Banish Bothersome Lerps from Your Alfalfa – Here’s How

As an alfalfa farmer, you know one tiny pest can spell disaster for your crop. I’m talking about lerps – those sneaky insects that latch onto alfalfa leaves and stunt plant growth. Just a small lerp infestation can slash yields and profits.

So how do you get rid of these pesky lerps for good? Don’t let them take over your alfalfa – fight back with proven tactics. I’ll walk you through smart steps to kick lerps to the curb and protect your plants.

Know Your Enemy: Identifying Lerps

You can’t fight what you can’t see. To control lerps, start by identifying them properly These members of the Psyllidae family are tiny insects about 1-4 mm long.

Lerps pierce alfalfa leaves to feed on sap, leaving yellow spots or distorted growth behind. They produce white or clear casings called “lerps” that cover and shield their bodies.

Check the undersides of leaves for lerps stuck on and lerps coverings which resemble waxy droplets. Damage like cupping curling and stunted leaves signals their presence too. A hand lens helps spot them on plants.

Left uncontrolled, lerps multiply rapidly as females can produce up to 500 eggs High populations cause extensive leaf yellowing and plant stress Don’t let numbers explode – act at the first signs.

Remove Infested Plant Parts

Start lerp management by pruning away heavily infested leaves and stems. This instantly eliminates large numbers to curb further spread.

Inspect plants closely and use clean, sterilized pruners to cut off branches or whole plants riddled with lerps. Remove debris from the field and destroy it.

For lighter infestations, rub or pick off individual lerps from leaves to squash them. This mechanical control limits damage and prevents larvae from maturing.

Apply Horticultural Oils

Horticultural oils smother and suffocate lerps on contact while being gentle on plants and beneficials. These oils disrupt lerp breathing and development so they die quickly.

Use lightweight summer oils which spread readily over leaves and won’t burn plants. Coat undersides of leaves thoroughly as lerps tend to hide there.

Repeat applications are likely needed as oils only kill lerps present at the time and don’t have residual effects. For heavy infestations, spray weekly.

Blast with High Pressure Water

Don’t let lerps lurk – blast them off plants with high pressure water sprays. This quick fix dislodges lerps and washes them away without chemicals.

Focus jets under leaves and into crevices where lerps hide. Soaking plants also removes lerp coverings left behind. Repeat as needed but avoid plant damage.

Combine water sprays with insecticidal soap for added punch. The soap penetrates and kills lerps while washing residuals away for a one-two punch.

Unleash Natural Predators

Why use chemicals when nature can destroy lerps for free? Beneficial insects devour lerps and keep infestations down naturally.

Lacewings, ladybugs, minute pirate bugs, big eyed bugs and more feed heavily on lerps. Avoid broad spectrum insecticides so these “good bugs” thrive.

Purchase live predators from suppliers and release them onto plants. Or plant nectar-rich flowers to attract beneficials to your field. Let them feast on lerps!

Apply Selective Insecticides

For heavy lerp infestations, insecticide sprays may be warranted. But use selective chemicals sparingly to conserve other bugs and pollinators.

Insecticidal soaps and oils are gentler options that zap lerps without widespread effects. Systemics like imidacloprid taken up by plants also work well.

Spot treat only infested areas versus field-wide sprays. Follow label directions carefully for dosage, timing and pre-harvest intervals. Rotate chemical classes to avoid resistance.

Stop Lerps Before They Start

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to lerps. Stop them before populations erupt with smart approaches:

• Maintain general plant health with proper fertility, irrigation and weed control

• Avoid excess nitrogen which causes tender, susceptible growth

• Plant lerp-resistant alfalfa varieties if available

• Use crop rotation to prevent carryover in soil

• Remove weeds and volunteer alfalfa that harbor lerps

With vigilance and integrated tactics, you can manage lerps successfully. Check alfalfa frequently and implement control measures at the first sign of infestation before lerps get out of hand. Don’t give up – with perseverance you can rid your alfalfa of these pests for good and reap healthy, bountiful harvests.