Description and instructions for use of the drug "Zhukoed" against the Colorado potato beetle

History has proven the resilience of the Colorado potato beetle—in a short time, it has conquered almost the entire planet. Heat, drought, frost, and flooding—the beetle survives and reproduces successfully, posing ever-new challenges for humanity: creating an effective product with maximum effectiveness against the pest but minimal harm to humans.

One of the latest chemical means of controlling beetles is the drug "Zhukoed".

Description and characteristics of the drug "Zhukoed"

Colorado potato beetles reproduce very quickly (the female lays up to five hundred eggs, and within 21 days the larvae are already feeding on potato tops). Weather conditions aren't that important to them, as long as they have food. If no treatments (folk or chemical) are used, the tops will be destroyed and there will be no harvest.

Manufacturers were faced with the challenge of creating a product that would kill not only beetles but also their eggs and larvae. August, the company that developed this product, combined three substances (different classes of chemical compounds) with different effects on the pest.

The drug is called "Beetle eater."

Description of the drug:

• available in 9ml containers;
• a combination of three substances: alpha-cypermethrin, imidacloprid, clothianidin;
• Consumption: 1.5 ml of product per 3 liters of water;
• solution consumption: 3 liters per 100 m²;
• processing: spraying;
• crop: potato;
• drug form: suspension (concentrate);
• shelf life: 2 years;
• storage temperature: from -30° to +35°.

Composition of the drug

1. Imidacloprid. A fast-acting, effective substance that accumulates in leaves and stems. Beetles that eat these leaves become paralyzed and die.
2. Alpha-cypermethrin. The substance acts upon contact, accumulating on the leaf surface. It takes effect in the body within an hour, affecting the pest's nervous system.
3. Clothianidin. It accumulates in plants, retaining its properties for a long time. The insect dies if it ingests the substance.

Beetle Eater for Colorado potato beetles: instructions for use

The effectiveness of any chemical product depends on the correct use of doses of active ingredients, so it is essential to read the instructions.

Instructions for the drug "Zhukoed":

• per 100 m² of area – 1.5 ml of the product;
• draw up the required volume (the exact amount can be measured with a syringe) and place it in any non-food container;
• pour in a liter of water, stir;
• add more water, bringing the volume to three liters, stir;
• pour the liquid into a jar, bottle, or spray tank;
• carry out treatment in calm, dry weather;
• After rain, spray again;
• Dispose of any remaining mixture.

What is the advantage of the drug?

The combination of actions of the three substances in the drug has some advantages before other means:

• increases resistance to negative environmental influences;
• promotes the preservation and growth of potato tops (tops play a major role in the nutrition of tubers);
• acts quickly (adult beetles, larvae, and eggs die within 24 hours);
• acts on the pest from the underside of the leaf;
• has an effect on individuals that are not susceptible to one of the components;
• effective regardless of temperature and humidity of the environment;
• one treatment destroys the entire population;
• If safety precautions are observed, it does not have any harmful effects on humans.

Precautionary measures

Taking precautions will protect you from the harmful effects of chemicals:

• Thick clothing will protect your skin, gloves will protect your hands, glasses will protect your eyes, a mask will protect your respiratory tract, and rubber shoes will protect your feet;
• carry out the treatment in calm weather in the morning or evening (not such a high temperature);
• When spraying, it is forbidden to drink or smoke to prevent the sprayed product from entering the respiratory tract;
• Children, pets, and pregnant women are prohibited from being near the area being treated;
• It is prohibited to mix the drug with other drugs;
• Do not use food containers when preparing the solution;
• After the procedure, take everything off, take a shower, rinse your mouth;
• Choose a storage location inaccessible to children and away from food.

Reviews

Oleg Maksimovich, Krasnodar region

We tried various Colorado potato beetle treatments. We knew our neighbors used a product called "Zhukoed" for this purpose, and they said it was very effective. We bought it, tried it, and the beetles disappeared from our potatoes. However, like all similar products, it washes away in the rain, so we had to repeat the treatment.

Alexander Petrovich, Moscow region

In a small plot like ours, you can collect beetles by hand, but time is always a concern, and it's often impossible to visit the plot. The "Zhukoed" product is a lifesaver for us. We've learned that you need to treat them promptly, and then everything will be fine. And what we like is that it's easy to mix and use.

Stepan

I didn't know about the "Zhukoed" product, but I always bought Colorado potato beetle treatments and compared them. The salespeople recommended this product to me. I diluted it according to the instructions. The tops cleared up within two hours, and the next day, all was well. Five days later, the beetles reappeared, so I repeated the treatment. I can't pinpoint the cause—I don't know. Maybe the rain washed the product off the tops? I saw for myself that it works for a while.

Galina, Voronezh region

I used "Zhukoed" last year. Indeed, after the spray, the beetles died within 24 hours, which revived my spirits. However, after the rain, the insects reappeared, albeit in small numbers. I had to repeat the treatment. The summer wasn't particularly rainy, so I don't know how the situation would have unfolded had the weather been rainy.

And one more thing: my plot isn't very big, just three hundred square meters, so one bottle was enough for two treatments. But what if the plot is larger? The product isn't that cheap, and on a larger area the consumption would be much higher.

I'll try it again this year to finally decide whether to use it or not.