Spider mite on roses: how to deal with a tiny parasite without harming flowers

Brief description of the pest

The microscopic size of the spider mite allows it to go unnoticed for a long time. Its body length is only 0,5-0,6 mm. On closer inspection, the parasites look like small moving dots.

When examining a tick through a microscope, you can find that its body has an oval shape, 4 pairs of limbs are located on it. The lower part of the body is flat, the upper is slightly convex. Covers are soft.

Tick ​​larvae are almost transparent, with a greenish-yellow tint, dark spots are clearly visible on the sides.

The hue of adults is orange-red or bright red. The pest got its name because of the peculiarity of its behavior: settling on a plant, it begins to weave a dense web, which over time can completely cover it. Ticks begin to breed in early spring. One female lays about 7 eggs, which she attaches to the web or foliage of the plant.

Signs of damage to the rose mite

The first symptoms of a spider mite infection are similar to the manifestation of fungal diseases: a change in the leaf plate, which turns yellow, dries out and falls off. Very often, gardeners begin to treat a plant for a fungus, which further exacerbates the situation.

Other signs of the appearance of a spider mite on a rose include:

• the appearance on the flower of yellow or white dots in places where the parasite stuck in the process of feeding;
• the formation of a thin web that covers the lower surface of the leaf;
• twisting the tip of the sheet, forming a border on it;
• with an intensive defeat of the plant, the columns of mites are visible to the naked eye: they look like numerous moving grains of sand.

Reasons for the appearance of a tick on a room rose

The pest can get into the room on clothes or shoes, with the wind when the window is open.

What can be dangerous cobweb on a rose

With a small number of pests will not be able to cause serious harm to the plant. However, with a significant increase in their number, the flower may die. Ticks actively breed at high temperatures, the drier and warmer the air, the faster their colonies grow.

Pests feed on the juices of plants, causing their depletion.

A healthy flower strengthens its root system in the process of growth, but a rose attacked by parasites throws all its strength into replenishing nutrients. Dark dots appear on the leaves, they turn yellow and quickly fall off.

In addition, mites can settle on stems and buds. Then, on the affected areas of the rose, a cobweb is formed with dots moving under it. If measures are not taken in a timely manner, all rose bushes may be infected.

If a cobweb appeared on a room rose, what to do first

If there is no doubt that the mite is the cause of the appearance of the web on the rose, it is necessary to take action.

How to deal with spider mites on roses

It is quite difficult to deal with a pest of flowers. To completely get rid of it, it is advisable to use the full range of available means.

Chemicals

With a massive infection of the plant, it is customary to use chemicals from the group of acaricides, which are divided into 2 groups: specific acaricides and insecticidal agents. The action of the former is directed exclusively against ticks, the latter help to fight other types of pests.

The most popular preparations for the fight against spider mites:

It is important to know that mites quickly get used to the active ingredients of the drug, so it is recommended to change the funds periodically.

In addition, the frequent use of chemicals will lead to an increase in the amount of nitrogen in the soil, as a result of which the plants stop flowering.

In addition, all drugs in this group are toxic and can harm human health. To avoid unpleasant consequences, it is recommended to apply the following precautions:

• wear rubber gloves before handling and protect the respiratory system;
• do not spray with closed doors and windows, it is best to do it outdoors.
• make sure that children and pets do not reach the processed flower;
• when spraying, cover the soil so that insecticides do not get into it.

Biopreparations

Biological products are more preferable for the treatment of garden and house plants. They are safe for people and animals, while no less effective. Their only drawback is that they do not kill the larvae and do not destroy the eggs, but this problem can be solved by repeated spraying with an interval of 7 days.

Folk remedies

You can also fight spider mites with folk methods. They are safer and cost next to nothing. In the initial stages of pest infestation, they can be quite effective. There are the following recipes:

1. Infusion of garlic. Mix 0,5 kg of crushed garlic with 3 liters of water. Infuse the mixture in a dark place in a container with a closed lid for 7 days. After that, strain, add 100 ml. liquid soap and dilute at the rate of 80 ml. infusion for 10 liters of water. Treat flower leaves with the resulting agent, if necessary, re-process after 2 weeks.
2. Infusion of black henbane. 1 kg of dry grass pour 10 liters of water and insist in a dark place for 12 hours. Next, strain the solution and add 40-50 grams of grated laundry soap. Carefully treat infected flowers with the resulting product.
3. onion broth. Pour 5 g of onion peel into 100 liters of water. Boil the resulting mixture, insist for 5 days and strain. Means to spray bushes infected with spider mites.
4. Alder leaf infusion. Mash 2 kg of freshly cut alder leaves and pour 10 liters of water. Leave to infuse for 3 days, then bring to a boil and keep on low heat for half an hour. Then the infusion must be cooled and filtered. To enhance the effect, you can add liquid soap to it.
5. Dandelion. 30 gr. mix dandelion roots with 1 liter of water. Leave the mixture for 3 hours, then strain and use to spray flowers.
6. Alcohol. Lightly moisten a piece of cotton wool or soft cloth with alcohol and gently wipe the leaves. Before treating the whole plant, it is advisable to test the product on a small area of ​​​​the flower.
7. Tobacco broth. 300 gr. tobacco leaves pour 5 liters of boiling water and leave for 2-3 days. Next, the solution must be put on fire and evaporated for 2 hours. Cool the broth, add 100 g of liquid soap and beat for better application. Thoroughly treat the soil and leaves of affected plants with the agent.

It is important to understand that it is impossible to completely get rid of parasites using folk methods. They destroy larvae and adults, but do not affect the eggs, so there is a risk of re-infestation with parasites.

Prevention of the appearance of spider mites on indoor flowers

Measures to prevent the appearance of spider mites on roses are much less labor-intensive than the fight against it:

• weekly inspections of plants for the presence of parasites on them;
• periodic washing of flowers with a stream of water under high pressure;
• selection of varieties that are most resistant to pest infestation;
• regular cleaning of foliage and its burning;
• compliance with quarantine for new plants;
• exclusion of close contact of plants, thinning of plantings;
• regular disinfection of garden tools;
• maintaining optimal soil and air moisture.