Caring for plants in the house, working on a personal plot for lovers of the green world is not easy work, but not without pleasure. Especially when you see the results of your work. It's a shame when the plant suddenly begins to turn yellow, covered with nasty dots, or even completely fades. A thin web appears at the top or along the entire height. We sympathize - you got a spider mite. Look for an effective remedy for spider mites, and immediately, otherwise the crop will be lost! In room conditions, mites are very active and quickly move from leaf to leaf, from one plant to another. Delay in action threatens to infect all the plants in the apartment.
Meet the spider mite
A small bug, ranging in size from 0.3 to 0.5 mm, is almost impossible to see with the naked eye, and even more so its eggs. Rather, the damage caused by it is immediately visible. The spider mite, despite the name, is not related to the category of mites. It's not an insect, it's an arachnid. This information is important to determine the effective remedy for spider mites.
Insects vary in color from green tobrownish-brown or red in winter. The body is rounded and covered with bristles. Spider mites hide on the underside of plants, and it is difficult to notice them because of their tiny size. They begin to look for a remedy for spider mites when the leaves are already covered with brown or white dots. It is very difficult to practically destroy this pest completely and forever. Ticks have greater vitality and, when adverse conditions occur, they cease to spoil the plant, but do not die. They can endure long periods of starvation by hibernating in anticipation of better times.
Optimal living conditions
Unique adaptability to habitat and weather conditions allows the spider mite to live throughout the globe, except for Antarctica. Optimal conditions: temperature 20 - 30 degrees Celsius, air humidity - 35-55%. The active stage of activity and reproduction of the pest begins in the open air from June. In early August, ticks begin to hibernate. It is the active period that is favorable for spraying plants. It is worth using folk remedies for spider mites. Very high summer temperatures, high humidity, the onset of cold weather stop the active phase of activity, insects hibernate, hide in the soil, in the crevices of buildings, under the remains of plants.
In the house, ticks crawl under the baseboards, on the ceiling, in the cracks in the window sills. It is difficult to use a remedy for spider mites during this period, since the spiders themselves are not visible, and their places of activity are also - they sleep, and do notare eating. Visually it seems that everything is in order, but the tick is just waiting for a favorable period.
Tick larvae and adults are carried by humans, animals, on the web. Yes, they crawl fast. In good conditions, egg clutches remain viable for up to 5 years.
Severity of damage
Tiny size offset by numbers. Spider mites live in colonies, they can give from 12 to 20 generations per year. And everyone, starting with the larvae, eats much larger than their size. Larvae and adults feed on plant sap, which is obtained by piercing a leaf. Numerous bite sites are those very small white dots. The affected leaf loses chlorophyll, the process of photosynthesis is disrupted. In addition, due to the destruction of the shell, the cell loses moisture, the sheet begins to dry. Dead cells merge into one yellow spot, then the stem, flowers, top are damaged - and the plant dies.
In parallel with the main harm, spider mites are carriers of various harmful bacteria and pathogens. It is more effective to use a spider mite remedy at the beginning of an infection. A plant that is already covered with cobwebs is too late and difficult to save. In addition to the main harm, ticks are carriers of various viruses and harmful bacteria, which also cause side diseases.
In the garden, in the garden…
The omnivorous parasite does not disdain anything, almost all plants of the garden and garden can be attacked. Most favorite garden miteplant - cucumbers. In addition to them, most often the pest affects gourds, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, rhubarb, soybeans, beans, spinach, and beets. In the garden - grapes, pears, cherries, apple trees, mulberries, chokeberries, berry and ornamental shrubs, flowers. Easily settles on weeds - swan, nettle, bindweed. This is another reason to carefully weed the beds. Any familiar remedy for spider mites on cucumbers is suitable for saving other plants.
Methods of dealing with this scourge are not limited to the use of chemicals. Folk remedies for spider mites, physical destruction and biological intervention are also used. The spider mite in our strip has many varieties, but some of them are especially dangerous for the garden. You need to know this in order to determine the best spider mite remedy for a particular group of plants, and apply it at the right time.
- Apple and plum trees are affected by the red fruit mite. Winters on the upper parts of the branches, dried fruits. The optimal time for destruction is during bud break. For a tick, this is the period of awakening and laying eggs.
- Rosaceae trees and shrubs are especially fond of the hawthorn mite. The most suitable time to apply a remedy for spider mites is the flowering period or immediately after it.
- Most of the crops in the beds are affected by the common spider mite, which leads an active lifestyle throughout the summer period. On our favorite cucumbers, it is he who causes damage. Folk remedies for spider mites on cucumbers should be used morebetter than chemical treatment. Why poison yourself?
- Currant bud mite acts in currants. It differs from its counterparts in the smallest size. It is difficult to see it even with a strong magnifying glass, so the damage to the leaves and buds is taken for signs of other diseases, and therefore, they are processed incorrectly. Meanwhile, currants will be saved by any remedy against spider mites, applied during the period of bud break, when the parasites are released.
What to do if a spider mite wound up in the apartment? Means of struggle
For an indoor green corner, a tick is no less a dangerous enemy than for a vegetable garden. As well as in the beds, in flowerpots, the parasite infects almost all species. The “almost” category includes saintpaulias, streptocarpus, hersenia, uzumbar violets. In contrast to them, dracaena, dieffenbachia, indoor roses, arrowroot, citrus fruits, balsam are the tick's favorite delicacy. The best remedy for spider mites on indoor plants is to keep them in conditions that the parasite does not tolerate. Regular watering, spraying, sufficient lighting - prevention of tick infestation.
The problem with some indoor species is that spraying is not suitable for them. And how to deal with spider mites - folk remedies or insecticides in this case? There is a way out: tampons soaked in a prepared remedy from onion or garlic, a decoction of herbs are placed in pots with affected plants. The plant is covered with a plastic bag for several days toincrease the concentration of fumes.
If this misfortune started in the apartment, disinfect the entire window sill, preventive treatment of he althy plants. In some cases, it may be necessary to sacrifice one, the most diseased flower, in order to save the rest. Ticks spread very quickly and hide well when adverse conditions occur.
Struggle physical
This concept means, first of all, the creation of favorable conditions for the development of plants: watering, destruction of weeds. For indoor plants, the temperature of the content is of great importance.
The first single affected plants must be removed immediately. Destroy torn out damaged leaves or shoots, do not just leave them on the ground - this is a breeding ground for the next generations of the pest.
It would be good to irradiate indoor plants with ultraviolet light: this slows down the reproduction of the parasite.
Biological impact
For every predator there is a scarier predator. So, for a spider mite, the bug-phytoseiulus is considered an enemy. Artificial colonization of plants by these insects makes it possible to destroy the parasite with the teeth of others, so to speak. Disadvantage: this method can only be used indoors.
Biopreparations have been created to combat ticks: Akarin, Bitoxibacillin, Fitoverm. How to apply them correctly?
- "Akarin" is diluted in proportion of 2 ml of the drug per liter of water.
- "Bitoxibacillin" - 80-100 g per 10 liters of water. The disadvantage of this drug is that it can cause allergies when in contact with treated plants.
Both solutions are used throughout the growing season every 15 -17 days.
"Fitoverm" is diluted in the amount of 10 ml per 10 liters of water. Processing is carried out every 7-10 or 14-20 days. The treatment period depends on the age and size of the plant
Another common drawback of biological agents - they act exclusively on adults. Eggs and larvae are not affected. The processing period depends on this: for each generation - a new portion.
Pesticides clofentezin and flufenzin belong to the group of hormonal. They do not destroy all individuals at once, but sterilize the uterus. The effect of their use is long-term, but becomes noticeable after a few days. Some individuals die out, while others do not appear. If you need to destroy the tick urgently, you can mix this drug with any of the biological products.
Advantages and disadvantages of "chemistry"
What do you need to know about the use of chemicals in the fight against spider mites?
- Once again, the spider mite is an arachnid. Most common insect repellents do not work on him.
- To combat this parasite, acaricides of intestinal and contact action are used. Some are also antibacterial.
- Acaricides are sulfuric and phosphoric. The spider mite has a harmful ability to adapt and produce an antidote against any ofthem. Therefore, when using repeatedly, alternate preparations.
- The main thing is to start processing as soon as possible after the first signs of damage are detected. The web, which will appear later, has a water-repellent effect. To achieve the desired result, you will have to increase the doses.
- Remember that acaricides that are almost completely safe for human he alth do not exist. When working with them, follow all safety rules. Read the instructions for dosage and use carefully.
- Using phosphate preparations in a residential area, you threaten the he alth of all family members. If you have a problem within the apartment, think about how to get rid of spider mites with folk remedies.
- As a tip: in order not to poison the garden in vain, process one plant first and look at the result (the duration of the action should be indicated in the instructions).
Fighting spider mites with folk remedies
Methods, proven by folk experience, have an effect no worse than industrial drugs. In any case, they will not bring harm to either man or animal. Ingredients for solutions - the simplest and most affordable. Not only indoor plants, but also the inhabitants of the beds, especially cucumbers, are subject to processing with folk remedies.
- At the first sign of illness, give the plant a cold shower daily. This is suitable for those species that do not mind such a procedure.
- You can use laundry soap or dishwashing liquid - goodwash leaves, stems, pot, windowsill.
- Approximately 150 g of peeled garlic chop in any way, pour 1 liter of water and leave for 5-7 hours. Dilute the resulting concentrate in the proportion of 5 ml/1 liter of water, use for plant treatment.
- Like garlic, onion infusion is prepared, only it is used without dilution. Garlic cloves, onion slices can be put in a pot if the houseplant does not like spraying. Cover the flowerpot with a plastic bag.
- An infusion is prepared from the roots of dandelion: 20 g of roots per 1 liter of water. Take warm water. You can apply after a couple of hours.
- You can treat infected areas of hard-leaved plants with a swab dipped in medical alcohol. This must be done carefully and quickly so as not to burn the leaves.
- Cyclamen. Boil several tubers of this plant for 40 minutes. A day later, the broth is ready for use.
- Yarrow. Pour a kilogram of dried grass with a bucket of boiling water. After 3-4 days, add 3 tbsp. spoons of grated laundry soap.
- Tar soap. Proportion: 10 g per liter of water.
- Turpentine. A jar of turpentine is placed near the affected houseplant and covered with a plastic bag together for several hours.
Prevention
As you can see, there are many methods to combat the parasite, for different needs and opportunities. Still, the best way to preserve green spaces is to keep the enemy out of yourterritory. For preventive purposes, several rules should be followed.
In the beds:
- Timely destruction of weeds in the beds and around greenhouses, greenhouses.
- Ensure adequate watering.
- It is good to fertilize plants - they have greater viability against disease and infection.
- Clean the garden in autumn, dig deep into the ground.
Indoors:
- Plants should be kept in optimal conditions: excessive dryness, as well as excessive moisture, is a favorable environment for spider mites.
- On broad-leaved plants, dust regularly with a damp, clean cloth, periodically pamper the indoor garden with shower rain (except for those who are harmful).
- Withered flowers, dried leaves, remove in time. This is not only a disease prevention, but also a way to prolong the flowering period.
- There is a good remedy for the prevention of the appearance of spider mites - a few drops of neem tree oil added to the water for spraying.
- All medicinal folk methods aimed at the destruction of the pest, in smaller doses, can be used for preventive treatment. If you don’t want to lose your favorite house plants or your cucumber crop, treat them occasionally with an infusion that is harmless to people.
