Instructions for use of the Colorado potato beetle repellent Inta-Vir

Fruit and vegetable pests can cause significant damage to crops. Recently, even proponents of biological pesticides have acknowledged that pesticides are sometimes unavoidable. The insecticide Inta-Vir can help control many pests, including the highly destructive Colorado potato beetle, as gardeners' reviews confirm.

Characteristics of Inta-vir

To safely and effectively use the product, gardeners must know the characteristics of Inta-Vir, its composition, and its mechanism of action on insects.

Compound

Inta-vir is an insecticide with both intestinal and contact action (from the Latin insectum, meaning insect, and cide, meaning to kill). It is used to treat garden and various indoor plants against a wide range of harmful insects. The product belongs to the class of pyrethroids, which adversely affect the nervous system of insects upon direct contact with treated plants.

The active ingredient in the preparation is cypermethrin, at a concentration of 3.75% (37.5 grams per kilogram).

Release form and packaging

The drug is produced by Russian manufacturers in the form of a water-soluble powder and large tablets weighing 8 grams.

The scope of influence and the mechanism of influence on the insect

The product immediately affects insects treated or present on sprayed plants. It paralyzes all organs of the pests, affecting their nervous system. According to the manufacturer, the product kills 52 species of insects.

Successfully combats pests such as: whiteflies, codling moths, thrips, various types of aphids, Colorado potato beetles, domestic cockroaches, moths, fungus gnats, cherry and carrot flies, and others.

The drug is registered until 2024 and is approved for use in private households and farms throughout Russia.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like other plant protection products, the insecticide Inta-vir has its positive and negative aspects, which must be taken into account when using the product.

Pros:

• has a broad spectrum of action and is used to control a large number of pests;
• The insecticide is particularly effective due to its systemic and contact action;
• can be mixed with many chemicals, as well as fertilizers;
• absence of phytotoxicity;
• The duration of the protective effect of Inta-vir is up to 2 weeks.

Cons:

• It has a detrimental effect on all insects—both pests and beneficials. It is especially dangerous for bees that pollinate treated plants;
• Pests can develop resistance with frequent treatments. Therefore, rotating insecticides is necessary;
• dangerous for fish, avoid getting into water bodies.

Toxicity: How dangerous is it for humans?

Inta-vir belongs to the group of Class III hazardous substances (moderately hazardous substances). It is lethal to insects but poses a minor threat to humans and warm-blooded animals (including domestic ones).

Consumption rates and efficiency

The application rate of the chemical depends more on the pest species than on the garden crop. It is prohibited to use the product more than three times per season. This will lead to the development of resistance (tolerance, insensitivity) in pests to the insecticidal action of the product.

1. To control Colorado potato beetles, garden aphids, thrips, and other pests, dilute one tablet in 10 liters of water. Use Inta-vir throughout the growing season.
2. For leaf-eating caterpillars (leaf rollers, cabbage whites, and codling moths), dilute 1 tablet per 10 liters of water. Plants can be sprayed throughout the growing season.
3. To control weevils, dissolve 1.5 tablets in 10 liters of water. Treat crops throughout the growing season.
4. To combat whiteflies, dissolve 2 Inta-Vir tablets in 10 liters of water. Spraying should be done during the growing season.
5. To control currant glassworm and stem fly, use 1 tablet per 10 liters of water. Spray before flowering and after harvest.

Efficiency and duration of action of chemicals

For maximum effectiveness, apply the product in dry, windless weather. It's important to avoid precipitation for 3-4 hours after application, otherwise the product will simply wash away. The chemical is non-phytotoxic. Inta-Vir maintains a protective effect for 10-15 days.

Possibility of combining with other means

The insecticide can be used in a tank mix with other chemicals and fertilizers, provided they are compatible. Pesticides should not cause an alkaline reaction; this is monitored before each use.

An important sign of drug incompatibility is the formation of a precipitate when mixed.

How to use pest control products correctly

Use a fresh, prepared solution. Any remaining working solution after spraying should not be saved. Its effectiveness will be reduced during subsequent treatments. Dispose of this solution. Never pour the solution into bodies of water or into the ground in areas with close groundwater levels.

Preparation of working solution

To treat bushes, dissolve one tablet in 10 liters of warm or cool water, stirring until completely dissolved. To enhance the effectiveness of the product, it is recommended to add an adhesive, such as Trend. However, if you don't have one, finely grated laundry soap will also work.

Timing and technology of bush treatment

When using any product, it's important to adhere to the correct application timing. Inta-Vir is no exception. Berry crops, raspberries, blackberries, currants, and strawberries should be treated with Inta-Vir before flowering and always after fruiting has ceased. Spraying at the beginning of flowering is harmful to bees and can cause fruit drop.

Various vegetable (for example, potatoes, cabbage) and fruit crops (apple trees, plums, pears and others) are treated during the growing season, but always 20-21 days before the start of harvest.

When treating, use 1.5-2.0 liters of the working solution per blackberry, gooseberry, or currant bush. During treatment, thoroughly wet the foliage, but avoid running the solution off. When treating small fruit trees, use 1.5-2.0 liters per tree. However, for mature trees, use 5.0 liters.

Restrictions and safety measures

When spraying plants with the product, observe all safety precautions. Avoid spraying in windy conditions and use various protective equipment, such as a respirator, gauze mask, gown, safety glasses, gloves, and high, closed shoes and a hat.

After finishing work, wash all exposed areas of the body with soap, and even better, take a shower.

Providing medical assistance in case of chemical exposure

If Inta-vir comes into contact with skin, wash the affected area thoroughly with soapy water. If the eyes are affected, rinse them thoroughly with clean, running water. If the drug is inhaled or ingested, rinse the mouth and nose with a pinkish solution of potassium permanganate. Drink several (2-3) glasses of water, induce copious vomiting, then take activated charcoal, and be sure to consult a doctor.

Duration and storage rules

This chemical should never be stored together with food, beverages, medications, or, of course, in places easily accessible to children and animals. The product remains effective when stored at temperatures ranging from -10°C to +30°C. The shelf life, when properly stored in undamaged packaging, is 4 years.

Mixtures and analogues

If necessary, the product can be used in a tank mix with other chemicals or fertilizers. Products based on the active ingredient, cypermethrin, that are similar to Inta-Vir are also available: Sherpa, Arrivo, Nurell D, and Iskra.

Gardeners' reviews of Inta-Vir

Svetlana Grinevskaya, Samara.

"I've been using Inta-Vir for a long time, and it has never let me down! The advantage of this product, especially for retired summer residents, is that it's effective and inexpensive. I recommend it to my summer house neighbors."

Anastasia Temnikova, Simferopol.

"I use Inta-Vir not only in the garden but also on my houseplants. However, it's not recommended for indoor use, especially on the balcony, in the summer."