Instructions for using the Tabu remedy for Colorado potato beetles on potatoes

Tabu is an insecticide designed to kill the Colorado potato beetle. Immediately after the poison enters the digestive tract, all nerve endings are damaged. The pest loses the ability to move or eat, and dies within a day. The instructions for using Tabu against Colorado potato beetles state that its effectiveness lasts 45-60 days, regardless of weather conditions. What other features does this insecticide have?

Composition and release form of the insecticide

The main component of Taboo VSK is imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid. One liter of the treatment contains 500 grams of the poison. Additional ingredients include surfactants, coloring pigments, and thickening agents.

The insecticide is produced as an aqueous suspension concentrate. At the factory, the poison is poured into the following containers:

• bottles of 10 and 50 milliliters;
• canisters – 1 and 5 liters.

The container is selected based on the number of tubers - 10 milliliters of the preparation are used for 120 potatoes.

Important! Due to the dye contained in the insecticide, treated tubers differ significantly from untreated ones. After applying the solution, they take on a red tint.

The aqueous suspension product can be stored in a closed container for no more than 3 years at temperatures from -10 to +40 degrees Celsius. The diluted concentrate remaining after processing is prohibited from storage.

The principle of action of the product

Immediately after treatment, the substance penetrates the cells of the planting material, forming a thin red film on its surface. As soon as the potatoes begin to grow, the poison also spreads to the young shoots. Thus, the tops become saturated with imidacloprid and become toxic. Pests that have consumed the greens experience almost immediate nervous system dysfunction. Within 24 hours of ingesting the greens, the Colorado potato beetle becomes paralyzed and dies.

The main advantage of the insecticide Tabu over other preparations is its principle of action: the active substances are located in the plant cells.

Therefore, the solution won't wash off even in heavy rain. Potatoes are a favorite food not only for the Colorado potato beetle, but also for a number of other pests. To prevent wireworms in the planting hole, spray not only the planting material but also the soil around it.

Preparation of working solution

The recipe for the working solution depends on the method used to treat the potatoes. Before planting, the tubers are sprayed with the following mixture:

1. 8 milliliters of suspension are diluted in a glass of water.
2. The mixture is poured into a liter jar.
3. Fill the container with water.

This amount is enough to carry out the planting treatment of 100 kilograms of potatoes.

To treat for the Colorado potato beetle during planting, the poison is diluted as follows:

1. Add 4 milliliters of poison to 1 liter of water.
2. The resulting concentrate is poured into a bucket and another 9 liters of water are added.
3. The consumption for processing the planting hole together with the tubers is 30-35 milliliters.

To treat 100 square meters of garden bed, you'll need 10 liters of the mixture. The volume may vary depending on the sprayer and weather conditions.

Use of the drug

The insecticide Tabu is designed for spraying tubers before planting. It should not be sprayed on potato tops. Potato treatment methods differ only in the concentration of the mixture used for spraying.

Pre-planting treatment, according to the instructions, is carried out as follows:

1. The planting material is laid out in one layer on a film laid on a flat area.
2. The diluted concentrate is poured into a spray bottle.
3. The suspension is sprayed alternately on one side and the other of the tubers, so that there are no gaps.
4. Allow the potatoes to dry and plant immediately. Please note: do not delay planting until another day, as this will render the treatment ineffective.

During the process of planting potatoes, the treatment is carried out as follows:

1. The planting material placed in the furrows is generously sprayed with a diluted suspension of the appropriate concentration. The working solution should be shaken occasionally during treatment.
2. The potatoes are covered with soil.

This method guarantees the preservation of the crop for 60 days. Tabu is not harmful to pollinating insects.

Using a seed dressing to protect cut tubers from the Colorado potato beetle is prohibited. After treating potatoes with Tabu, there is no need to apply any superficial treatment to the plants.

Safety precautions

Taboo VSK belongs to the 3rd toxicity group, meaning that the liquid is very dangerous for the human body in its pure form.

The use of insecticide will be safe if:

• to prepare the poison, use technical containers, not food containers;
• carry out treatment in a protective suit, rubber gloves and a respirator;
• During the work, refrain from using tobacco products, eating food, and drinking beverages;
• Spray the working solution in a separate area of ​​the site where there are no children or pets nearby;
• After treatment, take a shower with soap and rinse your mouth several times.

Health risks and signs of poisoning

All chemical insecticides are potentially hazardous to human health. Gardeners treating potatoes for the first time can be poisoned due to inexperience and carelessness. This condition is usually caused by a lack of protective clothing or protective elements, as well as smoking.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following conditions:

• dizziness;
• nausea;
• impaired coordination.

How long does it take for the potato to be affected and what is the protection period?

Tabu's effectiveness lasts for 45 days. This covers most of the growing season, so there's no need for repeat treatments. Even if pests become active, they won't cause significant damage to the crop or reduce the yield.

Compatibility with potato varieties and products

Tabu can be used on all potato varieties, except those that mature earlier than the product's effective lifespan. These include all early-ripening varieties. Despite its different uses, the concentrate can be mixed with certain fungicides. These include Vitaros, TMTD VSK, Bunker, and Vial Trust.

When preparing a solution for treating vegetable crops, the mixture is stirred until smooth, adding the necessary preparations one by one.

Which is better: Prestige or Taboo

Experienced gardeners have been successfully using Prestige insecticide for years to kill Colorado potato beetles. What's the difference between these products?

1. Prestige protects potatoes from pests for 37 days, and Tabu for 45.
2. Unlike Prestige, Taboo can be used for soil cultivation.
3. Prestige combines an insecticide and a fungicide, while Tabu does not have these properties.
4. Prestige activates potato development.

Reviews of the drug

Taras, 53 years old, Krasnodar.

"I've always used chemicals to treat the bushes superficially. Two years ago, a friend recommended Tabu. I tried it and didn't regret it! Now I don't have to run around with a sprayer two or three times a season. To avoid addiction, I'll be looking for alternatives next year."

Nikolay, 57 years old, Moscow region.

"I've been growing potatoes at my dacha for five years now. Because the work is time-consuming, it's not always possible to spray the crop immediately after Colorado potato beetles appear. This has been affecting the yield. Last year, the seller recommended using the insecticide Tabu. Now the pests die immediately after they've had a bite of my potatoes. They still manage to get a small snack at the end of the season, but it doesn't affect the yield."

Inga, 49 years old, Kazan.

"We moved to our dacha three years ago and immediately started growing vegetables. Potatoes were the biggest problem, as Colorado beetles were eating the young sprouts. Foliar sprays were ineffective. It's a good thing a neighbor recommended Tabu. Now we spray the tubers before planting and don't worry about the harvest."