keeping potato bugs away?

michiganfarmer · #1 07/07/10, 12:52 PM

Are there any plants that could be planted near potato plants that might keep potato bugs away?

Ive tried diotemascous earth, and wood ashes to get rid of the potato bugs, but neither one worked. Im currently using "7", but Id ike to get away from chemicals.

**Kris in MI** · #2 07/07/10, 01:09 PM

I'd like to know too, because my current method--handing each kid a pair of gloves and a bucket and telling them to help me pick bugs--isn't going over real well.

7thswan · #3 07/07/10, 02:05 PM

I don't know about plants,but Sevin will work. I go out and squish each morning instead. It seems that my rabbit manure Tea works a bit too.

geo in mi · #4 07/07/10, 02:36 PM

Here's some really deep stuff from the U. of Maine that might help. http://www.potatobeetle.org/Alyokhin...ew_reprint.pdf

Basically, there isn't anything that is really that effective. Considering that the potato is a globally important food, everyone is working on it, though.

Hope this info helps, but doesn't put you to sleep....

geo

michiganfarmer · #5 07/07/10, 03:23 PM

chickens work really well, but they strip the leaves too

Rockytopsis · #6 07/07/10, 03:43 PM

I don't know if I just did not have that many this year or the fact that I checked my short row 3 times a day being careful to check the back of the leaves for the eggs. I was able to stay ahead of them.

dawncagle · #7 07/07/10, 03:52 PM

They stripped two of my pepper plants, literally, to twigs overnight! Neem worked really well.

DW · #8 07/07/10, 06:36 PM

We plant garlic on one side & onions on the other...seems to work.

rancher1913 · #9 07/07/10, 07:20 PM

if you don't mind chemicals and since you used 7 you don't seem dead set against them--try to get your hands on something called "assana xl" its less toxic than 7 and repels the bugs from almost all garden plants with a very small window on haverst restrictions. its used on apples and tomatos and potatoes comericially and is a restricted pesticide so you will have to know someone to get it. we spray twice a season and don't see a potato bug all year.

rxkeith · #10 07/07/10, 09:03 PM

plant parsley, dill, and carrots. let them go to seed. the next year you will have them coming up all over the garden. remove whats in the way, and let a bunch remain. i did this with parsley, and dill in my calumet garden, not on purpose, but because i was lazy, and didn't tidy up in time one year. the following spring, there was a marked decrease in potato beetles. the next year, there weren't any at all. not sure how it works, but it does. a guy in alabama on another forum said an old lady who was pretty smart said pretty much the same thing to him. there is something to be said about squishing the little buggers that provides some satisfaction too.

keith

Chixarecute · #11 07/07/10, 09:09 PM

There is a story in DH's family that early in his parents' marriage, they sent away for a guaranteed potato bug killer. It was $10 or $15, a hug sum in those days. (MIL is 92). What came in the mail was 2 blocks of wood. That purchase probably rankled every day that they had to hand pick those potato bugs.

ajaxlucy · #12 07/07/10, 09:30 PM

I've read that the nightshades (common nightshade, bittersweet nightshade etc) are in the same family as potatoes and are attractive to potato bugs but poisonous to them, so if you leave some of them growing near your potatoes they'll help kill the insects. Don't know if that really works, though.

coup · #13 07/08/10, 05:43 AM

moved tator patch 1/10 of a mile 3 years ago.haven't had bugs for three years now...i plan on moving next year.

topside1 · #14 07/08/10, 06:54 AM

Michigan, I know I'm not much help in answering your question. But as others do I walk the lines and smash the bugs everyday. If I miss a day the plant matter will be noticably eaten. I have four very long rows and buying chemicals is costly. I walk the line, end up with orange finger and a summer tan....Topside

triplejmom · #15 07/08/10, 08:36 AM

I've been told by a neigbour to make a "tea" from rhubarb leave and water the plants with that. I haven't tried this myself.

Patt · #16 07/08/10, 08:44 AM

Guineas. We haven't had potato bugs for 2 seasons now since the guineas took over garden patrol. Lot less bugs of all types but they must love potato bugs. We used to hand pick them off and we got plenty every year until the last 2.

byexample · #17 07/08/10, 11:04 AM

Planting alternating rows of potatoes, beans, potatoes, beans, etc. helps to prevent their spread... the potato beetles don't like beans. I've heard that garlic and onion barriers work well too.

We've found rotation to be a big help... we make sure that our potatoes are grown far away from where they were grown the year before and we have less problems with potato beetles than anyone I know. This year, for whatever reason, we haven't seen any. It's kinda strange. I'm starting to suspect that the applications of beneficial nematodes prevented them growing in the first place.

We also have a really good population of predatory mites in our garden and overall our pest population is way, way down this year.

byexample · #18 07/08/10, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triplejmom

I've been told by a neigbour to make a "tea" from rhubarb leave and water the plants with that. I haven't tried this myself.

That's interesting. Not heard this one before... but I just might try it next time I have an issue with potato beetles.

Thanks for sharing!

Ravenlost · #19 07/08/10, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kris in MI

I'd like to know too, because my current method--handing each kid a pair of gloves and a bucket and telling them to help me pick bugs--isn't going over real well.

My Mama paid us 25 cents for every quart jar of potato bugs we picked. Of course, with inflation (that was 40 years ago) you might have to pay your kids a little more!

Best thing I've found to control potato bugs was something I did accidentally. One Fall I dug up all my raised beds and fed every grub I found to the chickens. The next Spring I only had a very few potato bugs show up. Now I do this every Fall and this year I didn't have one single potato bug!

lilray · #20 07/08/10, 06:50 PM

This is going to sound crazy, however. My wife grew up in Mexico and we currently live there now. We planted some tomatoes. well they attracted some bug.
she put soap powder on the leaves no mas bugs. I, now, instead of insecticide spray soap and water on the ground on the plants about twice a week. Not real strong but noticeable. It works and no harm done try it on one plant or so. It will work.