Content
- 1 Characteristics and effect of the drug
- 2 Advantages and disadvantages
- 3 Application area
- 4 Is it possible to treat strawberries with Karbofos?
- 5 How to properly treat strawberries with Karbofos
- 6 Is it possible to use Karbofos with other products?
- 7 Security measures
- 8 Conclusion
- 9 Reviews about the drug Karbofos
Karbofos for strawberries is in demand both among gardeners and plantation owners. The effectiveness of the drug depends on the concentration of the solution and the correctness of its use.
Characteristics and effect of the drug
Karbofos is an acaricidal and insecticidal agent classified as a class of organophosphorus compounds. The drug has a wide spectrum of action: it is also used in agriculture, it helps in the fight against various pests. In medicine, Karbofos is known as a means for sanitary and household disinfection.
The active ingredient of the drug is the component malathion. It is a colorless liquid with an unpleasant odor similar to a thiol. To the touch, Karbafos in undiluted form has an oily structure. Diethyldithiophosphoric acid is present as impurities.
Malathion is slowly hydrolyzed in water and is thermally stable, but when mixed with acid it transforms into a more active form - malaoxone.
The first developments of Karbofos belong to academician Arbuzov, who received the prototype of the modern drug in the 20th century
The insecticide has an enteric-contact action. When it enters the digestive system of an insect, Karbofos poisons it. Complete death of the pest occurs after 3-4 hours.
If you treat strawberries with Karbofos several times in the fall, spring and summer, its effectiveness is significantly reduced. This is due to the fact that insects, in response to poison, produce an enzyme that neutralizes harmful substances. It is recommended to process 2-3 times a year.
Advantages and disadvantages
There is a significant variety of insecticides on the market, but Karbofos has a number of advantages:
- efficiency (destroys most pests after initial treatment);
- remains effective for two months;
- capable of killing bedbugs at any stage of development;
- affects ants, cockroaches, fleas;
- Available in stores in various dosage forms (emulsion and powder).
The only significant drawback when treating strawberries against pests with Karbofos is the presence of a strong toxic odor that can persist for several months. Under the influence of environmental factors, the insecticide quickly disintegrates: outdoors after ten days, in a greenhouse after a week.
Application area
The drug is widely used in agricultural production and in the forestry industry for disinfection work.The chemical is also popular among warehouse owners who want to protect their supplies from pests.
In the agricultural industry, the insecticide effectively kills aphids, spider mites, copperheads, bedbugs, whiteflies and ants.
Karbofos fights not only pests, but also pollinating insects
Is it possible to treat strawberries with Karbofos?
This crop needs protection throughout the growing season. Karbofos can be sprayed on strawberries in autumn and spring. To achieve maximum effect, you should follow the instructions for use.
How to properly treat strawberries with Karbofos
All work must be planned in advance. Prepare equipment, utensils, and tools. Weather conditions, the volume of cultivated area, and time of year should be taken into account.
The optimal air temperature for processing strawberries is 12-25 °C. When these values increase or decrease, the effectiveness of the drug noticeably changes for the worse.
To prepare the solution, it is best to use water with neutral or slightly acidic acidity. If the pH is above 7, then Karbofos may partially lose its properties. You can use citric acid to acidify the water. To do this, it is enough to dissolve 3-5 g of the substance in 10 liters of water. If acetic acid is available, then you need to add 5 ml of 9% essence to 10 liters of water.
The optimal liquid temperature is 10-16 °C. Gardeners often prefer water from open reservoirs or wells. In this case, you need to dial it in advance and let it settle and warm up. Karbofos dissolves less well in cold water. If the liquid is preheated, it will lose some of the oxygen.
When preparing Karbofos solution, it is forbidden to use food containers: it is better to give preference to special containers
Rules for working with insecticide when spraying strawberries:
- The procedure must be carried out either before the appearance of pests, or at the height of their activity, but before reproduction begins.
- Strawberry beds should be prepared: weed, remove plants pollinated by bees. It is recommended to remove dry shoots and leaves. If there are beehives on the site, cover them with film.
- Treat not only the upper part of the bush, but also the leaves on the underside. The Karbofos solution must reach all parts of the plant.
- Strawberries should be sprayed evenly using a spray bottle or other dispenser. Care must be taken to ensure that the substance does not flow onto the ground. To spray strawberries evenly, it is recommended to keep the tip of the sprayer at a distance of no more than 50 cm from the bush.
- The optimal time for work is in the evening, when the activity of most insects is significantly reduced, and the drug, due to temperature changes, will stay longer on the leaves in the form of drops.
- Do not process strawberries during rain or strong winds. If bad weather occurs after the procedure, irrigation should be repeated under more favorable conditions.
- The prepared solution cannot be stored; it must be used immediately. The duration of work should not exceed an hour. Dispose of the remaining solution.
Treatment of strawberries with Karbofos in spring
After the snow melts, all of nature awakens, including ticks and strawberry weevils.Their appearance coincides with the laying of buds on strawberries. Therefore, in the spring, you need to dilute Karbofos for processing before the flowers appear. Treated bushes should be covered with film for 10-12 hours.
The best means for spraying is a spray bottle
Treatment of strawberries with Karbofos in autumn
At the end of summer, the plant needs to be protected from ticks. After harvesting, strawberries can be treated with Karbofos. To do this, you need to dissolve 60 g of powder in 8 liters of water and irrigate the plants with the prepared product. After the procedure, it is recommended to cover the bed with strawberries with film and leave for 10-12 hours.
Is it possible to use Karbofos with other products?
According to the instructions, you cannot combine the insecticide with other drugs for similar purposes. It is recommended to use analogues no earlier than ten days after spraying strawberries with an insecticide.
Products such as Fufanon or Kinmiks have similar effects and properties to Karbofos.
Security measures
Before diluting Karbofos for spraying strawberries, you need to take into account that the drug has a third hazard class. This means it poses little threat to humans, birds and animals, but is toxic to insects.
Safety precautions:
- All work must be carried out using protective equipment. Rubberized gloves, glasses, pants and a long-sleeve shirt made of thick fabric. All equipment must be put on before preparing the solution and removed only after irrigating the strawberries.
- During work, you need to use a sprayer or spray bottle.
- You cannot eat food or drink water.
- It is prohibited to irrigate strawberries with Karbofos if the distance from the beds to the hives is less than 5 km.
- It should be taken into account that at elevated air temperatures the substance decomposes faster.
- After processing strawberries, you must definitely change your clothes. All equipment should be washed with detergent.
- Upon completion of work, clean the nasal cavity, rinse your face with water, and wash your hands with soap.
- Store the opened drug in places where moisture does not penetrate. Do not place the box near food, a fire source, or drinking liquids.
- It is imperative to limit contact of Karbofos with small children and animals.
When using the sprayer, you should not lift the tip high or check its performance by bringing it close to your face.
Conclusion
Karbofos for strawberries should be used as an insecticide twice a year. Be sure to follow the instructions and use protective equipment. You can irrigate strawberries with a spray bottle or sprayer away from hives and ponds. To achieve maximum effect, the weather should be sunny and warm.
Reviews about the drug Karbofos
