Instructions for use of Regenta against Colorado potato beetles

"Regent" is a Colorado potato beetle pesticide that guarantees effective and long-lasting protection. This is precisely what most gardeners dream of when they grow nightshade crops, particularly potatoes. The pest can completely destroy crops and leave gardeners without a harvest, ruining all their efforts to grow plants. Regent, with its long-lasting effect, was developed to eradicate the Colorado potato beetle.

Description and characteristics of the drug

Regent 800 is a highly effective insecticide that is completely safe for humans and the environment. It attacks the Colorado potato beetle's nervous system and reduces its vital activity. The insect dies within 24 hours.

The drug is most often found on sale in the form of ampoules with concentrate, but is also available in powder form, intended for the preparation of a solution. Its effect lasts for 14-20 days from the moment of plant treatment.During this period, not only adult beetles but also larvae die.

Principle of action and composition

Regent's main active ingredient, fipronil, is sprayed onto potato foliage. The Colorado potato beetle consumes the poison along with the foliage. The toxins also reach the pest's legs or abdomen, directly affecting the insect's body. The insecticide blocks nerve impulses, causing paralysis and, after a short time, the beetle's death.

Preparation of the solution

To prepare the working solution, the manufacturer recommends using the table on the back of the Regent package. The poison is prepared using the following procedure:

• Uncork the ampoule with poison and pour the contents into a suitable container.
• Add the required amount of water according to the instructions on the back (usually 1 ampoule is designed for 10 liters of water).
• Mix the resulting Regent solution well and pour it into a sprayer or container with a spray nozzle.

How to use Regent correctly

The prepared working mixture must be used in one go; further storage will degrade the product's properties, and the desired effect will no longer be achieved. Applications should be carried out exclusively in the morning or evening to prevent plant burns.

To carry out spraying, choose a dry and windless day so that the poison has time to act on the Colorado potato beetle (at least 2 hours should pass before precipitation begins).

Toxicity of the drug

Regent is classified as a Class 3 toxicity product, requiring certain precautions when handling. At least three weeks should pass after use before harvesting or consuming the crop. The poison is dangerous to bees, fish, and amphibians, so it is not recommended to use it near apiaries, and pets should be kept away while spraying with Regent.

Precautions for use

To prevent poisoning with Regent during work and storage, it is necessary to observe safety regulations, which recommend:

• When spraying, use personal protective equipment;
• store the drug as far away from food as possible;
• do not keep poison in a place accessible to children and visible;
• avoid contact of the solution with mucous membranes;
• After use, wash all dishes with laundry soap and rinse with plenty of water;
• After completing the work, take a shower and change clothes.

Advantages and disadvantages

Regent has gained popularity among gardeners due to its numerous advantages, which include:

• absence of pungent odor;
• high efficiency;
• reasonable price;
• long term of action;
• ease of preparation of the working solution.

There are no particular disadvantages to the drug, but for some gardeners it is inconvenient that they sometimes have to repeat spraying. The product also poses a threat to bees and cannot be used near apiaries.

Storage conditions and shelf life

There are no special storage conditions for Regent. It retains its properties perfectly at temperatures ranging from -30°C to +30°C until the last month of the manufacturer's recommended use-by date, which is always indicated on the packaging. Do not store poison in places accessible to children.

The prepared working solution of "Regent" must be used within several hours, after which it loses its properties.

Domestic analogues

The original Regent is produced by a German company, but there are also worthy domestic analogues of this drug, among which are:

• "Image";
• Corado;
• "Tanrek";
• "Imidor".

The principle of their operation is similar to Regent.

Feedback from our readers

Many gardeners have learned firsthand about the advantages and disadvantages of Regent and are ready to share their feedback.

Gennady Vladislavovich, gardener: "My pension doesn't allow me to buy expensive Colorado potato beetle control products, and cheap ones aren't always effective. After extensive testing, I decided to try Regent 800. I was pleased with the results, as the next day I didn't see any more beetles on my potatoes. The aphids disappeared along with them. I repeated the treatment a month later, and the crop remained safe and sound."

Mikhail Andreevich, owner of a private plot: "Regent caught my attention because it doesn't accumulate in potato tubers, and three weeks after treatment, the crop becomes completely safe for human consumption. In practice, the product proved effective, even though it's from an inexpensive series. We had to carry out additional treatments, but this is a minor drawback that can be tolerated."

Elena Yuryevna, a summer resident: "I was dissatisfied with the use of Regent. A week after treatment, the Colorado potato beetle attacked my property again. My neighbors say I may have purchased a counterfeit product, which is why its effectiveness was negligible, but my impression is already spoiled. I'll try similar products."