Terri-Lee Reid
Q. How can I control potato bugs?
A. Are potato bugs defoliating your potato plants? Potato bugs can quickly become resistant to many insecticides. Instead of using chemicals, try the following:
• Inspect plants regularly. Shake any adult leaf beetles found on plants onto a drop cloth and transfer these to a container of soapy water.
• Attract natural predators such as spined soldier bugs, lady beetles, parasitic wasps and tachinid flies.
• Apply parasitic nematodes to help control the larvae. Follow instructions carefully for storage and application procedures.
• Learn more chemical-free ways to control bugs.
