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Finding effective methods to combat harmful insects is a pressing problem for gardeners. Lepidocide is a popular remedy against various types of pests. Instructions for use of Lepidocide contain detailed information about the mechanism of action and rules for using the insecticide.
Description of the drug Lepidocid
The product is an insecticide of biological origin. The substance is intended to protect crops from insect pests. Due to the specifics of the components, it has a selective effect.
Composition of Lepidocid
The main active ingredient is the microbial spores Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki, as well as their waste products. This is a type of gram-positive soil bacteria that produces endotoxins that exhibit insecticidal properties.
Manufacturer and release forms of Lepidocide
Biological raw materials for the drug are produced with the help of Sibbiopharm LLC. This is a well-known manufacturer in Russia of active substances used for agricultural purposes. The raw materials produced by this enterprise are used by other companies to produce different types of Lepidocide.
Detailed information about the product:
The drug is produced in several forms. The most common option is powder for making a liquid suspension that is used to treat affected plants. "Lepidocid" is produced in packages of 1 kg. The composition of the powder includes a large number of active spores. However, if used incorrectly, they do not provoke an increase in the number of bacteria, as a result of which the effectiveness of the insecticide decreases.
Pesticide is used to control caterpillars of harmful insects
The second form of Lepidocide is suspension concentrate (SC). This is an insecticide in liquid form, available in containers of 0.5 liters. It is usually used in case of mass pest infestations. There is also a modified suspension concentrate, which contains bacteria of a different serotype.
Mechanism of influence on pests
The main characteristics of Lepidocide are high selective efficiency and safety for plants. The product belongs to the category of intestinal insecticides.
The effect occurs when the active ingredients of Lepidocide penetrate the insect’s digestive system. Endotoxins, which are produced by bacteria, are activated inside the intestines and destroy it. This leads to the fact that the pests lose their ability to feed and subsequently die.
The product is effective against the following types of insects:
- leaf rollers;
- silkworm;
- meadow moths;
- moths;
- whites;
- fruit moth;
- cabbage and cotton bollworms;
- moths;
- codling moths;
- American butterfly.
Due to its rich odor, the drug is a strong repellent for insects.
The effect of the drug begins 4-5 hours after treatment of the plant. Mass death of insects occurs after 3-7 days.
Pros and cons of the drug Lepidocid
The biological product has many advantages. In addition to a wide spectrum of action and a high level of effectiveness, this insecticide is completely safe for the human body.
Other benefits include:
- The active ingredients are safe for bees and pollinating insects.
- The product does not have a harmful effect on plant cells.
- The drug does not affect the composition of the soil, since its main habitat is the intestines of insects.
- Active bacteria and spores do not accumulate in fruits.
- Pests do not show resistance to the insecticide, that is, they are not able to adapt to its action.
- The product can be combined with most pesticides, alcohol solutions, and acids.
- Residues of the drug are a safe type of waste and do not require special disposal.
Other biological insecticides that are analogues of Lepidocide also have identical properties. Despite a number of advantages, such funds also have disadvantages.
"Lepidotsid" is safe for bees and entomophagous insects
Among them:
- The drugs act only when they enter the intestines.
- The active substances do not destroy pests, but prevent them from feeding, which leads to death only after a few days.
- The migrating and breeding generation of insects may not be sensitive to the drug.
- The product is ineffective against some species of Coleopteran and Diptera pests.
- The insecticide only affects leaf-eating insects.
- The drug has a strong unpleasant odor.
- Treatment with Lepidocide must be carried out repeatedly to prevent the reappearance of pests.
The listed disadvantages indicate that the drug is not universal. Therefore, to achieve the required effect, the insecticide must be used in accordance with the rules.
Instructions for use of Lepidocide for plants
The method of use depends on which crop is affected by pests. The variety of “Lepidocide” also influences the application.
The plant should be treated with this product in case of massive infestation by leaf-eating insects, especially caterpillars. The powder or concentrate is dissolved in water.
The treatment preparation consists of a concentrate, water and an adhesive substance. The function of the latter can be performed by soapy liquid or a small amount of detergent.
Preparation of insecticide:
- Calculate the dose of the drug for processing a specific type of crop.
- Dilute the required amount of powder in 0.5 liters of warm water.
- Leave the solution for 10-15 minutes for the spores to become active.
- Introduce the product into the sprayer tank filled with liquid.
- Add an adhesive substance.
Caterpillars die within 2-3 days after treatment with the drug.
This preparation method is used for both Lepidocide powder and concentrate.Treatment of affected plants should be carried out in the morning, when the dew has dried. The foliage should be dry. If rain is forecast, it is recommended to reschedule the procedure.
Application of Lepidocid for vegetable crops
The insecticide is intended for repeated treatment during the growing season. The period between each procedure is 5 days. To get rid of vegetable pests, 2-3 treatments are enough.
"Lepidocide" is used to protect the following crops:
- potato;
- cabbage;
- beet;
- carrot;
- tomatoes;
- eggplant;
- pepper.
The product does not accumulate in plants and fruits
The most common types of vegetable pests are potato and cabbage moths, Colorado potato beetles, cutworms, meadow moths and moths. Treatment is carried out for each generation of insects. Detailed instructions for using “Lepidocide” against potato moths and other types of pests are included with the drug. The volume of the working solution ranges from 200 to 400 liters per 1 hectare of land.
Treatment of fruit and berry crops with Lepidocide
The drug is used to treat damage to many plant species. Due to its properties, the biological insecticide can be used to treat berry and fruit crops.
Among them:
- apple trees;
- plums;
- cherries;
- pears;
- cherries;
- apricot;
- grape;
- raspberries;
- Rowan;
- currant;
- mulberry;
- gooseberry;
- strawberries
Plants are sprayed with Lepidocide during the growing season at intervals of 7-8 days. For each generation of pests, 2 treatments are carried out. The third is allowed for preventive purposes, but it must be carried out no less than 5 days before harvest.
It is advisable to carry out the treatment in the morning in dry weather.
To prepare the working fluid, mix 20-30 g of the drug and 10 liters of water.This dose of insecticide is used to treat fruit trees. For berry bushes, use 2 liters of working fluid.
Plants are sprayed so that they are covered with a thin, damp layer. In this case, the liquid should not rapidly drain from the foliage. If this happens, the dosage has been exceeded.
Rules for using the insecticide Lepidocid
Despite the fact that the product is considered safe, a number of recommendations must be followed when processing plants. This will eliminate potential risks and ensure the effectiveness of procedures when affected by different types of caterpillars.
When spraying, a protective film should form on the plants.
Procedure steps:
- The working fluid is prepared from powder or concentrate.
- Fill the spray bottle.
- Spray the upper part of the plant, going down to the roots.
- Fruit trees and berry bushes are processed from several sides.
- If the weather is windy, spray in the direction of air movement.
- During the procedure, you need to use up all the prepared insecticide.
The effectiveness of the procedure is influenced by many factors. For pest control to be successful, several rules must be followed.
Among them:
- The treatment is carried out at an air temperature of no higher than 30 degrees.
- Plants cannot be sprayed at night, as pests do not feed at this time.
- A repeat procedure is necessary if there has been heavy rain since the previous one.
- When carrying out actions, it is necessary to limit the contact of pets with the drug.
- The components of the insecticide burn well, so the treatment is not performed near fire sources.
- The working solution cannot be prepared in a food container.
Before processing, you should make sure that there are no restrictions for the procedure.It is imperative to make sure that the plants are affected by pests sensitive to the action of Lepidocide.
Compatibility with other drugs
"Lepidocide" can be combined with synthetic and biological insecticides. However, this is not recommended, since the resulting mixture can pose a danger to plants and the human body. It is allowed to mix the drug in small doses with other insecticides. If the combination produces sediment, flakes, or foam, the resulting product should not be used.
Security measures
The drug does not pose a direct threat to the human body. It is not capable of causing acute poisoning even if it enters the intestines. However, other side effects are possible, which most often occur in people prone to allergies.
The following precautions are recommended:
- When processing, wear work clothes that cover the entire body.
- Use waterproof gloves.
- When spraying trees, wear glasses and cover your mouth and nose with a gauze bandage.
- Do not allow animals to come into contact with the insecticide.
- Spray vegetable crops and fruit trees at least 5 days before harvest.
- Do not spray the substance against the direction of the wind.
- Carry out disinfestation at a distance from reservoirs, apiaries, and plantings with fodder plants.
The biological product has a strong pungent odor, so it is difficult to remove from clothes.
Poisoning is possible only when a very large amount of insecticide enters the body. In this case, the victim develops symptoms of intoxication.
Among them:
- nausea;
- vomit;
- pale skin;
- diarrhea;
- abdominal pain;
- subcutaneous hemorrhages;
- dizziness.
If signs of intoxication appear, you should seek medical help. If the solution gets on your skin, rinse it with warm water and an antiseptic.
Storage rules
The insecticide should be kept in a separate utility room, which is inaccessible to children and animals. Storage near food, medicine, shoes and clothing is prohibited.
The storage period of the biological product is no more than 12 months.
The shelf life of the drug is 1 year. The storage location should be dry, with moderate air humidity. It is recommended to keep the insecticide at a temperature of 5 to 30 degrees.
Conclusion
Instructions for using Lepidocide will help you use the insecticide correctly in pest control. The product has many benefits and is safe for crops. Following the instructions, anyone can prepare a solution and spray against insects.
