Content
Chemicals accumulate in the soil and gradually deplete it. Therefore, many gardeners prefer to use traditional methods to control pests. And if to destroy the Colorado potato beetle you can use external means that have practically no contact with the ground, then this will not work in the fight against wireworms. In any case, you have to choose between chemistry and folk remedies. Observations of many gardeners show that wireworms react poorly to some plants, including mustard. In this article we will look at methods of combating this pest using a proven folk method.
Description of the pest
Wireworms and click beetles are one and the same thing. Only the wireworm is a larva, and the beetle is an adult. The pest lives no more than 5 years. In spring, young larvae are born, which are not harmful to potato plantings. They feed preferably on humus. The next year the larva becomes hard and turns yellow. It is these adult larvae that feed on potato tubers. It will take another 2 years before the young individual becomes a beetle. During this period, the insect is especially dangerous for young plants.
3 years after birth, the larva turns into a pupa, and by autumn it becomes an adult click beetle.In the fifth year of life, the insect lays eggs again, and then everything happens according to the scheme described above.
For some period, the larva can remain on the surface of the soil, looking for food for itself. Then the wireworm can go deeper inside, where it will not harm the beds in any way. Over the course of the entire season, the insect can rise outside several times. Most often, wireworms are found in areas in the spring and in the last month of summer or early September.
The larva prefers moist soil. That is why in the midst of the heat, when the soil is especially dry, it is located deeper. The insect thrives in acidic and moist soils. The appearance of a pest can be caused by too thick planting of potatoes, the presence of a large number of weed.
At the same time, the wireworm does not like soil fertilized with nitrogen. From the above it follows that to combat it it is necessary to reduce the acidity of the soil. Such a habitat is not suitable for the normal life of an insect.
Fighting wireworm
It is necessary to start fighting wireworms only if the insects damage most of the potato crop. The fact is that wireworms are also part of the ecosystem, and in small quantities they will not greatly harm plants.
Chemicals do not always give good results. The reason is that the wireworm can go very deep into the soil, where the drug simply cannot reach it. For this reason, it is much more useful and effective to use traditional methods. With their help, you can significantly reduce the number of insects in your area.
The experience of some gardeners shows that mustard or mustard powder works great against wireworms. Below we will look at different ways to use mustard for these purposes.
Mustard powder for wireworms
The wireworm is afraid and really dislikes mustard. This can be used beneficially in the fight against insects. For example, some gardeners throw a little mustard powder into the potato hole. This method will not harm the soil or the potato crop in any way. So you don’t have to worry about your plants. But the wireworm is unlikely to be happy with such a surprise.
How to sow mustard against wireworms
Many gardeners sow mustard on their plots immediately after harvesting. It sprouts quickly and covers the ground with a dense carpet. Then, for the winter, the area is dug up along with the plants. This procedure not only helps get rid of wireworms, but also improves the quality and fertility of the soil.
Mustard is sown around the end of August. Seeds are purchased at the rate of 250 grams per hectare of land. Sowing is carried out as follows:
- Prepared seeds are sown by throwing them away from oneself. This way, you will be able to sow mustard much more evenly.
- Then take a metal rake and use it to cover the seeds with soil.
- The first shoots will appear in 4 days. After 14 days, the area will be completely overgrown with mustard.
Some gardeners leave mustard to winter under the snow. There it decomposes on its own until spring.
The Internet is simply overflowing with positive reviews about this method. Many note that the number of larvae has decreased by almost 80%. These results are simply amazing.
Conclusion
Mustard against wireworms is not the only, but very effective means of combating this insect. Moreover, it can be either white or dry mustard. Seeds should be planted immediately after harvest to give the plants time to grow before frost. The very next year, potatoes are planted in this area. In the fall, the procedure can be repeated, and so on every year. Some gardeners even sow mustard seeds between rows of potatoes.
Then, when the plant grows, it is mowed and the soil is mulched. Whatever method you use, we are sure that mustard will help you overcome the pest.
