Mustard against wireworm: 3 ways to use
The wireworm is the larva of the click beetle. The larvae are especially dangerous for potatoes. They eat tubers, roots, tops and shoots, causing irreparable damage to the culture.
Content
Description of the wireworm
Wireworm in potatoes.
Maximum pest lifespan wireworm is 5 years. Young individuals eat only humus. They are not afraid of tubers. In the second year of life they become more rigid. It takes another 2 years to complete formation.
During this period, the larvae destroy tubers. During the season, wireworms rarely rise to the surface. Insects prefer moist soil with high acidity.
Wireworm control methods
Many gardeners fight the parasite with drugs that destroy the Colorado potato beetles. They usually start the fight with a large amount of damaged culture.
Based on the feedback of experienced gardeners, it became clear that the use of mustard or mustard powder will help to easily cope with the problem.
Mustard powder in the fight against wireworm
Wireworm larvae do not tolerate mustard. Therefore, it is actively used in the fight against the parasite.
Use of dry powder
Dry powder is poured into the wells.
The powder is poured into the holes when landing. The substance does not harm either the potato or the soil. This method is absolutely safe. To enhance the effect, you can add hot pepper.
That after harvest to carry out prevention from the wireworm and reduce the population, you just need to scatter the powder over the surface of the soil where potatoes grew.
Seeding mustard
Most people prefer to sow mustard on the site. After harvesting and planting, mustard can quickly sprout and cover the surface of the ground tightly. Before winter, it is necessary to dig up the garden in order to destroy the wireworms and at the same time improve the fertility of the land. Sowing is done at the end of summer. 1 hectare of land relies on 0,25 kg of seeds.
Seeding method:
- Seeds are scattered at arm's length. This will ensure even seeding.
- With a metal rake, the seeds are covered with earth.
- The appearance of the first shoots will occur after 4 days. And after 2 weeks, mustard will cover the entire area.
Conclusion
In the fight against wireworms, many chemical and folk substances are used. However, sowing mustard after harvest can reduce the number of pests by 85%. This result exceeds all expectations. However, it is worth remembering that insects are also part of the ecosystem and a small number of individuals will not cause problems.
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