3 Potato Pests and Diseases You Should Watch Out For

Carbohydrates, Potassium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6 are amount the top nutrients found in potatoes. Research showed that every American ate 48.3 pounds of potatoes in 2015. Besides that, America is also one of the top 10 producers of potatoes in the world. If you own a potato farm in Quincy, MA, you know that pest control is one of the things you’ll have to deal with to keep your crops healthy. Learn about the three types of pests that you must keep your eyes on.

The Giant African Land Snail

With big, brown, cone-shaped shells that have dark streaks, this snail is bigger the native American snail. Among the land snail species, the Giant African land snails are considered the most dangerous, as they can carry rat parasites that pose a risk to human health. These snails would eat the outer layer of your potato crops and may leave mucus that contains the pathogen.

Bacterial Wilt

The bacteria that cause this condition likes solanaceous crops, such as carrots, eggplants, and potatoes. You may notice the leaves of a potato plant wilting at night and recovering during the day. This doesn’t mean the crop won’t die. If not treated, the bacteria will eat through the whole plant and eventually cause it to die. It also causes dark stains on the potato’s vascular ring and oozing from the potato eyes.

Potato Wart

Symptoms of this condition are only visible on the potato itself. The may be as small as a pea or covering the whole tuber. These warts are white underground, but they turn green when exposed to light and eventually turn darker over time. These pests and diseases can affect the health of your crops and result in reduced income for your farm. Contact your local pest control service professionals to determine if you have these problems and learn how to prevent them from destroying your crops.