Wondering how to get rid of potato bugs on plants naturally? After years of trial and error on my northern Michigan homestead, I’ve found that daily hand-picking is the most effective way to control potato bugs—no sprays or chemicals needed.
In this post, I’ll show you exactly how I do it, plus share companion planting tips and natural strategies to keep beetles away all season.
What Are Potato Bugs?
Potato bugs are actually Colorado potato beetles. These striped beetles lay bright orange eggs in clusters on the underside of potato leaves. Once they hatch, the larvae rapidly chew through foliage and can destroy your crop fast if you don’t act quickly.
Thankfully, these beetles are slow and easy to catch. They don’t fly and tend to cling to the same plants, making them ideal targets for natural pest control.
How to Spot Potato Bug Eggs
- Bright orange
- Laid in neat clusters
- Always on the underside of leaves
Even healthy-looking plants can hide eggs. Check young plants, especially—they’re the beetles’ favorite.
How to Spot Potato Bug Larvae
Potato bug larvae don’t look like the adult beetles, but they’re just as destructive—and often go unnoticed until they’ve already started chewing through leaves.
Here’s what to look for:
- Plump, soft-bodied grubs
- Red to orange in color with black dots or spots along their sides
- Often huddled in groups, feeding in clusters
If you see freshly hatched larvae, check the entire plant. There are almost always more nearby.
My #1 Method: Hand-Picking (Step-by-Step)
I’ve tried neem oil, diatomaceous earth, and a few natural sprays. But honestly? Nothing beats hands-on removal. It’s simple, cheap, and works better than anything else I’ve tested.
Here’s exactly what I do each morning during potato season:
- Carry a wide-mouth jar filled with water (add a few drops of dish soap if you’re not feeding the bugs to chickens).
- Walk each potato row, plant by plant.
- Flip over the leaves to check for bright orange egg clusters.
- Break off the part of the leaf with eggs—it’s faster than scraping them.
- Drop adult beetles, larvae, and egg-covered leaves into the jar as you go.
What to Do With the Bugs
When I’m done, I give the whole jar—bugs, larvae, leaves, and all—to my chickens.
They absolutely love them, and it’s a satisfying way to turn pests into free protein for the flock.
No chickens? No problem.
Just add a squirt of dish soap to your water. It breaks the surface tension so the bugs don’t crawl out.checks and hands-on removal keep my potato plants healthy and the bugs at bay.
How to Keep Potato Bugs Away (Long-Term)
Hand-picking works best, but here are a few natural strategies that support your efforts and help prevent infestations:
1. Break Up Your Potato Rows
Potato bugs thrive when you plant row after row of potatoes. They love nightshades, such as potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant.
To disrupt them:
- Avoid planting in solid blocks
- Interplant with beans, peas, and other crops that confuse pests and improve soil health
2. Use Companion Plants That Repel or Distract
Mixing in these plants can deter beetles, mask potato scent, or attract helpful insects:
- Marigolds – Repel beetles and aphids
- Nasturtiums – Trap crop that draws pests away
- Horseradish – Great bed border repellent
- Onions & Garlic – Confuse beetles with scent
- Mint – Deters aphids and flea beetles (plant in containers)
- Catnip & Tansy – Repel multiple pests (use tansy with caution)
- Cilantro, Dill, Fennel, Yarrow, Alyssum – Attract ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, and even stink bugs that feed on beetle eggs
Download my free Companion Planting Chart to see what grows well together.
Check out my Beginner’s Guide to Companion Planting to learn more.
3. Rotate Your Potato Patch
Potato bugs hide beneath the soil during winter and become active again as soon as spring arrives, so if you plant in the same spot every year, you’re inviting them back.
To break the cycle, move your potatoes to a new bed every 1–2 years.
These three strategies, combined with hand-picking, will drastically reduce your pest pressure year after year. Think of it as a natural pest barrier that works quietly while you focus on the daily check routine.
FAQ: Potato Bug Control
What attracts potato bugs to my garden?
Colorado potato beetles are attracted to nightshade plants, including potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. Young leaves are especially vulnerable.
Will vinegar kill potato bugs?
No. Vinegar may irritate soft-bodied pests, but Colorado potato beetles are tough. Hand-picking is far more effective.
Where do potato bugs live?
Potato bugs go dormant in the soil over winter, then emerge in spring to begin their life cycle again. You’ll find them near the base of plants and under leaves.
Do neem oil or sprays work?
In my experience, not well. Natural sprays may help slightly, but nothing compares to manual removal.
Do potato bugs come back every year?
Yes. They return each spring unless you rotate your crops and stay consistent with control.
Can I compost leaves with potato bug eggs?
I wouldn’t. Compost may not get hot enough to kill the eggs. I give the leaves to my chickens or you can toss them safely after drowning in soapy water.
Final Thoughts
Getting rid of potato bugs naturally doesn’t require fancy products or toxic sprays. All it takes is a sharp eye, consistent effort, and a few strategic planting choices.
Slow and seasonal living means staying connected to your plants and catching issues early. And when it comes to potato bugs? Consider them handled.
