hectare. A single treatment is unlikely to be sufficient to completely eradicate the Colorado potato beetle. The spraying procedure should be repeated after twenty days.

It is extremely important to follow several conditions when preparing the solution, as well as when spraying the area:

• the temperature of the water in which the preparation is diluted should not be lower than 15 degrees, but not higher than 30;
• The drug is extremely toxic, despite its biological composition, and cannot be used near bodies of water, as its active substance can harm fish;
• During treatment, children should not be in the sprayed area;
• The product is toxic to bees, so avoid getting the "poison" on flowers. However, after three hours, all toxicity dissipates;
• It is best to treat plants in dry and windless weather, since even the slightest rain and wind can reduce the effect of the active substance Fitoverm;
• The product also loses its toxic properties at temperatures below 17 degrees Celsius. It's best to treat the area at 25 degrees Celsius. These are optimal weather conditions for killing the Colorado potato beetle using this method.

Applying the solution to plants

The prepared solution is poured into any device that will be convenient for spraying the area. A sprayer, preferably a fine-mist one, is required in any case. The prepared solution of "poison" for the Colorado potato beetle is evenly applied to the plant leaves. Within a few days, the beetles die from paralysis.

As for rodents, they die later—approximately five days after treatment. However, just a few hours after spraying the plants with Fitoverm, the active ingredient begins to act upon the pest's body. The insect stops gnawing on the crops, as it is paralyzed.

Advantages of Fitoverm

Few insecticides offer as many benefits as Fitoverm. It has earned popular respect not only for its biological composition, which mitigates its toxicity to others. Fitoverm is renowned for its high effectiveness in controlling Colorado potato beetles and other garden pests. Moreover, the product does not harm the plant itself. Here are some of Fitoverm's advantages:

• While penetrating the pest's body, Fitoverm does not affect the plant's membranes. In short, it does not penetrate the plant or accumulate within it, and therefore does not enter the human body through the fruit;
• the preparation can be used at any stage of the plant: from flowering to fruiting, without worrying about the quality of the harvest;
• Fitoverm has a very mild odor compared to similar insecticides. The odor dissipates after a few hours;
• In hot weather, Fitoverm's properties are even stronger, which isn't the case with similar pest control products. The "poison's" high effectiveness as the temperature increases is very convenient, as there's no need to adjust to the weather or wait for a cool day to treat the garden.

Toxicity

Like any other insecticide, Fitoverm is assigned a hazard class. These vary depending on the degree of toxicity. Fitoverm is assigned Class 3. The product does have a negative impact on the environment, but it is moderate.

Once the solution has been completely sprayed, the container must be thoroughly washed and not used for any other purposes, especially for food!

Reviews of Fitoverm's effectiveness

The Colorado potato beetle is a direct threat to a healthy potato harvest. Therefore, experienced gardeners resort to Fitoverm to control this potato pest and always achieve a good harvest. There are numerous online reviews confirming the effectiveness of this insecticide.

Nikolay, 61 years old, Moscow region:

"I don't know any other way to get rid of the Colorado potato beetle. I've been using Fitoverm for years. I've never had any problems diluting the mixture: it's easy and simple, with detailed instructions on the package. My potatoes always grow well, and the beetle never gets to them. Thanks to the manufacturers for this effective pest control! It's really frustrating when you put all your effort into growing a crop, only to have some tiny insect devour it all!"

Maria, 43 years old, Saratov:

"Besides potatoes, I spray my currants and cabbage with Fitoverm. I dilute it differently for currants than for potatoes—at a ratio of 2:1000. A liter of solution is enough for one bush. And no leaf rollers are a threat to us anymore! They used to eat the leaves terribly! As for cabbage, I dilute the poison at a ratio of 4:1000 and spray it. The consumption is small—about four liters per 0.01 hectare. Cabbage butterflies and cutworms are now rare guests on my cabbage!"

Valeria, 58 years old, Vladivostok:

"Fitoverm saved my potatoes! For two years, I couldn't get rid of the Colorado potato beetle! I tried various products. I came across reviews online about Fitoverm's effectiveness and decided to give it a try. I diluted the solution according to the instructions and sprayed it. I specifically waited for a hot day to ensure the best results. The beetle is gone. Now I recommend this product to all my friends and also use it to spray my apple trees. I make a 2:1000 solution. The insecticide kills both the cutworm and the apple stem borer!"

https://youtu.be/QSzqwG2bSV8

Vladimir, 47 years old, Starye Luki:

"After a poisonous insecticide called Fitoverm became my trusted companion in the fight against Colorado potato beetles, I began to consider it a universal insecticide. Imagine my surprise when I realized this product can combat any pest, including rodents. For melons, I dilute 4 ml of the product in one liter of water. The aphids are destroyed forever!"

After the procedure, I spray the crop again fifteen days later. Then, there's absolutely no threat to my work, and my family and I can enjoy vitamins all winter long. Apple trees, peaches, pears—all the fruit is reliably protected. Previously, if an apple ended up on the ground, it was certain a worm had taken up residence. And even the fruit, already ravaged by parasites, would hang on the branches. Now, I'm overjoyed with my harvest, and my only regret is that I never heard of Fitoverm sooner!