Soil pests can cause serious damage before the problem becomes visible above ground. Grubs, vine weevils, wireworms and mole crickets feed in the root zone, weakening plants from the base. This is especially dangerous in strawberries, fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and berry crops.
After rainfall, soil moisture improves and temperatures gradually rise. This is a good moment to focus on biological crop support and reducing the pressure of pests feeding in the soil.
Why are soil pests so dangerous?
The main problem is that damage starts underground. At first, the plant may still look healthy, but its root system may already be weakened or damaged.
In practice, growers may notice:
- slower plant growth,
- wilting despite moist soil,
- irregular plant losses in patches,
- weaker uptake of water and nutrients,
- poorer regeneration after stress,
- visible root damage after digging up the plant.
In strawberries, vegetables and young orchard plantings, even partial root damage can strongly limit plant development. The longer soil pests feed in the root zone, the harder it becomes to rebuild crop condition.
Grubs, vine weevils, wireworms and mole crickets — when does the risk increase?
The risk of damage increases when the soil is moist and temperatures support biological activity in the soil. After rain, pests may become more active in the root zone, which makes it a good time to inspect the crop.
Pay special attention to areas where plants grow unevenly, die off in patches or respond poorly to fertilisation and irrigation. These symptoms often indicate that the problem is not above ground, but in the root system.
VitaFer BioPATROL as biological soil support
VitaFer BioPATROL is designed to support crops under the pressure of soil pests. It can be used in agricultural, orchard, berry, vegetable and herb crops.
The product is based on 4 strains of entomopathogenic fungi. Their role is to support natural mechanisms that help reduce the pressure of pests feeding in the soil. Thanks to this, VitaFer BioPATROL can be an element of a biological crop protection strategy, especially in fields or plantations where grubs, vine weevils, wireworms or mole crickets appeared in previous seasons.
When to apply VitaFer BioPATROL?
A good time for application is after rainfall, when the soil is moist. Moisture supports even distribution of the product in the root zone and creates better conditions for microorganisms to work.
Application is worth considering especially when:
- damage caused by soil pests appeared in previous seasons,
- plants show patchy weakening,
- soil moisture is sufficient after rainfall,
- the risk of frost has passed,
- temperatures begin to support soil biological activity.
How to use VitaFer BioPATROL?
VitaFer BioPATROL can be applied as a soil spray.
Recommended dose:
2–3 kg/ha + 300–500 l of water
The aim of the treatment is to reach the zone where pests feed and roots develop. For this reason, proper soil moisture and an adequate water volume are important during application.
Biological support against soil pests
Biological soil support works best as part of a broader crop management strategy. Regular monitoring, assessment of root condition and timely reaction to favourable application conditions are essential.
Soil pests can remain unnoticed for a long time, so it is better not to wait until symptoms appear across the whole plantation. After rainfall and with rising temperatures, it is worth checking root condition and planning actions that support the crop from the soil level.
Check VitaFer BioPATROL and choose biological support suited to the needs of your crop.
