Bison, a Colorado potato beetle repellent: instructions for use and reviews

Every gardener knows that fighting the Colorado potato beetle for a good potato harvest is painstaking work. Destroying plant leaves and stems in record time, the Colorado potato beetle causes losses in the gardens of many Russians. Zubr is a product that mercilessly kills the beetles while maintaining its effectiveness on foliage for a record-breaking period.

Growing potatoes is hard work, especially when growing tubers on large plots. In addition to hilling and weeding, the plant requires protection from the Colorado potato beetle. This insect mercilessly destroys all the tops of the plants in a short period of time. Zubr, a product designed to kill the Colorado potato beetle, will help save the harvest. The mixture can also be used to protect other crops from various pests.

Characteristics of the drug Zubr

Zubr is a product whose active ingredient is targeted at the Colorado potato beetle, as well as certain sucking insects. After plants are treated, the mixture remains on the stems and leaves for a long time. The insects feeding on the poisoned plants die from the "poison" within a few hours.

A few days after spraying the garden with Zubr, even the larvae die. Young shoots remain reliably protected for another month after treatment, as the mixture penetrates the plant's leaves and stems. This ensures the destruction of new insects.

A clear advantage of this insecticide is its resistance to heat and rain. In addition to its weather resistance, Zubr consumption is minimal. One ml of the mixture is enough to treat several acres of land.

Chemical composition of the drug Zubr

Zubr owes its devastating effect on the Colorado potato beetle to its active ingredient, imidacloprid. This systemic insecticide belongs to the neonicotinoid group. Products in this group are considered the most effective against the Colorado potato beetle, completely destroying this harmful insect.

Zubr is available in small quantities. The product is concentrated and must be diluted with water before use. Zubr insecticide is available in 1 ml and 5 ml ampoules. This amount is sufficient for small areas of beetle-infested soil.

How Zubr works against the Colorado potato beetle

Gardeners use bison not only to treat potato leaves but also to spray the plant's stems. After consuming a treated leaf, the beetle dies. Once in the insect's intestines, the "poison" destroys the pest's body from the inside. Within two days, the parasites are completely eliminated from the treated area.

Instructions for use of the insecticide Zubr against the Colorado potato beetle

When spraying plants with Zubr, wear protective clothing, gloves, and a respirator mask. The concentrate is dangerous not only to insects, but can also harm humans.

Spray your garden a month before harvesting. After 30 days, the plant will be safe for internal use.

Preparation of the solution

To prepare the mixture, use one ampoule of the substance (1 ml) per liter of water. The solution should be thoroughly mixed and then added to another nine liters of water.

The liquid is prepared immediately before use. If the mixture is left diluted for too long, its active ingredient will evaporate, reducing the poison's effectiveness.

Dilution of a 5 ml ampoule of the Zubr preparation against the Colorado potato beetle is carried out as follows:

• 5 ml of the mixture is diluted in a liter of water;
• 200 ml of mixed concentrate is diluted in 10 liters of water.

Ten liters of poison is enough to treat one to two hundred square meters of crop. The potency of properly prepared Zubr "poison" against the Colorado potato beetle is 98%, as insects do not develop resistance to the product.

Security measures

While insecticides are deadly to insects, they are not very toxic to humans. However, protection is still necessary. Regular gloves, a raincoat, and a mask can serve as a barrier against toxic substances.

After spraying, to avoid poisoning, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and wash your face. Experts recommend rinsing your nose and mouth if you sprayed the crop without a protective mask.

Storage of the drug Zubr

Any insecticide should be stored out of the reach of children, in a well-ventilated area. The room temperature should not exceed 25 degrees Celsius.

Reviews of the drug against the Colorado potato beetle Zubr

Due to its many advantages over similar products, Zubr is quite popular among gardeners and vegetable growers. It is rarely used on an industrial scale, as the manufacturer packages it in small doses and targets small areas. There are numerous positive consumer reviews online:

Gennady, 46 years old, Moscow region:

"I've been using Zubr against the Colorado potato beetle for five years now. I'm completely satisfied with it. The dosage is very convenient: I buy 5 ml, and that's enough for one application. I spray my garden before the Colorado potato beetle attacks my potatoes. Preventative spraying works well; the beetles don't appear throughout the entire season."

Antonina, 38 years old, Rostov-on-Don:

"Zubr helped me get rid of not only the Colorado potato beetle but also aphids. Aphids were constantly eating my cabbage, no matter what I tried. Some insecticides wore off with the first rain, others with the onset of scorching heat. After treating the plants with Zubr, the substance itself doesn't remain on the surface of the plant but penetrates it. Therefore, it's not affected by water or heat. This makes me happy. The aphids are completely gone. Now I can delight all my friends and acquaintances with crispy cabbage. As for the potatoes, I can say that the beetles don't even have time to get close to the plant. Zubr is a lifesaver. The only thing is, I wish the solution could be stored longer, since I use it twice a season. The second time, I have to buy a new ampoule. Fortunately, the price is affordable."

Vera, 44 years old, Voronezh:

"I haven't found an alternative to Zubr yet. It's a good product, but it's too toxic for me. The skin on my hands starts peeling after spraying, even through gloves. It's possible it's an allergic reaction, but I've used a similar insecticide before and never had this reaction. Unfortunately, it also didn't have the desired effect—it didn't get rid of the Colorado potato beetle. I have no particular complaints about Zubr's effectiveness. The potatoes are growing beautifully, and there are no beetles. While I'm looking for a similar product, my husband uses Zubr in his garden. He hasn't had any reaction to it."

Vladimir, 64 years old, Samara:

"Zubr saved my potatoes from the Colorado potato beetle four years ago. My garden plot is small, so 1 ml of the product is enough for one application. It's easy to dilute, and I haven't noticed any side effects. I have a small apiary at the dacha, but Zubr has no effect on the bees."