Earth mite: varieties, structure and shape, nutrition and lifestyle, prevention
Root or soil mites are a common problem for many gardeners. In small quantities, they are even useful and play an important role in the creation of humus, but when they appear in massive quantities, unfavorable conditions are created for the growth and development of crops. Often, fighting this parasite is much easier than detecting it.
Content
The role of soil mites in nature
The soil consists of living and non-living components present in various combinations. Soil mites allow microorganisms to fully exist in the soil, and also contribute to the solidification of humus masses, perform an important function in the mineral turnover, which allows plants to grow in the soil, and also act as destroyers of organic matter.
Characteristics of soil mites
Soil or earth mites are microscopic arthropods of the arachnid genus, with a special body structure that allows it to gnaw through the hard shells of plants and make passages.
Structure and shape
Soil parasites have the following morphological characteristics:
- body size 0,2-1 mm;
- oval body with a shiny surface, yellowish shade, translucent;
- 4 pairs of limbs;
- there are powerful claws, thanks to which the pest gnaws its moves in the soil.
Development cycle of soil mites
The life cycle of soil mites does not differ from the development cycle of other representatives of this subclass of arthropods and includes the following stages of development: egg, larva, nymph, adult. Pests reproduce on roots and tubers. Females are highly prolific and capable of laying 200-300 eggs in damaged areas of plants.
Nature of food
According to the type of food, arachnids are divided into several types:
They feed on the remains of organic origin in the soil.
They eat plant tissue.
They prey on small insects and invertebrates.
Types of mites that live in the soil
In the soil, on the roots and tubers of plants, 2 types of mites settle: tyrophagus and rhizoglyphus.
Rhizoglyphus
Rhizoglyphus or bulb mite can eat various types of food: onions, potatoes, grapes, ornamental crops and cereals. The size of an adult is 0,8-1 mm., The body is elongated, yellowish in color. The limbs are short and thick, each of them has large spikes.
If the bulb has mechanical damage, the pest penetrates through them and feeds on its juices. If there is no damage, he gnaws holes on his own with the help of powerful claws.
It prefers high humidity, the most comfortable conditions for it are 100% humidity and high temperature - the life processes of the tick are significantly accelerated already at a temperature of +15 degrees. The female onion mite is able to lay up to 800 eggs, of which larvae appear after 7-10 days, which immediately begin to feed.
Tyrophagus
Another name for this type of parasite is putrefactive mite. Its feature is an elongated shape and the ability to cause serious damage to the fruit. Under normal conditions, the parasite lives in the deep layers of the soil, but with a significant increase in humidity, it moves to the plant, giving preference to young shoots.
Signs of tyrophagus infection include:
- drying of the bulbs and the appearance of spots on them;
- turning the inside of the tubers into dust;
- the appearance of scarred brown tissue on the inner surface of the leaves, outwardly resembling a plaque.
The main method of pest control of this species is the regulation of soil moisture. Planting material should be stored in a dry room, it must be warmed up before planting. Bulbs with damage should not be used, but immediately removed. For the treatment of infected crops, phytoverm, nissoran, sunmite preparations are used.
Earth mite: signs of infection
Under normal conditions, pests live in deep layers of the soil. If arthropods become visible on the ground surface, then their number has exceeded the allowable values and they multiply too quickly. Other signs of an earth mite infestation include:
- the appearance in the root zone of the plant of numerous grooves, in which small white dust is visible;
- the bulbs shrivel and dry out, traces of rot are visible;
- tubers become loose, rotten, disintegrate in the hands;
- slowdown in plant growth, deformation of the primordia of flower stalks;
- a putrid odor emanates from the soil;
- small holes are visible on the leaves, resembling needle punctures;
- the presence of shells of larvae in the soil;
- brown coating on the inner surfaces of the leaves.
Due to their microscopic size, it is impossible to see pests with the naked eye, but they are clearly visible through a magnifying glass.
Soil earth mites: control methods
The fight against soil parasites must be comprehensive. To do this, use chemical, physical and folk methods.
Chemical exposure
Chemicals are a last resort for pest control. It must be understood that although modern drugs have relatively low toxicity, they can still harm a person.
Insekticidы
Insecticides are called non-specific drugs, the action of which is directed against several types of insects. To combat soil mites, it is advisable to use the following drugs:
Akaritsidı
The action of acaricidal preparations is directed against representatives of the arachnid class. The chemicals that make up acaricidal agents cause paralysis and death in ticks. The following preparations have shown the greatest effectiveness in the fight against soil parasites:
Physical impact
For the improvement of plants and the destruction of soil mites, in addition to treatment with drugs, it is advisable to carry out a set of additional measures.
Soil cleaning and filtration
The main reason for the active reproduction of soil mites is an excess of moisture and undecomposed organic matter.
These indicators can be normalized by cleaning and filtering the soil and restoring its balance.
To do this, it is necessary to reduce the amount of watering, for indoor plants, create drainage at the bottom of the pot.
Transplanting a plant into sterile soil
If the earth is heavily infested with parasites, it will have to be replaced with a new one. So that the situation with the appearance of a large number of parasites does not happen again, it is recommended to sterilize the soil. You can do this in the following ways:
- bake in the oven until the internal temperature of the soil reaches 80 degrees;
- warm in the microwave for 90 seconds;
- cook in a saucepan, falling asleep in boiling water and waiting 15 minutes.
Soaking plant roots in water
Before transplanting, the roots of the plant should also be disinfected. To do this, first of all, it is necessary to completely remove the old soil from them, removing the maximum possible amount of soil mechanically, and then carry out several root soaks with a change of water.
Traditional recipes
There are also folk recipes for disinfecting plants and combating soil parasites.
Decoction of tansy
A decoction of tansy will help to effectively disinfect the roots of the plant and prevent the reappearance of mites. To do this, you need to prepare a decoction: 100 gr. dry tansy pour 1 liter of water and boil for 15 minutes. Cool the resulting liquid, then lower the roots or bulbs of the infected plant into it for half an hour.
Preventive measures against infection
Most often, mites start in bulbous plants. To avoid infection with these pests, it is recommended to adhere to the following recommendations:
- potted indoor flowers should be provided with good drainage, plants should not be watered excessively, the pallet should be kept dry;
- planting material is recommended to be stored in sealed packages, in a dark and comfortable place in terms of humidity, it should be disinfected before planting;
- when the first signs of infection appear, measures to exterminate them must be taken immediately.