Cyclamen mite on violets: how dangerous a miniature pest can be
Domestic violets, delicate and sensitive plants. For their growth and flowering, it is necessary to maintain a comfortable constant air temperature, soil moisture and fairly bright, but not direct light. But warmth and minimal humidity can be a good environment for the emergence and reproduction of mites.
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What types of mites most often parasitize violets
Ticks are animals, the largest group in the class of arachnids, which has more than 54 thousand species. They are a parasitic life form. It is almost impossible to see mites on houseplants due to their microscopic size, but the harm done to flowers is enormous.
There are several types of mites that parasitize violets.
Description and appearance of the cyclamen tick
Cyclamen are distinguished by the smallest sizes (100-250 microns), so it is almost impossible to see them without the use of laboratory equipment.
Ticks have a translucent light yellow body and 4 pairs of legs, live on young shoots, growing point and violet buds. Parasites feed on plant cell sap. High humidity and heat contribute to the rapid reproduction and development of the cyclamen mite.
Signs of tick damage
The main signs of damage to indoor violets by ticks are:
- wilting and falling of unblown flower buds;
- the appearance of a gray coating on the shoots, buds and leaves of violets;
- growth retardation and deformation of a blossoming flower bud;
- yellowing, fading and curling of leaves, plaque;
- fragility and thinning of petioles of leaves and stem;
- damage to the root system.
Causes of parasite infestation
Violation of optimal climatic conditions, an overdose of soil fertilizers, low humidity or oversaturation of indoor violets with water can cause infection with tick parasites.
Methods of fighting mites
In the fight against tick-borne parasites on violets, you can use folk methods or chemical agents. The method chosen depends on the type of mite and the degree of damage to the plant.
Traditional recipes
The simplest folk way to treat ticks is to bathe a flower. Previously, all affected parts are removed from the violet. The flower is completely immersed in a container of hot water for 15 minutes. While bathing violets, it is necessary to maintain a constant water temperature of at least 45 ° C. After such a procedure, the plant must be removed to a shaded place for several days for quarantine.
To avoid re-infection of plants with mites, all windows, window sills, surfaces are treated with soapy or alcohol-containing solutions.
Chemicals
The most effective method of combating ticks is the use of chemicals - acaricides and insectoacaricides. These drugs are divided into several groups.
Contact acaricides that penetrate the body of the tick through the skin. These drugs are very effective when the parasites are in the immobile stage of development.
- Envidor;
- Kieron;
- Orthus;
- Sunmite.
Intestinal acaricides acting on the insect through the mouth. They can only destroy larvae and adults of ticks.
- Fitoverm;
- Vertimek;
- Actophyte;
- Agravertin.
Most anti-mite drugs do not harm plants. They destroy parasites by spraying and rubbing the green parts of the plant with chemical solutions. The procedures should be carried out in three stages, each time changing the drug to reduce the parasite's addiction to the chemical composition.
There are also systemic acaricides that impregnate the roots and leaves of plants, making the flower poisonous to pests. But these drugs are very toxic. They cannot be used indoors.
Before treatment with a chemical preparation, the affected parts of the plant must be removed from the plant. When processing violets, observe precautionary measures:
- it is impossible to prepare a solution in dishes intended for food;
- do not add soap, because alkalis may not be compatible with chemicals;
- all prepared solutions should be used immediately, and the remains should be destroyed;
- when using chemicals, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment: a respirator, gloves and protective clothing;
- some means cannot be processed in a residential area, as it is dangerous to the health of people and pets.
After processing and treatment, the violet bush must be isolated from healthy specimens. And only after 3-4 weeks, after the appearance of fresh shoots and the obvious absence of signs of mites, the flower can be rearranged to its usual place.
Prevention of ticks
Most often, weakened plant specimens are attacked by parasites. To avoid the appearance and reproduction of mites on violets, it is necessary to maintain optimal and favorable conditions:
- Timely carry out top dressing, watering, maintain the desired temperature and illumination, which are necessary for plants.
- It is also desirable to place flowers at some distance, and before the start of the season of tick activity, carry out acaricidal treatment.
- When acquiring new flowers, withstand a two-week quarantine using chemicals.