Success StoryOrganic Pest Control
Organic Pest Control
Author: Michelle Brock
Planning Unit: Bell County CES
Major Program: Pest ID
Plan of Work: Unrelated to a specified County Plan of Work
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
A gardener found that his potato plants were covered on bugs which were devouring the leaves. The pest was identified by the ANR Agent as a Colorado Potato Beetle. Upon the ANR Agent's initial visit it was estimated that around 80% of his potato plants were infested.
The gardener automatically started to ask about different pesticides to use to defeat the potato eating pests. The ANR agent discussed the various pesticides but suggested trying organic methods. The ANR Agent explained how to simply pick the bugs from the plants and drop them into a bucket of water. The gardener was also advised to check under leaves for egg clusters and if found crush them. After 3 weeks of hand picking the bugs from his plants the gardener reports that less than 5% of his potato plants are being bothered by Colorado Potato Beetles.
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