How to Get Rid of Potato Bugs Naturally
There are a few reasons why people may dislike potato bugs. Some people find them gross or creepy-looking, while others may be afraid of them because they can bite. Additionally, potato bugs are known to eat crops, damaging farmers’ harvests. While potato bugs may not be the most popular insects, they serve an important role in the ecosystem as decomposers. Consequently, they play a crucial role in breaking down dead plants and animals, which helps to fertilize the soil. So, if you are looking for how to get rid of potato bugs naturally, there are a few things you can do.
The best ways to get rid of potato bugs naturally are to use diatomaceous earth and to make preventative measures, such as using healthy soil and maintaining a clean garden. Other ways you can get rid of potato bugs are to make and use a mixture of water and dish soap or vinegar and to use natural predators.
So, now that you have an idea of how to get rid of potato bugs naturally, let’s examine what these bugs are and why you need to get rid of them before examining the methods of how to get rid of them in greater detail. So to find this all out and more, keep reading!
What Are Potato Bugs?
Potato bugs are small, brownish-red insects that infest potatoes and other crops. They are major agricultural pests in many parts of the world and can cause severe damage to plants. Potato bugs are about 1/4 inch long, have six legs, and are most often found in gardens, since they feed on a variety of plants, including potatoes. However, they are not just attracted to plants. As
Male and female potato bugs mate and lay eggs in the soil near potatoes or other crops. The eggs hatch into larvae which burrow into the potato or crop and feed on it. This can cause severe damage to the plant, and make the potato inedible. Potato bugs can also spread diseases to plants.
How Potato Bugs Spread
There are a few ways that potato bugs can spread. They can hitchhike on people or animals, or they can fly. They can also crawl through small openings and cracks in buildings, as they are also attracted to light, so they may enter your home through open doors or windows. They can also crawl under doorways and through cracks and crevices in walls. Once they’re inside, they’ll hide during the day and come out at night to feed on plant leaves.
So, if you have potato bugs in your home, it’s important to take steps to control them and prevent them from spreading.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Potato Bugs
So, now that you know that these potato bugs are small, brown insects that feed on plants, let’s examine the natural ways how to get rid of them. With a little effort, you should be able to get rid of these pests and protect your plants with these natural methods.
One of the simplest ways to eliminate potato bugs is to pick them off by hand and dispose of them. This method is most effective when there are only a few bugs present. You can try using a vacuum cleaner to suck them up, or you can place a piece of cardboard over the infested area and wait for them to crawl onto it so you can dispose of them. You can also try using a garden hose to spray them off of your plants.
However, while these methods can take care of a small potato bug issue, this would not be effective if there is a medium to a serious issue. So, here are a few natural ways that you can get rid of potato bugs.
1. Preventative Measures
The best way to avoid problems with potato bugs is to take preventive measures. That means keeping your garden clean and free of debris, which can give these bugs a place to hide.
Another thing you should make sure to do is to grow your potatoes in healthy soil. As this will help discourage the bugs from feeding on your plants.
Additionally, you should inspect your plants regularly for signs of infestation. If you spot any potato bugs, be sure to remove them right away. Taking these simple steps will help you avoid a potential disaster in your garden.
2. Diatomaceous Earth
One of the best ways to get rid of potato bugs naturally is to use diatomaceous earth. This is a type of powder made from the fossilized remains of tiny marine organisms such as algae. It works by puncturing the exoskeletons of insects when it comes in contact with them, as it will cause them to dehydrate and die. You can find diatomaceous earth at most garden supply stores or online.
3. Water and Dish Soap Mixture
Another way you can get rid of potato bugs naturally is by using a mixture of water and dish soap. What you will need to do is to mix two tablespoons of liquid dish soap with one quart of water. Then spray the mixture on the potato bugs, as well as the plants that are infested. The soap will kill the insects on contact. Reapply every few days until the problem is under control.
4. Water and Vinegar Mixture
Another great natural way to get rid of potato bugs is by trying to use a mixture of water and vinegar. This will kill potato bugs on contact and deter them from coming back. Just mix one part water with one part vinegar and spray it on the plants that are infested with potato bugs.
5. Natural Predators
Another way to get rid of potato bugs naturally is to use natural predators in your garden. Ladybugs and green lacewings are two of the most common predators used to control potato bug populations. As these natural predators will feed on aphids and other small insects. You can attract these helpful creatures by planting native flowers and herbs in your garden. Also, you can purchase these beneficial insects from many garden supply stores.
Why You Need to Get Rid of Potato Bugs
While they’re not necessarily harmful to humans, there have some very damaging effects on your plants. So here are a few key reasons why you should get rid of them or at least control the issue so that this does not become a serious problem for you.
1. They Will Damage Your Crops
Potato Bugs can cause considerable damage to crops if they are not controlled, as these little critters are voracious eaters, and they’re not picky about what they munch on. That means that your carefully cultivated potato crop is at risk if these bugs get loose in your garden. Therefore, if you allow potato bugs to eat your potato plants and other plants, it can actually cause the plant to produce fewer and smaller potatoes. In addition to this, they are very difficult to control once they become established in an area.
2. They Spread Disease
Another key reason to get rid of potato bugs is that they can spread disease. As potato bugs can spread disease from one plant to another, even if they do not eat the potatoes! In addition to this, in some cases, the diseases from potato bugs will not just harm your plants, but they can harm both humans and animals.
3. They Will Attract Other Pests
Another big reason to get rid of potato bugs is that their presence can attract other pests, such as ants and bees, which can further complicate matters.
So, if you think that you have a potato bug infestation, it’s important to take action immediately to prevent further damage. Otherwise, you could end up with a serious infestation on your hands.
Conclusion
You may not notice potato bugs until you see the damage they’ve done to your plants. They can cause severe damage to potato crops, as well as other vegetables and fruits. If you have potato bugs in your garden, you’ll need to take steps to control them. So, if you only have a few potato bugs, you can probably get rid of them yourself. However, if these methods do not work or if you have a serious infestation, you may need to call in a professional exterminator. Hopefully, you will not have to do this and by using these tips, you should be able to get rid of potato bugs naturally and keep your yard pest free. Just remember with a little patience and perseverance, you can get rid of potato bugs and keep your garden and plants healthy and thriving.
