How to deal with a spider mite - effective methods of destruction

One of the most dangerous plant pests that have to be fought every year is the spider mite. It settles in huge colonies on all vegetable crops, leading to a significant decrease in yield, and in advanced cases to complete death of plants. An omnivorous pest penetrates the houses where it settles on indoor flowers. Effective chemicals and infusions according to folk recipes have been developed to destroy the spider mite. It is necessary to fight the parasite with all available methods, and also do not forget about preventive measures.

Description of the spider mite

The spider mite family has more than 1200 species and is found everywhere except Antarctica. The size of the adult male is 0.3-0.45 mm, and the female is 0.4-0.8 mm. More often than other species, an ordinary spider mite is a pest of garden and agricultural plots. He feeds on the juice of green plants, leaving behind a dry skeleton, braided by cobwebs. The phytophage belongs to the class of arachnids, it is not an insect, but an animal.

What does a spider mite look like? The shape of his body resembles an ellipse, it is covered with hairs, the back is convex. The larvae have 6 legs, and adults have 8. On thin legs there are sharp claws with which they cling to the surface of plants. The color of the larvae is from light green to brown; they darken with age. Reproduction occurs by laying eggs. In the absence of fertilization, males appear from them, and females from the fertilized masonry.
One generation lives from 14 to 30 days, females have time to lay 100-150 eggs during this period. From each after 3 days a voracious larva appears. Under adverse conditions, the offspring does not appear 2 weeks. Eggs can lie alive for up to 5 years. At each stage of their development, from a larva to an adult, arachnids feed on cell sap. Weakened immunity cultures cannot cope with infectious diseases. Following the pest comes gray rot, soot fungus and other diseases.

High temperature (from 27⁰) and low humidity are optimal conditions for active reproduction of pests. With a reduction in daylight, they plunge into diapause, a state of hibernation. Hiding in the crevices of buildings, soil or plant debris, phytophages expect the onset of heat. This ability greatly complicates the fight against them.

Pest on vegetables - how to fight?

The spider mite has preferences among vegetable crops, most often it chooses cucumbers, melons, eggplant, peppers. Phytophages feel especially good in the greenhouse. Here they are protected from the weather and temperature fluctuations. A high breeding rate under favorable conditions leads to the rapid infection of all vegetables.

The result of the life of the pest are:

• mechanical damage to the back of the leaves;
• slowing down the development of the ovary;
• when a spider mite appears on cucumbers, the upper tier of plants is braided by a web;
• there is a violation of photosynthesis;
• necrosis develops, the plant deforms and dries;
• catastrophically reduced productivity.

Attention. The natural enemy of the spider mite Phytoseiulus persimilis is used in greenhouses to kill pests. The predator feeds exclusively on this species, it is absolutely not dangerous for plants and humans.

Prevention is a significant step in pest control

The fight against phytophage includes mandatory preventive measures:

1. After harvesting, it is necessary to remove all crop residues, tear out and remove weeds. It is in them that pests find refuge for the winter.
2. Planting plants to perform with the interval between rows.
3. Reclaim the soil, remove the top layer of contaminated soil and replace it with a new one.
4. To get rid of the spider mite wintering in the greenhouse, it is necessary to carry out fumigation, and burn all structures with a blowtorch.
5. It is recommended to establish a climate regime inside the greenhouse that is uncomfortable for pests - humidity 80-90%, temperature up to 25⁰.
6. Regularly conduct treatment with acaricidal drugs.

Chemical and biological preparations for processing plants

Methods for combating spider mites include the use of improvised means and specially developed drugs. The first option is environmentally friendly, but with a strong infection is not effective. At the first signs of a pest, it is recommended that all plants be treated with a soap solution (100 g of laundry soap per 10 l of water). Used infusions of onion husks, garlic and tobacco.

Ecological and safe methods for the destruction of the phytophage include the use of a predatory tick of phytosailus. It is enough to place 60 individuals per m² site to get rid of eggs, larvae and adult pests. Acarifag is active at a temperature of 20⁰ high humidity. After removing all enemies, the predator will die without food.

Chemicals are much more effective in the struggle to preserve the crop. Many tools have been created that can destroy the pest at various stages of development.

• Karbofos - an organophosphorus substance, an insecticide and acaricide. Available in various forms and concentrations. The active substance malathion is effective against insects and arachnids. The duration of protection in open ground is 10 days, in a greenhouse - up to 7 days. Spraying is done in the evening in calm weather.
• Actellik is a spider mite remedy suitable for use on open and protected soil. The drug belongs to insectoacaricides, it does not affect the plant, it only poisons pests. The substance of intestinal contact action has fumigant properties, destroying phytophages on both sides of the leaves. The duration of exposure is 2-3 weeks.
• Apollo - the action of acaricide is directed to eggs and larvae. This drug is one of the few that are able to cope with pests at an early stage of development. The active compound clofentesin sterilizes adults, preventing reproduction. Apollo refers to acaricides of contact action, for poisoning eggs, it is necessary to thoroughly moisten the plants with a freshly prepared solution. The substance is slightly toxic, safe for humans and insects. Protection of the drug is valid for up to 2 months.

Attention. When processing crops with one chemical preparation, pests develop addiction. During the summer season, means of destruction must be changed.

Types of ticks on indoor plants

Among plant diseases, a special place is occupied by a spider mite. Phytophages are persistent and difficult to eliminate pests, including several types:

• An ordinary spider mite is a species common on the ground and indoors.Colonies settle on the underside of the leaves, hiding from sunlight. Adults quickly crawl from an infected plant to neighboring flowers.
• Red tick - indoor plants often suffer from attacks of a small pest that settles on a lemon, orchids, rosesbalsam. Soft-bodied females 0.5 mm in purple, males 0.3 mm colored bright red.
• False spider mite - it differs in miniature dimensions of 0.25 mm, it does not weave a web. Infection becomes noticeable with a huge number of individuals.
• Atlantic tick - looks like a spider mite. Propagated in any humidity, prefers palm trees and citrus trees.
• Cyclamen tick - affects the edges of leaves, buds and stems. With the naked eye is not noticeable. The colonies settle on the upper side of the leaves and look like a layer of dust. Pests choose cyclamens, balsams, chrysanthemums and other tuber plants.
• A wide spider mite - the phytophage is very fertile, every 5 days a new generation appears on the leaves. After 2-3 weeks, the plant is entangled in cobwebs and clusters of ticks, similar to reddish-brown dust. The pest attacks the oleander, ficus, cactus, tagetis. In the fight against it, sulfur preparations are effective.
• Cactus flat mite - insecticides are recommended for the destruction of phytophages. Processing is carried out several times with an interval of 7 days.

Where does the spider mite on the flowers come from?

Pests are unpretentious in choosing a habitat, they can be found on various indoor colors:

• ficus;
• palm;
• Sims azalea;
• the Rose;
• cyperus.

The first signs of infection are yellow dots on the leaves, eventually merging into a large spot. Microscopic arthropod in small quantities does not braid indoor plants with a web, so it is not immediately noticeable. Usually the damage caused by them is attributed to a lack or excess of moisture. Look for pests should be on the back of the leaves. When there are several tens of individuals, they can be noticed.

Attention. If you suspect the appearance of a spider mite on a ficus, it is worthwhile to conduct a simple study. Peel a sheet over the paper, and then examine the surface with a magnifying glass. Several pests will surely fall from the plant and will be noticed.

How do indoor plants become infected?

The pest enters plants in various ways:

1. With infected indoor flower. When buying a new plant, you must carefully examine its leaves. A tick cannot be noticed, and yellow dots on the leaves will make you think about the health of the plant.
   

   Tip. It is recommended that the new flower be quarantined for 2 weeks. If it turns out that he is the carrier of the pest, he will have to be treated only, and the rest of the plants will not be affected.

2. With soil. Soil purchased or from the street can be fraught with danger in the form of a female or spider mite larvae. Arachnids can immerse themselves in diapause, a state of slow metabolism, under adverse conditions. They come to life with an increase in temperature and a decrease in humidity. After the start of the heating season, the pest begins an active life.
   

   Tip. It is recommended that the soil taken on the street be calcined in the oven.

3. Through an open window with the wind. Residents of the first floors more than others risk their indoor plants with open windows. Adults travel long distances with the wind, catching on a cobweb. The pest can be brought to the balcony, as well as get into the apartment on the clothes of summer residents. He is mobile, in search of food he is actively exploring new territories. A flower tick brought in with a fresh bouquet will be a threat to all indoor plants.

Pest Management Methods

Many flower lovers have not encountered such a problem before, so they don’t know how to deal with the spider mite on indoor plants. Methods of killing the parasite depend on the degree of its spread.At the initial stage, it is necessary to use the mechanical method - pick off the yellowed leaves, where the bulk of the pests have accumulated, and burn them. The plant itself should be treated with a soapy solution. It is prepared at the rate of 10-20 g of laundry or tar soap per 1 liter of water.

After removing the dry leaves, the rest are wiped with a napkin dipped in soapy water on both sides. This allows you to remove adults and part of the larvae. To enhance the effect, the plant along with foam moisture is placed 2 days in a plastic bag. After 48 hours, it is thoroughly washed with a warm shower. The procedure is not one-time, it is repeated after a week.

Attention. Along with flower processing, it is necessary to wash the window sill (with soap or alcohol), window frames, and wash the curtains.

A common method for getting rid of a spider mite is alcohol treatment. It should be carried out carefully, first try on one leaf so that there is no burn. Spray alcohol with a spray or cotton pad. The treatment is suitable for ficus, dieffenbachia and other plants with dense leaves. This disinfection is effective for window frames. Exposure to ultraviolet lamps is recommended. It is only beneficial for plants, and ticks always avoid contact with ultraviolet light.

Special chemicals

Without the use of chemistry, it will not be possible to completely remove pests. Modern acaricidal drugs Designed for indoor use. An effective method of combating spider mites is spraying with chemical compounds and cultivating the earth in a pot. Among the recommended remedies:

Fitoverm

Plant-based bio-insecticide Fitoverm can be safely used at home. It is recommended for the prevention and destruction of pests on indoor plants. The effect of the drug begins 6-7 hours after application. The period of protective action is 2-3 weeks. The ampoule of the drug (2 ml) must be introduced into 1 liter of water, the infected composition is intensively sprayed with the finished composition.

Aktara

A modern acaricidal drug is used not only in the garden, but also for the destruction of pests on flowers - roses, violets, ficus and others. The product is offered in the form of a concentrated emulsion and water-soluble granules. Small packaging in ampoules and sachets is convenient when processing domestic plants. Actara from a spider mite is a systemic drug. It penetrates the leaves and tissues of plants, sucking juice from them, pests receive a dose of poison.

An hour after an insecticide enters their body, phytophages lose their ability to eat and die within 24 hours. The action of the drug when applied to the soil protects indoor plants for 2 months. When spraying, a fresh solution should be used. When working with a toxic substance, care should be taken - put on gloves, wash face and hands after work, change clothes.

Plant pin

Sticks with the active substance butoxycarboxim. Remedy for spider mites on indoor plants, which does not require spraying. The number of sticks depends on the diameter of the pot - by 9 cm - 1, by 12 cm - 2, by 20 cm - 5-6. They are stuck in the ground at a distance of 2 cm from the plant. During watering, the active substance dissolves and enters the roots of the flower. The effect of the drug is noted after 3-7 days. It will protect against pests for 8 weeks. A similar effect has the agent Etisso.

Prevention

Preventing phytophage infection is better than fighting them later. Simple rules will help to save indoor plants:

• The active development of the spider mite on lemon, ficus and other indoor plants occurs in dry air. You should often air the room and spray the plants with water.
• Self-prepared or purchased earth mixture is sterilized in the oven, moss is treated with boiling water.
• When processing plants, the window sill must be wiped, where there may be fallen pests.
• You can not put bouquets of cut flowers next to indoor plants.
• New plants must go through a quarantine period - stand apart from others 2-3 weeks after acquisition. Even if the purchase is made in a specialty store.

Tip. Place flower pots in wide trays with water, which will gradually evaporate, creating moisture uncomfortable for ticks.

Measures for the prevention and control of spider mites are distinguished by an integrated approach. They require consideration of the characteristics of the development of the pest. If after the first treatment complete destruction did not occur, then after 7-10 days it must be repeated. Ticks are resistant to external factors, but with due persistence and they can be defeated.