{"id":6114,"date":"2024-12-13T16:49:08","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T20:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/?p=6114"},"modified":"2026-02-10T10:17:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T14:17:03","slug":"beating-beetles-better-mechanically-controlling-colorado-potato-beetle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/2024\/12\/13\/beating-beetles-better-mechanically-controlling-colorado-potato-beetle\/","title":{"rendered":"Beating Beetles Better: Mechanically Controlling Colorado Potato Beetle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Controlling Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) organically <a href=\"https:\/\/ecommons.cornell.edu\/server\/api\/core\/bitstreams\/0d0ae1e5-7e99-4473-9123-92cdb0c7a298\/content#page=70\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">can be challenging<\/a> as the bugs have developed resistance to the many pesticide options available on the market. Lack of control has persuaded some farms to stop growing potatoes altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This bug has been a challenge for centuries. As seen in the Prince Edward Island (PEI) historical museum, this<a href=\"https:\/\/artefactspei.weebly.com\/pei-potato-bug-picker.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> antique device<\/a> from the 1890&#8217;s was human powered and used physical force to knock the bugs off the plants. This machine was called the<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/h_POeiOYoIQ?si=wAjv_0KFRyuhash8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Hunter Bug Picker.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/09\/3385542_orig.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"558\" height=\"234\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/09\/3385542_orig.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/09\/3385542_orig.jpg 558w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/09\/3385542_orig-300x126.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 558px) 100vw, 558px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fundamental Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The basic approach to developing a better beetle beater includes the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rolling structure &#8211; Square stock toolbar with 3pt hitch mounted to a tractor, human-powered lightweight frame, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rotational power &#8211; Electric or hydraulic motors on tractor mount systems, ground driven with transmission for human-powered.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Beater Paddles &#8211; Broom ends or \u201cstrip brush\u201d segments like those used as large truck or RV \u201crock guards\u201d or vinyl strip door material like those used in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uline.com\/BL_3870\/Vinyl-Strip-Door-Kits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">coolers<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collection &#8211; Chutes, \u201choods\u201d or funnels, made of steel or plastic to direct beat beetles to a collection tub, bin, or tarp for disposal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Optional: Connect to a PTO-powered vacuum (e.g., vacuum planter fan) with a collection container to capture the bugs out of the collection pan or funnel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Examples<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Modern Walk Behind Device:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Recent variations of this approach have been attempted, including <a href=\"https:\/\/interestingengineering.com\/innovation\/man-creates-device-to-sweep-colorado-beetles-off-of-his-crop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this device<\/a>. It is homebuilt with some bicycle parts and a broom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/12\/Bug-beater.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/12\/Bug-beater-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6169\" style=\"width:614px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/12\/Bug-beater-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/12\/Bug-beater-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/12\/Bug-beater-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/12\/Bug-beater-1536x805.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/12\/Bug-beater-1568x821.jpg 1568w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/12\/Bug-beater.jpg 1798w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/agroforum.hu\/szakcikkek\/gepeszet\/burgonyabogar-gyujto-gep\/\">Large Scale Models<\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/agroforum.hu\/szakcikkek\/gepeszet\/burgonyabogar-gyujto-gep\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Equipment manufactures<\/a> are starting to experiment with manufacturing a machine to complete this task, both as a front or rear mounted implement.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/09\/burgonya-bogar.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"518\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/09\/burgonya-bogar.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/09\/burgonya-bogar.jpg 780w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/09\/burgonya-bogar-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/09\/burgonya-bogar-768x510.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/YHStVDJGA78?si=owk9egZaq9kUw1Nf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See this in action<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Juniper Hill Farm &#8211; Adam Hainer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Adam Hainer of Juniper Hill Farm in Wadhams, NY took matters into his own hands to construct a machine. An overview of the parts used are listed below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hydraulic Motor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ordered from: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onehydraulics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.onehydraulics.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Item: BMPH-50-H2-K-P<br \/>Specs:&nbsp;<br \/>Dynamic LSHT Motor <br \/>51.7cc <br \/>1150RPM<br \/>885in-lb, 2031psi Differential <br \/>15.85GPM<br \/>SAE A 2-Bolt Mount<br \/>1&#8243; Bore x 1\/4&#8243; Key Shaft<br \/>Side Ported<br \/>1\/2&#8243; NPT \u00d7 6&nbsp;<br \/>$1090.75<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Flow Divider&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Item #FD50-45-6T-N-44 Hydraulic Pump Flow Divider \/ Combiner, 50:50, 2.5-10 GPM (3) <br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/summit-hydraulics.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Summit-Hydraulics.com<\/a><br \/>Adam notes that the speed control is needed as he needed the paddles to move faster to increase ground speed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Beetle Beater at Juniper Hill Farm\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/x495g6CjN_0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deep Meadow Farm &#8211; Jon Cohen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In this video, Jon explains how he built his version of a beetle beater after trying every other treatment he knew of with no luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electric Motor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>12 VDC<br \/>60 Watts (5 Amps)<br \/>100 RPM (also available in<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Makermotor-Shaft-Reversible-Electric-Motor\/dp\/B01N8YDOC9\/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Makermotor&amp;qid=1656633981&amp;sr=8-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> 50 RPM<\/a>) <br \/>2.3 ft-lbs of torque <br \/>$<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Makermotor-Shaft-Reversible-Electric-Motor\/dp\/B0765KZ3TJ\/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=gear+motor&amp;qid=1656633034&amp;s=hi&amp;sr=1-11\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">80<\/a>, sourced from Amazon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Variable Speed Controller<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>7-70V PWM DC Motor Speed Controller Switch 30A\u00a0<br \/>Cost: $15 from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B071NQ5G71\/ref=syn_sd_onsite_desktop_424?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;pd_rd_plhdr=t\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What new tool, equipment or device are you excited about this year? | Winter 2024 Webinar\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UNRmwD0gP88?start=35&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Methods Practiced from Vermont Vegetable &amp; Berry Growers<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hand picking bugs works on the small scale. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Late planting (after July 1st,  harvesting first week of October)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bioplastic mulch and row cover<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protect net or row cover after planting until hilling, sometimes reapplying it for longer protection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Knocking off, followed by flaming, <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Share this Post<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/go.uvm.edu\/cpbbeater\">go.uvm.edu\/cpbbeater<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>2016 Organic Production and IPM Guide for Potatoes. Cornell University. <a href=\"https:\/\/ecommons.cornell.edu\/server\/api\/core\/bitstreams\/0d0ae1e5-7e99-4473-9123-92cdb0c7a298\/content#page=70\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/ecommons.cornell.edu\/server\/api\/core\/bitstreams\/0d0ae1e5-7e99-4473-9123-92cdb0c7a298\/content<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/artefactspei.weebly.com\/pei-potato-bug-picker.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PEI Potato Bug Picker &#8211; Artefacts of Prince Edward Island Community Museums<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/h_POeiOYoIQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mechanical Potato Bug Picker &#8211; Canada Agriculture and Food Museum<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/interestingengineering.com\/man-creates-device-to-sweep-colorado-beetles-off-of-his-crop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Man Creates Device to Sweep Colorado Beetles Off of His Crop<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/WehrdF8w3cw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The guy didn&#8217;t like collecting handmade Colorado potato beetle, he invented this tweak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/potatoworld.eu\/news\/new-machine-for-sustainable-pest-control-in-potatoes-the-colorado-beetle-catcher\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New machine for sustainable pest control in potatoes: the Colorado Beetle Catcher &#8211; PotatoWorld Magazine<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurefarming.com\/crop-solutions\/weed-pest-control\/machine-catches-colorado-potato-beetles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Machine catches Colorado potato beetles &#8211; Future Farming<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/scialert.net\/fulltext\/?doi=jas.2006.919.925\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/scialert.net\/fulltext\/?doi=jas.2006.919.925<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.semanticscholar.org\/paper\/Thermal-initiation-of-thanatosis-to-improve-the-of-Couturier-Hicks\/1bb98c58ca8997790f120024c490b320f723028a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.semanticscholar.org\/paper\/Thermal-initiation-of-thanatosis-to-improve-the-of-Couturier-Hicks\/1bb98c58ca8997790f120024c490b320f723028a<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Controlling Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) organically can be challenging as the bugs have developed resistance to the many pesticide options available on the market. Lack of control has persuaded some farms to stop growing potatoes altogether. This bug has been a challenge for centuries. As seen in the Prince Edward Island (PEI) historical museum, this &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/2024\/12\/13\/beating-beetles-better-mechanically-controlling-colorado-potato-beetle\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Beating Beetles Better: Mechanically Controlling Colorado Potato Beetle&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4505,"featured_media":6121,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6522],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-equipment","entry"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/09\/IMG_3451-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/files\/2024\/09\/IMG_3451-600x600.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Andy","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/author\/achambe4\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6114","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4505"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6114"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6114\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6294,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6114\/revisions\/6294"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cwcallah\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}