Caring for plants in the house, working on a personal plot for lovers of the green world is not an easy job, but not without pleasure. Especially when you see the results of your labor. It's a shame when the plant suddenly starts to turn yellow, becomes covered with nasty dots, or even completely fades. A thin spider web appears at the top or over the entire height. We are sorry - you got a spider mite. Look for an effective remedy for spider mites, and immediately, otherwise the crop will disappear! In indoor conditions, ticks very actively and quickly switch 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 insect from 0.3 to 0.5 mm in size is almost impossible to see with the naked eye, and its eggs, all the more. Rather, the damage inflicted by her is immediately visible. The spider mite, despite the name, is not related to the category of ticks. This is not an insect, but arachnid. This information is important to determine the effective remedy for spider mites.
The color of insects varies from green to brownish-brown or red in winter. The body is round and covered with bristles. Spider mites hide on the underside of plants, and it is difficult to notice them due to 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 completely and completely eradicate this pest. Ticks have great viability and upon the onset of adverse conditions cease to spoil the plant, but do not die. They can withstand a prolonged period of hunger, hibernating in anticipation of better times.
Optimal living conditions
The unique adaptability to the 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 in 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 creep under the baseboards, on the ceiling, in the cracks in the window sills. The spider mite remedy is difficult to use during this period, since the spiders themselves are not visible, and their places of activity are also asleep, they do not eat. Visually, it seems that everything is in order, but the tick only waits for a favorable period.
Tick larvae and adults are transferred by humans, animals, on the web. Yes, and they themselves crawl quickly. In good conditions, egg laying will remain in a viable state for up to 5 years.
Severity of damage
Tiny dimensions are offset by numbers. Spider mites live in colonies; over a year they can produce from 12 to 20 generations. And everything, starting with larvae, eat much more than their size. Larvae and adults feed on plant juice, which is obtained by piercing the leaf. Numerous places of bites - these are the same white small dots. The affected leaf loses chlorophyll, the photosynthesis process is disrupted. In addition, due to the destruction of the membrane, 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. The spider mite remedy is more effective at the beginning of infection. A plant that is already covered in cobwebs is 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.
Is it in the garden, in the garden ...
The omnivorous parasite does not disdain anything, almost all the plants of the garden and garden can be attacked. The most favorite mite garden plant is cucumbers. In addition to them, the pest most often affects melons, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, rhubarb, soy, beans, spinach, and beets. In the garden there are grapes, pears, cherries, apple trees, mulberries, aronia, berry and ornamental shrubs, flowers. It easily settles on weeds - swan, nettle, and 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. Alternative 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 certain group of plants, and apply it at the most suitable time.
- Apple trees and plums are affected by a red fruit tick. Winters on the upper parts of branches, dried fruits. The optimal time of destruction is during budding. In ticks, this is the period of awakening and laying of eggs.
- Rosaceous trees and shrubs especially like hawthorn mite. The most suitable time to apply the remedy for spider mites is the flowering period or immediately after it.
- Most of the crops in the beds are affected by the usual spider mite, which leads an active lifestyle throughout the summer period. It is he who inflicts damage on our cucumbers. Folk remedies for spider mites on cucumbers are more appropriate to apply than to process with chemistry. Why poison yourself?
- In currant, a currant bud mite acts. It differs from its counterparts in the smallest size. It is difficult to make out even in a strong magnifying glass, therefore, damage to leaves and buds is taken for signs of other diseases, therefore, it is not processed correctly. Meanwhile, currants will be saved by any anti-spider mite remedy used during budding, when the parasites are released.
What to do if a spider mite is wound up in the apartment? Means of struggle
For a green room corner, a tick is no less a dangerous enemy than for a garden. As well as on beds, in flowerpots the parasite infects almost all types. The “almost” category includes senpolias, streptocarpuses, hersenic, and uzumbar violets. In contrast, dracaena, dieffenbachia, indoor roses, arrowroot, citrus, balsam are a favorite treat of the tick. The best remedy for spider mites on indoor plants is keeping them under conditions that the parasite does not tolerate. Regular watering, spraying, adequate lighting - prevention of tick infection.
The problem with some indoor species is that spraying is not suitable for them. And how to deal with a spider mite - folk remedies or insecticides in this case? There is a way out: in pots with affected plants put tampons soaked in a prepared product from onions or garlic, a decoction of herbs. The plant is covered with a plastic bag for several days to increase the concentration of fumes.
If this scourge wound up in the apartment, disinfect the entire window sill, preventative treatment of healthy plants. In some cases, you may have to sacrifice one, the most diseased flower, to save the rest. Ticks spread very quickly and hide well when adverse conditions occur.
Physical fight
By this concept is meant, first of all, the creation of favorable conditions for the development of plants: watering, weed control. For indoor plants, the content temperature is of great importance.
The first single affected plants must be removed immediately. Destroy damaged sheets or shoots, do not just leave it on the ground - this is a nursery for the next generations of the pest.
Indoor plants would be good to irradiate with ultraviolet light: this slows down the reproduction of the parasite.
Biological impact
For every predator there is a worse predator. So, for a spider mite, the enemy is considered to be a phytoseyulus bug. Artificial population of plants with this insect allows you to destroy the parasite with alien, so to speak, teeth. Disadvantage: the use of this method is possible only in closed ground conditions.
To combat the tick, biologics were created: Akarin, Bitoxibacillin, Fitoverm. How to apply them correctly?
- "Acarin" is diluted in a 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 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 l of water. Processing is carried out every 7-10 or 14-20 days. The processing period depends on the age and size of the plant.
Another common drawback of biological agents is that they act exclusively on adults. Eggs and larvae are not affected. The processing period depends on this: for each generation - a new portion.
Pesticides clofentesin and flufenzin belong to the group of hormones. 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 you need to know about the use of chemicals in the fight against spider mites?
- Once again, the spider mite is arachnid. Most common insect repellents do not work on it.
- To combat this parasite, acaricides of intestinal and contact action are used. Some have antibacterial effects.
- Acaricides are sulfuric and phosphoric. The spider mite has a harmful ability to adapt and produce an antidote against any of them. Therefore, applying repeatedly, alternate drugs.
- The main thing is to start processing as soon as possible after detecting the first signs of damage. The web, which appears later, has a water-repellent effect. To achieve the desired result, you will have to increase the dose.
- Remember that acaricides are almost completely harmless to human health. When working with them, follow all safety rules. Read the dosage and application instructions carefully.
- Using phosphoric preparations in the living room, you threaten the health of all family members. If a problem occurs within the apartment, think about how to get rid of the spider mite with folk remedies.
- As a tip: in order not to poison the garden in vain, first treat one plant and look at the result (the duration of action should be indicated in the instructions).
The fight against spider mites folk remedies
Methods tested by popular experience have an effect no worse than industrial drugs. In any case, they will not bring harm to either man or animal. The ingredients for solutions are 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, make a cold shower for the plant daily. This is suitable for species that are not against such a procedure.
- You can use laundry soap or dishwashing detergent - wash leaves, stems, a pot, a windowsill well.
- Grind approximately 150 g of peeled garlic in any way, add 1 liter of water and leave for 5-7 hours. The resulting concentrate should be diluted in a proportion of 5 ml / 1 liter of water, used for processing plants.
- Like garlic, prepare onion infusion, only it is used without dilution. Cloves of garlic, onion slices can be put in a pot if the houseplant does not like spraying. Cover the flowerpot with a plastic bag.
- From the roots of dandelion medicinal infusion is prepared: 20 g of roots per 1 liter of water. Take warm water. You can apply after a couple of hours.
- You can treat the infected areas of hard-leaved plants with a swab dipped in medical alcohol. This should be done carefully and quickly so as not to burn the leaves.
- Cyclamen . Boil a few tubers of this plant for 40 minutes. After a day, the broth is ready for use.
- Yarrow . A kilogram of dried grass pour a bucket of boiling water. After 3-4 days, add 3 tbsp. To the filtered infusion. 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 for several hours.
Prevention
As you can see, there are many methods to combat the parasite, for different needs and opportunities. Nevertheless, the best way to preserve the green spaces is to prevent the enemy from entering their territory. For preventive purposes, a few rules should be followed.
On the beds:
- Timely destruction of weeds in the beds and around greenhouses, greenhouses.
- Provide adequate watering.
- Fertilize plants well - they have greater resilience to diseases and infection.
- Clean the garden in the fall, dig up the earth deeply.
Indoors:
- Plants should be kept under optimal conditions: excessive dryness, like excessive moisture, is a favorable environment for spider mites.
- On broadleaf plants, regularly wipe the dust with a damp, clean cloth, periodically indulge the indoor garden with rain from the shower (except for those who are harmful).
- Remove wilted flowers, dried leaves on time. This is not only disease prevention, but also a way to extend the flowering period.
- There is a good remedy for preventing the appearance of a spider mite - a few drops of neem tree oil added to the water for spraying.
- All therapeutic folk methods aimed at the destruction of the pest, in smaller doses, can be used for preventive treatment. Do not want to lose your favorite home plants or the crop of cucumbers - treat them occasionally harmless to humans infusion.