How do potato beetles enter a garden? If I pick them off by hand, what do I put them in to kill them?

Question

Does the larva or pupa come with the potatos or is it in the soil? How can it be prevented next year?

Answer 1

I'm guessing that you're talking about the Jerusalem cricket, also known s a potato bug. (not a beetle) They do little damage occasionally munching on potato roots but their main diet is other crawly things. (good for your garden) Control is easy. If you see them scoop them up and put them in the trash. No chemicals needed.

Answer 2

Drop them into a bowl of water with dish detergent in in. Either spray the soil like someone said or plant in another area.

Answer 3

This is going to date me because this was before the age of chemical pesticides :)

When we were kids we were given the chore to pick potato bugs armed with a tin can of kerosene.

Answer 4

Step on them........next year put chemicals in the soil.....layer it in.......don't just drop it on the seed(layer it in) then power the ground above....keep it a little damp so it doesn't blow onto lettuce leaves or cabbage.    enjoy