Instructions for using the Apache remedy against Colorado potato beetles, how to dilute

Garden pests can cause significant damage and even ruin crops, so gardeners resort to various chemicals to control them. Apache has recently become popular against Colorado potato beetles. Before using it, it's important to understand how to dilute it to achieve results without harming your plants or your health.

Description of the product

Apache powder for combating Colorado potato beetles was developed by Japanese scientists. This product is a new product, so the beetles haven't yet had time to adapt to it and develop immunity. The small package, designed for gardeners and small-scale farmers, contains five sachets weighing 0.5 g. The large package, which is more often used by farmers or rural residents, includes 25 sachets with a substance weight of 2 g.

Operating principle

The poison contains clothianidin, the main active ingredient. It accounts for half of Apache's total composition. This gives the product a contact and intestinal effect. Its mechanism of action is based on protein binding. When applied to plants, clothianidin interacts not only with the plants themselves (their cells) but also with the Colorado potato beetle.

The reaction with the protein causes impulsive overexcitation, which provokes the subsequent death of the insect.

Preparation of working solution

To treat a 10-hectare (0.4 acres) area, you'll need to dilute 2.5 g of Apache. A 0.5 g sachet from a small pack is enough to treat 200 square meters (0.7 acres) of planting. To prepare the working solution, take one small 0.5 g sachet and dissolve it in 10 liters of water.

To treat a 10-hectare area, first dilute 5 0.5g sachets of Apache in 1 liter of water. This solution is sufficient to prepare 50 liters of working solution. Add 200g of concentrated solution for every 10 liters of water.

The liquid solution is recommended for use not only for spraying, but also for soil irrigation. To prepare this mixture, dissolve a couple of 0.5g packets of Apache poison in 10 liters of water. This solution will not only kill the Colorado potato beetle itself, but also its larvae in the soil, as well as thrips, wireworms, whiteflies, and aphids.

Specifics of using the Apache product

It's important to choose the right time to treat potatoes to maximize the effectiveness of Apache. In bright sunlight and hot weather, treatments are not only ineffective but also harmful to plants. The poison evaporates faster than it can be absorbed into the treated crop. Droplets of liquid on the leaves can cause sunburn.

Prolonged rainy weather also negatively impacts the effectiveness of the treatment. Leaves must be dry before spraying, otherwise the active ingredient will be poorly absorbed into the plant tissue. At least one hour should pass after applying Apache before rain begins. This will allow the required concentration of the product to be absorbed into the tissue. Furthermore, the tubers will not accumulate the toxin. They can be eaten 30 days after treatment.

Spraying with Apache against the Colorado potato beetle can be combined with fertilizers containing growth stimulants. Sometimes, a small amount of laundry soap is added to the poison to improve its adhesion to the foliage and prevent it from rolling off.

Toxicity of the drug

Apache is classified as a Group 3 toxicity product for humans. It also poses a moderate risk to fish, but is lethal to bees. If there is an apiary within 10 km, you will need to choose an alternative means of killing Colorado potato beetles.

Safety precautions

When working with the poison, it is recommended to wear a respirator, gloves, and a protective suit. After finishing work, change clothes and take a shower. Pets should be kept away from the treated area.

Spraying is recommended to be done in the morning or evening hours in calm weather.

Under no circumstances should you eat, drink, or smoke while treating plants with Apache.

Pros and cons

Gardeners highlight the low toxicity to humans as one of the main advantages of the Apache product.

The advantages of this drug also include:

• fast action (death of beetles was observed within an hour after treatment);
• during the growing season it is enough to carry out only one treatment;
• At the same time, the preparation protects against thrips, aphids and whiteflies;
• high economic effect;
• the product does not cause addiction in pests and prevents their adaptation;
• The preparation is not washed away by precipitation or irrigation.

The numerous advantages do not exclude some disadvantages of the Apache, which include:

• increased danger to bees (this drawback is considered the main one, since if there is an apiary nearby, then using the drug is completely prohibited);
• high price compared to drugs produced by domestic companies;
• does not guarantee protection against ticks.

Reviews

Gardeners and summer residents have experienced firsthand the advantages and disadvantages of Apache in combating the Colorado potato beetle. They are happy to share their feedback and impressions.

Alina Valeryevna, a summer resident: "I've been growing potatoes in my garden for a long time, and the Colorado potato beetle was always a real problem. I learned about the "Apache" pest control product from a magazine ad and decided to give it a try. The results were very surprising: after just one treatment, the pest was practically invisible in my garden. I had a good potato harvest."

Viktor Vladimirovich, an experienced gardener, said: "I heard about Apache from my neighbors. The price was a bit of a bummer, but I decided to give it a try. I only applied it once during the season. Since then, the Colorado potato beetle hasn't caused me any major problems or jeopardized my future harvest. My subsequent calculations showed that buying Apache once was more cost-effective than buying cheaper products several times. Plus, I saved a ton of time and effort by reducing the number of sprays."

Anastasia Sergeevna, owner of a private plot: "I never got around to using Apache in my garden. After purchasing the product and carefully reading the instructions, it became clear that it was strictly prohibited to use it near an apiary, and our neighbors just over the fence had several beehives. We didn't want to risk it and gave the poison to our parents, who also had a large garden.

I must say, they were pleasantly surprised by the results. Previously, Dad had to spray the crop several times a season and barely keep up with the Colorado potato beetle. Now, the garden only needed one spray, and the infestations stopped. Going forward, the parents plan to switch entirely to Apache, as it doesn't cause the pests to become resistant.