What is a spider mite
The spider mite is a pest from the arachnid family. The size of the arthropod does not exceed 1 mm in length. The body is elliptical in shape, there are 4 pairs of limbs. The light green, brown or whitish color of the body provides the parasite with excellent camouflage.
Where does the parasite on plants come from?
The pest can settle on almost all plants, including indoor ones. Causes of spider mite infestation include:
- infection at the time of sowing, if the planting material has not been disinfected;
- fertilizer of crops with humus - pest larvae often accumulate in it;
- introduction of a tick on new plants, lack of quarantine of acquired crops;
- infection through garden tools and equipment;
- the larvae can be carried by the wind, enter the room through an open window or door.
What is dangerous pest
The tick feeds on the juices of plants, as a result of its vital activity, the culture quickly withers, loses leaves and, if the necessary measures are not taken, dies. In addition, infected plants do not form flower stalks and do not produce young shoots.
Typical symptoms of a spider mite infection
Since the spider mite is a microscopic creature, symptoms do not appear immediately after infection. Characteristic signs become noticeable only with a significant increase in the population. Spider mite damage can be determined by the following symptoms:
Web
In the initial stages of infection, it is barely noticeable, so inexperienced flower growers may not pay attention to it. With a strong infection, the web becomes dense, envelops the entire plant.
small dots
The appearance on the leaves of plants of small dots of a greenish or light yellow color are traces of a puncture by a pest in order to suck out the juices of the plant. Over time, the dots are transformed into well-visualized spots.
Waste
On closer inspection, you can see the waste products of the pest, which outwardly look like small black grains.
The best remedies for spider mites
The range of funds is very wide. The preparations against spider mites and other mites that have shown the greatest effectiveness in the fight against this parasite and have earned the trust of customers are described below.
Acaricidal preparations
Preparations of this group act only against arachnids, which include ticks. Active substances act on the nervous system of the pest, causing paralysis and subsequent death.
Acaricidal preparations
The drug is available as a suspension in 1 liter plastic bottles. The active substance is clofentezin. Destroys not only adults, but also their larvae, has a prolonged action. It is most effective when opening the kidneys and the appearance of buds: during this period, the larvae come out of the eggs. However, it is acceptable to use it in the summer and autumn. When used correctly, it does not pose a danger to humans and animals.
pros
- effective in the fight against ticks at all stages of its development;
- has a long period of effectiveness;
- flexible usage schedule.
Japanese drug based on fenpyroximate. Produced in the form of a concentrated suspension in bottles of 0,5 liters. Effective for pest control of fruit and berry crops. Destroys ticks at all stages of development, including embryonic. The paralyzing effect appears almost immediately after treatment. Changing weather conditions do not affect the effectiveness of the product, it is also allowed to combine it with other chemicals and use it at any stage of plant development.
pros
- affects pests at all stages of development;
- is not washed off by rain;
- slightly toxic compared to similar products.
Cons
- only suitable for fruit and berry crops.
The drug is a powder for the preparation of a solution. Available in packages of different sizes. The drug is produced in Japan, the active substance is pyridaben. It destroys pests at all stages of development, but is most effective against nymphs and larvae. The action of the drug occurs 15 minutes after spraying, the complete death of ticks occurs in 1-3 days. The effect of the drug lasts up to 40 days, but it is reliably known that plants become addicted to it, so it is advisable to use sunmite no more than 1 time per year.
pros
- the effect can be observed after 15 minutes;
- long-term protective action;
- affects individuals of all stages of development.
American drug in the form of an emulsion, available in 1 liter bottles. The active substance is propargite. It has a wide range of applications: suitable for ornamental, vegetable, fruit and berry crops. Can be used indoors. Destroys pests at all stages of development. The mechanism of action is contact, the drug does not lose effectiveness even in hot weather.
pros
- effective in all weather conditions;
- a wide range of actions;
- contact mechanism.
Cons
- the second class of danger to humans.
A popular Russian-made drug. It is a concentrated suspension, poured into bottles or canisters. The active substance, difluvidazine, penetrates the leaf blades and has a sterilizing effect on female mites. The drug belongs to low-hazard for humans and animals, can be used to treat any plants, including indoor plants. It can be addictive, so it is recommended to use it no more than 1 time per year.
pros
- extended validity period (up to 60 days);
- suitable for indoor plants;
- little toxic;
- several mechanisms of action: sterilizing, translaminar, contact.
Russian drug based on hexythiazox. It has a contact-intestinal mechanism of action. Produced in the form of a concentration suspension packaged in plastic bottles. The drug effectively destroys nymphs and larvae, but is powerless against adults. For this reason, processing is recommended at the beginning of the season, when the number of adults is minimal. If it was not possible to process the plants within this period, it is better to combine the agent with other acaricidal preparations.
Insecticides
Insectoacaricidal preparations can be used to combat not only ticks, but also other parasitic insects.
Insecticides
It is used to process any crops, including greenhouses. The tool has a mild effect, does not harm cultivated plants. The active substance Amabectin penetrates deep into the distal plates. Produced in the form of an emulsion, poured into plastic bottles. It does not pose a danger to humans, the crop from the treated plants can be harvested already 2-3 days after spraying. In case of massive infection of the pest, re-treatment is allowed, but not earlier than 10 days after the initial one. Autumn processing is allowed: the drug will penetrate the bark of the plant and destroy the larvae of pests.
pros
- safe for animals and humans;
- can be used during the period of bud formation;
- economical consumption.
Recommended for the treatment of garden and indoor plants. The drug belongs to the group of organophosphorus agents, the active substance is pirimifos-methyl. Produced in the form of an emulsion, packaged in ampoules. Does not lose effectiveness even in hot weather, quickly penetrates the leaf plate, protects the plant from re-infection for 30 days.
pros
- affordable price;
- long-term protective effect;
- easy to use.
Cons
- cannot be used near water bodies.
The active substance - melathion, has a contact mechanism of action, is available in the form of an emulsion or powder. It has a wide spectrum of action, it is used for spring and autumn processing. In autumn, it is more often used to treat near-stem soil in order to destroy tick larvae.
pros
- a wide range of actions;
- the preventive effect lasts up to 30 days.
Cons
- toxic, can cause poisoning.
The agent is an emulsion concentrate, the active substance is bifenthrin. Used for processing almost all crops, including greenhouses. It does not pose a danger to plants, it is recommended to treat it in calm, dry weather. Can be combined with other chemicals.
pros
- harmless to plants, humans, animals and insects;
- a wide range of activities.
Biological preparations
Biological preparations are of organic origin. They have a lower efficiency compared to acaricides and insecticides, so treatment with such agents must be carried out more often. At the same time, biological preparations are safe for humans, animals, insects and fish.
Biological preparations
The drug is available in the form of a powder. It begins to act on the parasite when it enters its intestines. The effect appears 3-5 days after treatment. The tool can be combined with other drugs, including chemical insecticides.
pros
- safe for plants, animals and humans;
- can be used at all stages of plant development;
- does not have a toxic effect on the crop.
One of the most popular preparations among gardeners. Produced in the form of an emulsion for the preparation of a working solution. Effectively fights many types of insects. Fitoverm treatment is recommended in the morning and evening. Suitable for indoor use.
pros
- safe for cultivated plants;
- simplicity and usability;
- high efficiency.
It is produced in dry form, it is used mainly for application to the soil before wintering in order to destroy eggs and larvae of pests, but spraying and watering are also allowed (in this case, a working solution is prepared).
pros
- high efficiency and safety;
- can be used in a variety of ways;
- fertilizes the soil.
Popular folk remedies for pest control
To combat spider mites, you can use folk methods. They are incomparably less effective and can only be used in combination with other methods and as a prophylactic.
The most popular folk recipes for dealing with spider mites:
- Ash and soap. Dissolve 5 gr. in 200 liters of water. wood ash and a piece of grated laundry soap. Stir the solution until the soap dissolves, then pour into a container with a spray bottle and process the plants.
- Alcohol. Mix alcohol and water in equal proportions. Apply the resulting solution to a cotton pad and gently treat the damaged leaves.
- Onion peel. Mix 1 kg. husks and 5 liters of water. Infuse the mixture for 5 days, then strain and process the plants.
Preventive measures for plant protection
In order not to have to waste time and energy on pest control, it is recommended to use the following preventive measures for its appearance:
- quarantine new plants - temporarily isolate it from other flowers;
- the tick actively breeds in dry air, so you need to maintain normal humidity;
- conduct regular inspections of plant leaves;
- leaves of indoor plants should be periodically wiped with a solution of laundry soap;
- observe agricultural technology, take care of cultivated plants - strong, healthy crops are less susceptible to attack by pests.
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