"Aktara" is an effective product with intestinal and contact action. It is recommended for use to protect fruit, vegetable, and other plants from a range of leaf-eating and sucking pests. To achieve the desired results, the instructions for using "Aktara" for pest control must be strictly followed. Adherence to safety precautions is also crucial.
What is included in the composition and mechanism of action
This product is a contact and intestinal pesticide that helps combat parasites in various crops, including vegetables, berries, and flowers. Its formula helps protect potatoes, flowers, currants, and other plants from dangerous parasites.
This insecticide is recommended for use as a spray during the growing season and as a soil application. The latter method has pronounced systemic properties. The active ingredient is thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid. One kilogram of the product contains 250 grams of the active ingredient.
Purpose
The primary purpose of the powder or suspension is to control pests. Pest control is possible through soil application and ground spraying.
The insecticide helps protect a wide variety of plants from harmful insects:
- potatoes – from Colorado beetles;
- currants - from aphids;
- flower crops – from whiteflies, aphids, scale insects, thrips.
Advantages and disadvantages
The drug has the following advantages:
- preserves foliage;
- improves fruit quality;
- economical in use – this helps to reduce the number of treatments;
- provides an effect regardless of external factors – the product remains active at high temperatures and low humidity, and is impervious to precipitation and sunlight;
- provides a long-lasting protective effect;
- has a wide spectrum of activity;
- when sprayed, it gets inside the crops and practically does not penetrate the fruits;
- when used for soil, it exhibits a systemic effect;
- quickly stops insect feeding;
- helps to deal with hidden insects that live on the underside of leaves.
However, "Aktara" also has a number of drawbacks. Before application, the composition affects only adult insects and is minimally effective against larvae, eggs, and pupae.
Furthermore, with prolonged use, the substance can cause pests to become resistant. This significantly reduces its effectiveness. Therefore, Aktara must be combined with other products.
Existing forms of release
The drug is produced as a liquid suspension containing 25-35% of the active ingredient. It is also available as water-soluble granules, which can be used to prepare a working solution. The granules are sold in sachets weighing 4, 40, or 250 grams.
Peculiarities of pesticide application
"Aktara" is used for spraying above-ground plant parts. To use the product, you need to prepare a working solution. This is prepared outdoors. For this, it is recommended to dilute the contents of the packet in 1 liter of water. It is recommended to use a large container with a capacity of up to 2 liters.
When preparing the working solution, it is recommended to fill the sprayer tank a quarter full with water. For root watering, use 150-200 milliliters of the solution for potatoes, 250 milliliters for currants, and 600 milliliters for flowers. After this, bring the total amount to 5 liters. Then, close the sprayer and shake it well.
For treating larger areas, another method can be used. Mix one package of the product with 3 liters of water. Add more water for each liter of the resulting solution until the volume reaches 10 liters.
To soak seedlings, mix one package of the solution with 1 liter of water. This amount is enough for 200 plants. Soak the plants for 2 hours. Then they are ready for planting. The remaining liquid should be diluted to 10 liters and used to moisten the newly planted bed.
The protective effect lasts for 2.5 months after planting. Afterward, the plants need additional watering. Use one package of the product per 2 liters of water, or 20 milliliters of solution per plant. After this, the plants will remain protected for another 2 months.
It's helpful to use a potato tuber dressing. Apply 6 grams of "Aktara" to 300 milliliters of water. Afterward, it's recommended to place the tubers on plastic wrap, spray the planting material, and begin planting.
"Aktara" is ideal for fruit trees such as pears, apples, and cherries. It can also be used on shrubs such as raspberries, currants, and gooseberries. The product also provides excellent protection for vegetables such as potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and onions.
The liquid product is particularly effective when used on cabbage. It eliminates caterpillars and slugs while remaining safe for humans. Liquid "Aktara" is ideal for indoor plants. It can be used against thrips, whiteflies, aphids, and scale insects.
The uniqueness of this product lies in the fact that it provides long-lasting protection and at the same time requires only small amounts of application.
This is especially important for large treatment areas. Furthermore, using the substance reduces the need for frequent spraying.
Insecticide consumption rates directly depend on the type of crop being treated:
- To treat tomatoes against aphids, Colorado potato beetles, and whiteflies, it is recommended to use 4 grams of the product per 10 liters of water. This amount is used for root watering. For spraying plants, use 1.2 grams of the product per bucket of water.
- To control aphids, whiteflies, and tobacco thrips on cucumbers, it is recommended to use a solution of 8 grams of the product per bucket of water. For spraying bushes, mix 2-4 grams of "Aktara" with 10 liters of water.
- To protect peppers and eggplants from aphids, tobacco thrips, and rose thrips, it is recommended to mix 4-8 grams of the product with 10 liters of water. For spraying, use 2-4 grams of the product per 10 liters of water.
- To get rid of thrips and onion flies on onions, spraying is recommended. Use 4 grams of the product per 10 liters of water.
- To combat leafhoppers and codling moths on apple trees, use a solution of 3 grams of Aktara in 10 liters of water. For pear trees, use 4 grams of the solution.
- To treat cabbage against fleas and flies, seedlings should be watered with a solution of 3 grams of the preparation and 10 liters of water.
- If thrips appear on rose bushes, spray them with a solution of 16 grams of Aktara in 10 liters of water. To get rid of aphids, 4 grams of the solution is recommended.
Typically, for most garden crops, berry bushes, and vegetables, the application rates for irrigation and spraying are the same. On average, they are 4-8 grams per 10 liters of water.
Safety precautions
Aktara's hazard class can be 2 or 3, depending on its concentration. However, the compound is classified as hazard class 1 for bees. The active ingredient has a mild toxic effect on birds, fish, aquatic life, and earthworms. It does not exhibit phytotoxic properties.
Standard safety precautions must be observed when working with the substance. Do not use Aktara on pollinators if there are apiaries nearby. The recommended protective zone for bees is 4-5 kilometers. The product poses no danger to earthworms and insects that do not consume the leaves and roots of treated plants.
Do not store this product with food or drinking water. Also, avoid storing it near fertilizers and other similar products.
If ingested, the active ingredient of the drug can cause acute poisoning, accompanied by seizures of varying intensity. In this situation, gastric lavage is performed and sorbents are prescribed. Treatment should be symptomatic.
Before using an insecticide, it's important to carefully read the instructions. This will help prevent mistakes and get rid of all pests.
What to do in case of accidental poisoning
If Actara accidentally enters the body, it is important to provide first aid. The following is recommended:
- If the substance comes into contact with skin, wash off with soap and water.
- If the product gets into your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with running water.
- If the product enters the digestive tract, drink 3-4 glasses of water, induce vomiting, and take several tablets of activated charcoal. After this, consult a doctor immediately.
Is compatibility possible?
The product is compatible with many standard fungicides and insecticides. However, it is important to evaluate their compatibility before use.
What to replace it with
The following are analogs of "Aktara":
- Euphoria;
- "Tiara";
- "Cruiser".
"Aktara" is an effective product that can control most known pests. However, it's important to strictly follow the instructions for use.