The drug Commander is an affordable and effective way to combat harmful insects and small rodents that can destroy a potato crop in the shortest possible time.
General characteristics of the drug
The commander is a contact-intestinal insecticide, its maximum effectiveness is manifested in the fight against:
- Colorado potato beetle;
- wireworm;
- aphids;
- bedbugs;
- leaf beetles;
- guards;
- locusts;
- thrips;
- spider mites;
- whiteflies;
- weevils;
- butterflies;
- Bears
- and even small rodents.
The commander is capable of destroying not only mature individuals, but also larvae deposited by pests, which is a very significant advantage (not every remedy can boast of this).
The active substance of the drug is an extremely strong organic poison called "imidacloprid." Its concentration is estimated at 200 g per 1 liter.
According to the instructions, this tool is not phytotoxic for vegetable crops, that is, it does not adversely affect the structure of plants, if the recommended dosage is observed. It has a 3 hazard class and a 2 class for maintaining stability in the ground.
This insecticide is in the form of a water-soluble concentrate packaged in 4-, 10-, 20- and 100-mm packages (also sold in 1- and 5-liter containers for processing a significant area size). The drug Commander successfully maintains its effectiveness against these pests at various temperature conditions.
Due to the fact that it is water-soluble, it is necessary to carry out additional processing after precipitation (the entire preparation is washed off even with little rain).
Commander Composition
In this preparation, there is only one active substance - imidacloprid. It is often used in a mixture with other chemical components that are involved in the sanitary processing and disinsection of potatoes (and not only). Suitable for use both in agriculture and in everyday life. The release form is designated as a water-soluble concentrate.
Imidacloprid is a synthetic neonicotinoid. In other words, it is an analogue of tobacco-based drugs. Its effectiveness does not depend on the ambient temperature.
Means Komandor can deteriorate at certain temperatures, however, in the conditions of growing various crops, it is impossible to reach the melting point of this drug - 136 degrees. The only requirement is a temperature of at least -5 degrees, because under such conditions imidacloprid will begin to lose its beneficial properties.
The principle of the Commander
After applying the drug to plants (by spraying or watering), it is absorbed very quickly into leaves, stems and roots. Further, the small business: after contact with the treated plant in any of the ways, whether by eating or by ordinary touch, the insects receive a dose of the active substance.
After that, the Commander acts on the body:
- the substance imidacloprid binds to postsynaptic receptors of the insect nervous system (nicotinic acetylcholine);
- the result is convulsions, paralysis and the final death of pests.
To keep the potato fruits harmless, you need to wait about 20 days before eating them. The drug acts completely on potato plants, and the effectiveness remains for 28 days. After a while, the drug loses its properties due to the internal processes of plants and the withdrawal of negative / unnecessary substances (including the Commander himself). Potato plants will not suffer in any way from the agent in question, if the recommended norms and dosages are observed.
The maximum effect of the drug on pests is achieved 3-5 days after treatment. The likelihood of insect resistance to the drug is completely excluded.
The drug Commander penetrates the juice of potato plants, as a result of which it spreads in all parts: from the roots to the tops of the shoots. Biologists note the adverse effect of imidacloprid on microorganisms in the soil, inside which the remains of the substance can last up to 1 year (half-life takes about 185 days).
Pets during direct contact can get severe poisoning, resulting in damage to the liver and nervous system:
- uncertain movements;
- respiratory system disorders;
- severe diarrhea;
- vomiting
If contact with the substance is constant, but in quantities that are not enough for acute poisoning, the animals notice a decrease in body weight and impaired appetite.
Critically dangerous Commander for children. Imidacloprid damages the developing nervous system, affects neurons and the structure of the brain. Because of this, the ability to learn is reduced in children and memory is noticeably impaired.
The active substance of the Commander entails the mass death of bees, so its use near apiaries is strictly prohibited. For the same reason, potatoes should not be processed during the flowering period.
How to use?
To obtain the maximum effectiveness of the Commander and successfully protect potatoes from pests, it is recommended to process plants in dry and calm weather. It is also important to analyze weather forecasts so that there is no precipitation in the next 4-5 days.
It is important to remember that the weather forecast does not guarantee 100% accuracy, so you should be responsible for choosing the time for processing potatoes.
Observance of these conditions will allow the toxic substance of the drug to better absorb into plant cells. On the day the crop is sprayed with a chemical, there is no need to water the bushes. Water will wash away some of the drug, and therefore its effectiveness will decrease.
Training staff
The spray liquid must be prepared according to the following formula: for 10 l of water - 2 ml of Commander. It is most correct to pre-dissolve the mentioned amount of the drug in 1 liter of water, mixing the contents as thoroughly as possible until the suspension. Then the volume is brought to the declared 10 liters by slowly adding the remaining water. During the entire process, the fluid must be continuously mixed. This will improve the properties of the Commander.
It is permissible not only to spray potatoes, but also to water it with this solution. However, a certain decrease in efficiency was noted in this way, i.e., it takes time for the Commander to be absorbed into the roots, get into the juice of the plant, and only then be distributed in all parts.
Processing process
Processed potatoes with a spray or watering can (when spraying and watering, respectively). There are two ways to do this:
- When foliage and stalks of potatoes are sprayed, according to the instructions, the Commander should be sprayed so that the foliage is moistened as evenly as possible. Also, during spraying, it is recommended to use a freshly prepared product.
If the drug is used for irrigation, then additional action is not required. - You can also process potato planting stock. To do this, the tubers are placed in a row before direct planting and very carefully processed by the Commander. After complete drying, tubers can be planted in the soil.
Safety regulations
The insecticidal drug Commander has a certain toxicity, which is why you should be careful with it. However, subject to key safety requirements, its use will not cause dangerous situations:
- The duration of work with the drug should not exceed 3 hours.
- The use of personal protective equipment (a special protective suit, waterproof gloves, a respirator, etc.) is considered mandatory.
- After treatment, at least 20 days should pass. Only after this time the tubers will completely get rid of the toxic substances of the Commander, and the potatoes can be eaten.
- During the processing of potatoes (especially when sprayed) it is strictly forbidden to eat food or drink. Vapors of toxic substances instantly settle on products, and at a fairly considerable distance, so you should refuse to eat.
Going to the meal is allowed only after removing all clothing and a shower (not a bath).
- Smoking during potato processing is strictly prohibited. It is better to endure and smoke later than to do it on the spot and get poisoning with toxic fumes. They get through a cigarette, not through an open mouth, so smoking in a mask is still a bad idea.
- In the presence of a small wind, it is necessary to become in its direction (when spraying the Commander). If you stand against the wind, then the potatoes are poorly processed due to blowing off particles of the product. And they will be blown away just in the face, causing severe poisoning. Of course, in windy weather in general, it is recommended to completely abandon the treatment of plants.
- All pets should be removed from the cultivated area and not allowed to enter there within 24 hours (at least).
- Do not follow the tips for using this tool found elsewhere. It is necessary to carefully study the instructions that come with the purchased Commander drug. Only she will reliably talk about how to behave properly with an existing insecticide.
In case of poisoning or direct contact with the drug, the following actions must be taken:
- remove all protective equipment;
- gently and slowly wipe the affected area with a cotton or gauze sponge (you should just wipe the product, and not rub it);
- rinse affected areas of the body with warm water for at least 10 minutes;
- in the end, these same skin areas are washed with soap and water.
If a suspension (or any other form of the drug) gets on the mucous membranes (nose, eyes, etc.), it is important to rinse them thoroughly with water, according to the above instructions, and be sure to visit a doctor.
Pros and cons
Like any other pest treatment product, the Commander has certain pros and cons.
IN advantages you can safely add:
- the availability of funds, that is, you can buy it in almost every specialized store at a reasonable price;
- lack of need for frequent treatments due to the long duration of the effect of the drug;
- comprehensive protection not only against the Colorado potato beetle, but also a huge number of other pests;
- resistance to weather conditions: the same efficiency both in heat and in heavy rains (if the drug has time to absorb into the plants, then it will not be washed off by the rain);
- possibility of application in areas with any climate;
- zero resistance of pests - insects have not yet developed immunity to this remedy, because of which the next couple of years it will be an ideal insecticide, especially for potatoes.
In addition to the advantages, the drug also has limitations. However, they are not associated with the weak effectiveness of the Commander as a whole, but are directly related to the improper use of the tool:
- neglect of the processing process can cause harm to health (including children or animals);
- the drug adversely affects a huge number of insects, even beneficial ones, and for this reason it will cause the death of even bees, which are organic pollinators of plants.
As you can see, this insecticide has no direct minuses. By carefully reading the instructions and observing all the specified conditions, rules and precautions, he will perfectly cope with all the pests on the site and maintain the integrity of the plants.
Compatibility and analogues
The drug Commander is allowed to be used with other means, if the latter do not give an alkaline reaction. If this happens, potato plants will receive irreparable harm and deteriorate.
The best Commander to combine with such drugs:
- Ribav Extra;
- Zircon;
- Epin.
These funds contribute to the growth and development of potatoes, increase productivity, and are also insecticides and fungicides.
As for the analogues, you can replace the Commander with the following means:
- Confidor Extra;
- Proticolorado;
- Bombardier Aqua.
When combining these funds there will be no adverse reactions, and the plants will get an exceptionally good result.
Storage rules and expiration date
If you keep the funds in the wrong conditions, then their effectiveness will significantly decrease. As for the Commander, he is kept in a dry place, always inaccessible to children and pets. The room temperature should be from -5 to +30 degrees.
It is forbidden to store the insecticide near food, medicine and animal feed. Including next to towels, linen and / or any other things that a person comes into contact with on an ongoing basis.
The commander in undiluted form can be stored for up to 36 months (such is its official expiration date). But in any case, it should be studied when a specifically purchased preparation was made. If some time ago, its shelf life is significantly reduced.
Keep means Commander need to be away from fire, otherwise it will deteriorate.
Purchase and price
You can buy Komandor insecticide literally in each of the specialized stores. It is also available for purchase in a wide range of diverse Internet sites.
Most often, this drug can be bought at a price of 36 dollars per 1 liter (about 2,200 rubles). But 10 ml of the drug is quite realistic to buy at a price not exceeding 50 rubles. If you plan to process a small garden plot or garden, then even 5 ml will be more than enough for 1 season.
Reviews
Natalia, 29 years old. For a long time I use only the Commander. He managed to prove his effectiveness in practice, together with the efficiency of use. All my friends buy it and no one has been disappointed.
Sergey, 33 years old. On the morning of the next day, absolutely all old bugs were killed, and young - 70%. After 5 days, there were both old and young living beetles, but with tubers the order was complete. For the sake of experiment I’ll try to increase the concentration, but I’m generally satisfied with the drug. Work should be done in a respirator, otherwise, at a dosage of 5 ml per bucket, an aftertaste in the mouth is felt and a little nauseous.
Hide
Add your review
The commander perfectly fights with a variety of pests, subject to the recommended dosages. Many gardeners note its effectiveness, due to which it is possible to maintain a large number of potato tubers. But the main thing is not only the correct proportions of the drug, but also the correct, safe use of it during processing.