Expert on
pests
portal about pests and methods of dealing with them

A small but very dangerous grape mite: photos and simple tips to combat the parasite

Author of the article
230 views
8 minutes. for reading

Some types of parasites can cause serious damage to grapes. The most dangerous for this culture are representatives of the arachnid family. To avoid crop loss, the gardener must know what spider mites look like on grapes and how to deal with them.

What types of mites most often parasitize on grapes

More than 75 species of mites can parasitize grapes. The most common of these are described below.

felt mite

The grape felt mite is considered the least dangerous parasite, although it is quite common. The tick has a microscopic (up to 0,2 mm) size, an oval body, and a yellowish color. It hibernates in the buds of the plant, with the onset of heat it moves to the lower part of the leaf blade and begins to feed on its contents.

Felt mites reproduce rapidly: up to 6 generations can grow in one year.

External manifestations of infection with a parasite: the leaves acquire a brown tint, a felt-like coating is formed, bulges and deformations. The leaves do not die completely from the influence of the parasite, they continue to perform their functions, therefore it is impossible to completely lose the crop, but its quality and quantity are reduced.

spider mite

It is the most common species, its other name is itch. The parasite has a small (0,4-0,6 mm) size, yellow or grayish color. The insect spends the winter inside a bush or in a pile of fallen leaves. As soon as the first leaves are formed, the pest moves to them and begins vigorous activity.
Females lay eggs already at a temperature of +13 degrees, in one clutch there can be from 70 to 140 eggs. A week after birth, the larvae begin to parasitize on grape leaves, drinking their juice and bush shoots. The saliva of the parasite is toxic, so the leaves are deformed at the bite sites, their inner side swells.

After a couple of weeks, the larvae move to a new stage of development - adults. Yellow spots form on the leaves of the grape, they gradually dry out. A web is formed on their inner side.

Spider mite.

kidney mite

These parasites are also small in size, but have high voraciousness, vitality and fertility. By spring, one female lays more than 100 eggs, it is difficult to destroy the pest - it is very resistant to chemical attack.

Kidney mites hibernate on the inner surface of the kidneys with the onset of heat remain there. The affected grape bush sheds leaves, gets sick, the yield is significantly reduced.

The Mite.

leaf mite

Lives exclusively in the southern regions. Body size - up to 0,1 mm., Yellow color. A distinctive external feature is a small hump on the back. The leaves affected by the leaf mite change color, become pale, the plate becomes thinner, and the cuttings, on the contrary, become fleshy and thick. The shoots of the plant deteriorate: they become crooked, dry out and do not have time to grow.

Leaf mite.

Signs of damage and harm caused by grape mites

The fact that the grapes were attacked by ticks can be guessed by the following signs:

Spots

Characteristic spots of a light shade on the outer part of the leaf, over time, as the pests absorb plant sap, the leaves change color to brown.

Deformation

Leaf blades are deformed, twist and fall off.

Web

The formation of a dense tight web on the inside of the leaf

Points

On closer inspection, you can see moving dots - these are grape mites.

Fruit

In case of severe infection, the pest moves to clusters: unripe fruits become ugly, dry out, ripe berries change color to brown, and a felt coating appears on them.

Reasons for the appearance of mites on grapes

Infection of culture most often occurs during bud break. Pests and their larvae are carried by the wind, birds and other insects.

Measures to combat grape mites

Various methods are used to control pests: chemical, biological, agricultural practices and folk remedies. Each of them is described in more detail below.

Chemicals

Chemical insecticidal preparations are used for severe damage to the crop. Sulfur-containing products are effective in killing ticks. Processing should be carried out in compliance with safety regulations, since the drugs are toxic to humans.

Mandatory condition: apply chemicals only before the plant begins to bloom.

The recommended air temperature is not lower than 20 degrees, you should not process plants in windy and humid weather. Drugs that have proven to be the most effective:

Chemicals
Place#
Name
Expert assessment
1
Actrellik
8.9
/
10
Details
2
Fufanon
9.3
/
10
Details
3
Omite
9.7
/
10
Details
Chemicals
Actrellik
1
Expert rating:
8.9
/
10

Created on the basis of phosphorus-containing components. Available in ampoules of 2 ml: one unit is diluted in 0,7 liters. water. Processing should be carried out in the morning and evening hours, 2 times with a break of 7 days. Getting into the body of the pest, the drug disrupts all processes in his body, as a result of which the insect dies.

pros
  • fumigation action;
  • begins to act after 10-120 minutes;
  • does not harm the plant.
Cons
  • toxic to humans and bees.
Fufanon
2
Expert rating:
9.3
/
10

The drug belongs to insecticides with a wide range of effects. The active substance is malatonin. Destroys pests by fumigation and contact-intestinal action. Available as a clear emulsion. To prepare a solution, stir 5 mg. substances in 1,5-2 liters. water, then add liquid to obtain a volume of 5 liters. One bush needs 3-4 liters. solution, re-treatment is carried out after 10 days.

pros
  • begins to affect pests after 60 minutes;
  • high efficiency.
Cons
  • toxic to humans.
Omite
3
Expert rating:
9.7
/
10

Destroys many types of parasites, acts by evaporation. The active ingredient is 30% propargite. To prepare the solution, mix 10-12 ml. funds from 5 l. water. The indicated amount is sufficient for processing 10-12 m2.

pros
  • non-toxic to humans;
  • rain-resistant and resistant to direct sunlight.
Cons
  • are absent.

Biological methods

The most modern and effective drug for the fight against grape mites is Fitoverm. You can use the drug immediately after the flowering of the plant. Destroys parasites by contact and intestinal method.

Prepare a solution for processing: 1 ml. drug for 10 liters. water. The resulting volume is enough to process an area of ​​100 m2. Advantages of the drug: unlike insecticides, fruits are allowed to be harvested already on the 4th day after treatment. Disadvantages: several treatments per season are required, not effective for high infection rates.

Agricultural practices

As additional measures to combat grape mites, the following agricultural practices are used:

  • if pests are found on the vine or bark, immediately remove these areas and burn them away from the vineyard;
  • sufficient irrigation of bushes under high pressure;
  • spraying plantings with soapy water;
  • regular removal of weeds.
Damaged plant leaves.

Folk ways

Before using toxic insecticidal preparations, you can try to get rid of the tick with folk remedies. There are the following recipes:

onion peel
It is necessary to prepare an infusion: for 5 liters. boiling water 100 gr. husks. Infuse the solution for 3 days in a dark place. After that, strain and spray the plants generously.
Henbane
Pour a kilogram of dry henbane black into 10 liters. water and insist 12 hours. After that, add to the infusion 40 gr. soap shavings, mix and strain. Spray the bush with the resulting mixture. You can also pollinate grape bushes with dry bleached.
Soap solution
Rub one bar of laundry soap on a grater. Heat a bucket of water with a capacity of 5 liters. and dissolve soap crumbs in it. With the resulting solution, use a sponge to treat the affected areas of the plant. After 3 hours, remove the formed film with a damp cloth.
Horseradish
Twist the leaves or roots of the plant through a meat grinder or grind in a combine. Mix the mass with water in a ratio of 1:3. Insist for an hour, then strain and sprinkle generously on the vines.
Ammonia
25 ml. substances dissolved in 10 liters. water. To enhance the effect, you can add shavings of laundry soap to the solution. Strain the solution, spray the vineyard.
real tobacco
Mix 400 gr. tobacco from 10 l. water, insist during the day. Boil the resulting infusion for 2 hours, allow to cool. Strain the mixture, add soap chips and 10 liters. water. Treat the plant with the resulting product.

How and when to treat grapes for ticks

In order for the processing to be effective and not harm the grapes and humans, certain rules must be followed.

Processing rules

Recommendations for the processing of the vineyard:

  • it is necessary to apply the preparations carefully, on both sides of the leaf, paying attention to the shoots and cuttings, the main emphasis should be on the inner surface of the leaf, since it is there that ticks most often hide;
  • with the help of one treatment, it will not be possible to completely get rid of pests, since most of the products are effective only against adults, and their eggs and larvae remain on the plant;
  • when choosing drugs, one should be guided by its principle of action: insecticidal agents destroy all types of insects, preference should be given to insectoacaricides - they are effective against ticks.

Processing time

Treatment can be started when the first signs of tick infestation appear, most often during the growing season. In no case can not be processed during the flowering period. You should also pay attention to the waiting period - how long after using the drug you can eat berries.

For a good harvest, follow all instructions.

Prevention of grape mite infection

It is possible to prevent the appearance of a grape mite, for this it is necessary to take preventive measures in a timely manner:

  • destruction of objects that ticks choose for wintering: fallen leaves, debris, cut shoots and bark;
  • high-quality grape care: the vine should not be allowed to weave along the ground, it is necessary to cut off diseased shoots in a timely manner and tie up the culture;
  • digging up the earth after the vineyard in the autumn-winter period;
  • destruction of weeds;
  • regular watering of the plant and its inspection for the appearance of pests.

Are there varieties of grapes resistant to mite damage?

Some varieties are indeed more resistant to mites than others. These varieties include:

  • Monarch;
  • Agate;
  • Timur;
  • Helios;
  • Delight.
Grape mite control methods

Is a grape mite dangerous for humans and is it possible to eat berries from an infected bush

It has long been proven that grape mites do not cause direct harm to the human body. However, you can suffer if insecticidal agents are used incorrectly when processing grapes. If the infection of the grapes is massive and parasites from the leaves have moved to the berries, such fruits should be abandoned - although ticks themselves are safe for humans, they are carriers of various infections.

Useful tips from experienced winegrowers

Gardeners with considerable experience in pest control provide the following useful recommendations:

Previous
pliersHow to remove a tick from a cat at home and what to do after removing the parasite
The next
pliersOrnithonyssus bacoti: presence in the apartment, symptoms after a bite and ways to quickly get rid of gamas parasites
Super
1
Interestingly
0
Poorly
0
Comments

Ask an expert

Thank you!

We will publish information shortly.

Without Cockroaches

×