If there are indoor plants in the house, the grower periodically has to deal with pest attacks, one of the most unpleasant and dangerous is the well-known spider mite. It has a very small size and is able to allocate a web, thanks to which it can move around, as well as protect its masonry. Ticks can live on a wide variety of crops, as they are omnivores.
Reasons for the appearance
Florists often wonder where this pest comes from. Spider mites can appear on indoor plants for several reasons.
If new plants have appeared at home, they must be checked.- it is possible that they are amazed. However, since ticks can be difficult to detect due to their small size, inspection is not always effective. Therefore, it is best to quarantine such plants for a little over 2 weeks to make sure that there are no pests.
Similar mites can also be found in the ground. Infection in this case occurs at the time of transplantation and rejuvenation of plants. Purchased land is no exception - it must also be processed before use.
Many of these animals live in gardens. Accordingly, exposure of plants to gardens and balconies can be dangerous. Also, ticks can be carried by the wind through open windows, and most indoor plants are located on the windowsills.
It is impossible not to say about the danger of the old flower pots, which many flower growers prefer to store in pantries. They need to be processed before use. Also, pests can cling to the clothes of a person who has returned from the street.
Signs of plant damage
Experts call the spider mite an ideal pest. It is able to reproduce very quickly, is omnivorous and at the same time easily goes into diapause if conditions are not too favorable for life. Masonry left by the female and covered with cobwebs can be found on the walls of containers, on the leaves from below, and also in the ground itself. The eggs have a smooth shell. They can remain viable for several years, not dying due to adverse conditions, but simply slowing down their development.
Plant habit indicates mite infestation. The main sign is the presence of a thin web, which is located at the bottom of the leaf plate and is a protective barrier for the mites themselves, as well as for their eggs and larvae.
If the infection is very severe, the plant will be noticeably wrapped in such a net that collects the dust and excrement of these small animals. However some varieties of the pest practically do not weave a web.
Eggs are another sign of infection, but it should be noted that it is very difficult to see them. The fact is that the diameter of each is less than a millimeter, in addition, they are very light or even translucent. They are located in small groups, from 1 to 3 eggs each, and are covered with a protective layer of cobwebs that create the most suitable conditions for development. It takes 3 days for the larvae to appear.
Such a tick eats the juice of plants. He can get it from anywhere in the flower. Small bright spots appear on the affected area, they are best seen on the leaves. This leads to a slowdown in photosynthesis and disruption of intercellular structures, respectively, their proper functioning becomes impossible.
These specks grow over time and lead to yellowing of the leaves. They dry out in small patches, and also become sluggish and inelastic. A cobweb plaque forms on top.
Finally, the last stage can be called leaf fall. The specks on their surface are connected, the leaf plate dries up and falls off. The more pests there are on a plant, the faster they are able to destroy it.
Kinds
To deal with a pest, you need to know exactly how it looks. Such a tick is arachnid, its body usually has a length of 0.2 to 1.2 mm. However, some varieties can reach a size of 5 mm. The duration of the life cycle of individuals is from 8 to 40 days. Approximately a week is required for the development of a viable mite from an egg, ready for reproduction.
Most often, it is difficult to consider the animal itself, its appearance is identified by appearance and condition of the plant.
There are quite a few varieties, but not all of them affect indoor plants.
Ordinary
These arachnids attack crops and can also live on houseplants. Their size is about half a millimeter. Both eggs and adults are yellow-green in color. Cultures are eaten at the roots. Several broods appear annually.
Red
These pests have a particular weakness for indoor flowers. Suffer from them, for example, roses, lemons, orchids and others. These mites are very thermophilic, so they breed well at home. Females are brighter than males.
Atlantic
These small green-yellow pests can reach sizes of 0.4 mm. For reproduction the most comfortable conditions are warm and high humidity.Of indoor plants, palms and citrus fruits are preferred.
False
The false mite is distinguished by the fact that it does not braid the plant with cobwebs. It is very small, approximately 0.2 mm. The color can be red or green. Such pests attack citrus fruits, orchids and palm trees.
Cyclamen
As the name implies, the pest is an adherent of certain crops. Most often affects cyclamens. If they are not found, they will settle on geraniums or gloxinia.
Cyclamen spider mite often settles in greenhouses. The most comfortable conditions for its active development are high humidity and heat. Very small, able to reach maximum dimensions 0.2 mm, so it is quite difficult to see it.
Accumulations of pests in appearance resemble dust.
Wide
Such a mite very rarely lives on garden plots preferring indoor plants. It is not too difficult in terms of the fight, as it usually does not hide its masonry well. May appear mainly on cacti, ficus or citrus.
cactus flat
Such mites are also known as "flatworms". It does not weave a web, for this reason it is not conspicuous, and there may be problems with finding it. Prefers to eat citrus fruits.
Clover
Despite the fact that this pest is recognized as a lover of cereals, it can often be found on house plants. It has long legs and moves quite quickly, hitting large areas. In apartments, he prefers to settle on ficuses and pereromia.
Ways to fight
The destruction of the spider mite is not a simple matter. It easily falls into diapause under unfavorable conditions, leaving it very quickly.
There are basic rules for pest control. Let's consider them in more detail.
The affected plant must be isolated from others. The pot and the place where it is located must be processed regularly. The earth during spraying is protected by polyethylene.
If individual sections of the flower have too strong a concentration of cobwebs and pests, it is better to remove them. It is also important to periodically replace the processing means so that addiction does not form. Repeated measures are carried out within the time specified in the instructions, even if arachnids are not visible on the surface.
When the treatment is over, it is better to transplant the plant into a new pot. In this case, the root system must be treated with biological products, and the soil must be disinfected.
Special funds
Chemical preparations require compliance with the dosage and frequency of use. They are divided into two subgroups, consisting of acaricides and insectoacaricides. Experts believe that the strongest effect will be achieved if formulations with different active ingredients are alternated with each other.
When using chemicals, it must be borne in mind that this pest is not an insect, so there will be no result from the use of insecticides. Consider the most popular drugs.
The Aktellik tool is in great demand. It has the same effect on both insects and arachnids, which are ticks. However, it is very toxic, therefore, when processing indoor plants, it is recommended to take them outside, for example, to the balcony.
This drug is very effective, so it can be used even with severe infections. It destroys even exotic types of ticks, which are rarely found on the territory of our country. The only drawback is that it does not have a negative effect on eggs, for this reason it will not be possible to limit it only to them.
Another well-known acaricidal drug is Fitoverm. It is much less toxic than the previous remedy, so it can be used even indoors. However, treated plants must be placed in a place inaccessible to children and animals. It is allowed to use the drug without a mask and gloves, the main thing is to wash your hands and wash your face after spraying. Affects larvae and adult mites without killing egg clutches.
This drug may have another name - "Kleschevit". It should be noted that maximum efficiency achieved when the ambient temperature is between 22 and 28 degrees. Without this condition, the impact is significantly reduced.
If it is required to destroy not only pests, but also their eggs, you can use the drug "Neoron". It is quite toxic, so when using indoors, you need to take care of good ventilation. However, experts recommend using the product repeatedly to exterminate all ticks. According to the instructions for use, there should be at least three treatments, and the interval between them should be from 3 to 5 days.
The drug "Sunmite" has a similar effect., which destroys not only adults and larvae, but also egg clutches. The main nuance is that it is used only once every 6 months, otherwise the ticks will become immune. The impact occurs only with direct contact, this moment must be taken into account in the processing process, which must be carried out as carefully as possible.
Quite often for getting rid of spider mites used a drug called "Aktara". It is very popular in the fight against various varieties of insect pests. However, experts warn that the spider mite is not an insect, so the remedy may not be effective. At the same time, many flower growers speak positively about the experience of using poison in this particular direction.
Folk methods
Spider mites can be removed using folk methods. They are safer and can be used without alarm in a room where there are children and pets. Turning to home remedies is advisable in the case when the infection has just begun and the tick has not yet had time to have too much effect on the plant.
Flower growers recommend using medical alcohol in the fight. It is diluted in water in proportions of 1: 10, after which a small cloth is wetted with a solution, with which each leaf of the plant is processed. This method does not affect egg clutches, however, it allows you to get rid of adult ticks.
It must be said that this method cannot be used on plants that have a thin and sensitive surface: fuchsia, rose or petunia. It is effective in the case when the pest did not have time to lay eggs. This tool is suitable, for example, for processing ficus or dieffenbachia.
Besides, spider mites do not like exposure tobacco smoke . This method cannot be called the safest for a person, however, in the case when there are smokers in the family, this bad habit can be used for good. It is enough to place the plant next to the smoking area.
Toxins and combustion products that are part of tobacco smoke can have a negative effect on the tick. However, it is absolutely safe for larvae and egg clutches.
Very popular for pest control various types usual laundry soap. It is most convenient to treat them with plants that have large leaves. With the help of soap, a thick foam is whipped, which is applied to the leaf plates and leads to the formation of a dense film that does not allow the tick to breathe and eat. The foam is left on the flower for 3-5 hours, after which it is gently washed off in the shower with a gentle pressure of warm water. After water procedures, the plant must immediately be covered with polyethylene, which will prevent the rapid evaporation of moisture.
It must be said that these actions will be detrimental to adult pests. This may require additional processing to get rid of the eggs.
This method of struggle is considered one of the most common and affordable.
Helps in the fight against spider mite and garlic. One large head is rubbed on a grater or finely chopped, after which it is poured with 3 liters of water. The tincture is prepared within 5 days. After this time, it is filtered and used to spray the leaves of the plant. The method is recognized as quite effective, but only at the very beginning of infection, when the number of ticks is not yet too large.
Prevention measures
The main task of flower growers is the constant monitoring of indoor plants. Only in this case it is possible to notice the appearance of pests in time. We must not forget that all new flowers should enter the rooms only after quarantine measures, which usually last from 2 to 4 weeks. Also, processing with folk remedies will be useful.
So one of the main preventive measures is a regular inspection. The fact is that a pest can appear quite unexpectedly, being brought, for example, through a window or clothes from the street. For inspection, you can use glasses or a magnifying glass.
The lower part of the leaves is checked most carefully, it is there that animals usually settle. If the plant has dry and unhealthy parts, they should be removed.
It is also very important to observe a certain microclimate. Ticks feel most comfortable when the air in the house is dry and warm. This is especially true in winter. Most often, plants are located on the windowsill, respectively, there are heating radiators nearby, which contributes to the drying of the air.
Maintaining humidity can be organized in several ways. For example, a florist can arrange basins of water around the apartment or use a special humidifier. Direct sunlight and drafts also adversely affect ticks, so airing should be arranged regularly.
If there is not enough sun in the room, you can use ultraviolet lamps.
Spraying should also be carried out. They help to wash off the web, and also give ticks a lot of inconvenience. However, it is necessary not to overdo it, because there are also crops that do not like moisture, for example, violets.
Rinse the foliage of plants under running water every month. To do this, the earth is covered with a waterproof film, and the bush itself is poured with water from the shower. The pressure should not be too strong, and the temperature should be between 25-35 degrees.
We must not forget that any soil should be disinfected. The most common methods are freezing and baking in the oven. These procedures allow you to destroy not only the larvae, but also the eggs, even if they are initially invisible.
The fight against spider mites is a very complex and labor-intensive undertaking. It is not always effective, and in some cases the plant may simply die. Therefore, prevention and detection of the problem at its earliest stages are very important.
Spider mites are widespread throughout the world. Each species specializes in certain plants. At home, most often, a red spider mite starts up.
Biological features of the spider mite
The spider mite belongs to the class of arachnids. Life expectancy is only 2-4 weeks, but due to their fertility, they are able to quickly spread through the plant and destroy it.
Unfavorable environmental conditions are able to survive only fertilized females. They hibernate under the bark, in dry leaves. In the conditions of an apartment, they find shelter in the crevices of the window sill, window frames, cache-pot.
With the onset of the warm season, the females lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves, entangling them with cobwebs.
The web in the life of ticks plays an important role:
- Protection from adverse environmental conditions: precipitation, wind, lowering the ambient temperature.
- Resettlement in vacant areas.
In greenhouse and apartment conditions, development cycles occur all year round.
Stages of tick development
- Egg. The rate of development of the embryo depends on the ambient temperature. The higher it is, the faster hatching will occur.
- Larva. After birth, she immediately begins to feed on plant sap. Unlike the adult, which has 8 legs, the larva has 6 limbs. Development occurs within 1 to 3 weeks.
- Nymph. This is a grown larva, but not yet an adult, which already has 4 pairs of limbs.
- An adult (imago), in the photo.
How spider mites get into apartments
The pest hits home flowers in the following ways:
- Infected plants brought from greenhouses, greenhouses, flower shops.
- Bouquets of flowers, both greenhouse and field.
- Through a window or balcony, especially if there is a forest nearby.
Signs of damage by a spider mite
It is quite difficult to see it with the naked eye, the size of females is approximately 1/2 mm, and males - 1/3 mm. Therefore, it can be detected by indirect signs:
- Marbling, yellowing, drying of the leaves. These symptoms are the earliest, when they appear, you should carefully look at reverse side sheet. There you can see a thin cobweb, and on it - tiny dots of black or red color - these are adults. They will either sit still or move.
- The presence of a well-visible web.
How to deal with spider mites
The following methods are used to control the pest.
Mechanical
- It is necessary to thoroughly wash the leaves, especially the lower part, with soapy water, using a soft sponge or cotton swab.
- Then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Close the pot first plastic bag to avoid getting soap on the soil.
Biological
The best remedies for spider mites are biological, because they are absolutely safe for humans, animals, birds.
- As a pest control measure, predatory mites are used: phytoseiulus (Phytoseiulus persimilis), as well as amblyseius (Amblyseius). In nature, they feed on spider mites. Predators are successfully used in greenhouses and greenhouses.
- biological preparations. They are obtained using strains of special microorganisms. One of the most popular drugs is Fitoverm, Akarin.
Chemical
This method immediately gives a visible effect. Chemical substances are called acaricides. They are used only in extreme cases if the areas are too large or difficult to process in other ways.
- Apollo. It has a detrimental effect on eggs and larvae. It does not destroy adults, but sterilizes them. Release form - emulsion in ampoules and vials. It is safe for bees and insects.
- Actellik. The drug acts against arachnids, as well as insects.
- Antiklesh. Highly effective drug, for humans and insects - toxic.
- Neoron. Detrimental to adults, larvae. For bees - it is not dangerous, it is allowed to use it during the flowering period.
Important: due to toxicity chemicals personal safety precautions must be observed.
Folk methods of dealing with spider mites
Folk remedies are widely used in the practice of getting rid of pests, as they are available and not as dangerous as chemicals.
Alcohol
Alcohol treatment is suitable for plants with large leaf plates. With this method, the leaves affected by the pest are wiped with a moistened cotton pad or an alcohol wipe. It does not cause burns, as it quickly evaporates without having time to cause harm. The method is quite efficient.
colloidal sulfur
From sulfur powder or paste, with the addition of water, make a 1% emulsion. For better adhesion, you can replace the water with a soapy solution. The treatment is preferably carried out by wetting, since the emulsion particles do not dissolve and will clog the nozzle opening. In a few days white coating rinse off with running water.
Kerosene
You can add a small amount of kerosene to the soapy solution - treat the plant with this composition. Then it is washed with running water.
Tobacco infusion
For 1 liter of boiling water take 50 grams of dry raw materials or tobacco dust. The prepared, filtered infusion is sprayed with plants from a spray bottle.
Important: processing, using folk remedies, is carried out at least three times, with an interval of 7 to 10 days.
Preventive measures
Spider mite on indoor flowers does not always start. With the observance of preventive measures, infection can be prevented.
- Newly acquired plant specimens must be kept separately for some time, in quarantine.
- Hygiene. Places where there are flower pots: window sills, windows, frames, shelves should be washed soapy water or wipe with disinfectant.
- The soil prepared independently, it is desirable to warm up or spill with boiling water.
- Maintain air humidity above 40%.
- Do not allow the air temperature to rise above 25C.
- Periodically treat with acaricidal preparations.
Spider mites on indoor plants are a frequent visitor, which is quite difficult to get rid of. To get a positive result, you will have to stock up on patience and perseverance.
Video: How to detect a pest, how to fight, an overview of drugs
As a rule, the tick can be:
- From the underside of the leaves.
- Between clods of soil.
- under dry fallen leaves.
As a rule, the main reason for the appearance of spider mites on indoor plants is the acquisition of the next flower in flower shop. Larvae or even adults remain on plants as a result of not proper care behind the plants.
That's why! Every time you buy new flower, you should carefully examine each leaf of the plant, as well as the soil for the presence of harmful insects. To be safe, it is better to identify the purchased flowers in a separate place, for quarantine. After 2 weeks, if no signs of pest activity appear, the flowers can be identified in their permanent place.
The first signs of infection of plants with a tick:
- The leaves begin to turn yellow from the bottom. Affected areas lose chlorophyll, discolor and dry out.
- Since the leaves do not receive the right amount of nutrients, they curl and fall off.
- The places where the colony of the spider mite settled are covered with a thin cobweb.
- If you do not start the fight against these pests, then the plant gradually weakens and may die.
The infected plant is immediately removed from its place and placed in quarantine.
From spider mites help:
- Vermitek.
- Fitoverm.
- Aktofit.
- Akarin.
- Kleshchevit.
- Agravertin.
Interesting! After treatment, it can take from 3 to 7 days before the pests die. These compounds are less toxic, and they act differently. Therefore, you should not expect instant destruction of pests or doubt the effectiveness of drugs.
If ticks multiply very quickly and biological products, and even more so, folk methods, do not cope with their task, then it is better to resort to the use of chemicals, the so-called acaricides. Some types of ticks have already managed to adapt to the action of chemicals, so you have to use 2 or even 3 different drugs. In any case, an effective remedy can always be found.
The use of chemicals involves the use of personal protective equipment, along with some rules. For example:
- Wear long sleeves, hat and gloves.
- For the treatment of indoor plants, the use of drugs of 3-4 classes of toxicity is permissible. More toxic agents are intended for outdoor use.
- Before spraying, the root zone is closed to chemical composition didn't hit the roots. Alternatively, you can use a plastic bag.
- Plant processing is carried out strictly according to the instructions. If the flower is seriously affected, then more than one such treatment will be required, and possibly all four, in order to guarantee the destruction of the pest.
Such drugs have such an effect:
- Sunmite.
- Floromite.
- Flumite.
- Apollo.
- Oberon.
You can prepare the following compositions:
- Onion infusion. To do this, take a medium-sized onion and cut it into strips or cubes, then pour boiling water over them. After 4 hours, the infusion is filtered, poured into a spray bottle, and then the leaves are sprayed with this solution.
- Infusion of potato tops. Green raw materials are crushed and poured with 1 liter of boiling water. After 4 hours the solution is ready for use.
- The use of celandine. To prepare the infusion, take 1 liter of boiling water and pour 2 tablespoons of green or dried celandine leaves into it. After 4 hours the solution is ready for use.
- Decoction of yarrow. It is necessary to take 1 liter of boiling water and 100 grams of yarrow. Boil the solution for 3 minutes, let it brew for 4 hours and you can use it, but before that it should be filtered.
- Dandelion infusion. You need to take the leaves and roots of the plant, grind them and take 3 tablespoons, after which the raw material is poured with boiling water. After 4 hours, the solution is filtered and used for its intended purpose.
Instructive! Soap solution is allowed to process only the upper surface of the leaves. Respiratory pores are located at the bottom of the leaf. If these pores are closed with soapy suds and then dry, gas exchange may be disturbed and the leaves will wither.
Spider mite on indoor plants - photo:
The leaves have numerous light spots, and if the colony is large, then the plant is covered with a thin, barely noticeable gossamer(hence the name of the tick) and very soon begins to dry.
They can be difficult to find due to too small size and color, helping to merge with the foliage (mites are brownish, greenish and yellowish). The females that stay for the winter are red in color.
Female ticks live less than a month, but during this period they are able to lay hundreds of eggs. New individuals appear in the clutch after three days. The most a big problem is that eggs up to 5 years remain alive.
They are waiting in the wings on the bark, in the axils of the plant, in the ground and even in window frames, on window sills and in the chipped flower pots. That is why the struggle with them is long.
Often a spider mite is brought from the shop, so a new plant should be quarantined for at least two weeks.
Tick species
Spider web on flowers: what to do? To understand how to remove a spider mite from indoor flowers, you need to know what they are. there are several types:
Indoor plants attack other types of putin mites: pacific, strawberry, red(flat).
All ticks are capable adapt to the most adverse conditions, slow down the processes of vital activity before the onset good conditions for reproduction. This state is called diapause.
How to fight at home?
Fighting spider mites is difficult, so it's worth doing prevention.
Most types of mites do not like moist air, and plants need to spray more often, keep moist on right level different ways.
Immersion of the plant in water rarely helps, because ticks are able to form an air bubble around themselves.
The leaves of the plant wipe both sides with a damp soft cloth, which must be constantly rinsed in hot water, so as not to transfer mites from plant to plant. Fallen leaves and flowers should not be left in the pot.
Pots before reuse must be washed with detergents, it is better to store them in rooms that are not heated in winter. Wash frames with detergents. wooden frames paint as often as possible.
The spider mite not only harms the plant itself, but is also a carrier of various diseases, for example, gray rot and spores of various fungi.
Treatment
How to treat flowers from spider mites at home?
All means will be effective only if multiple processing. It is also necessary to process neighboring plants, frames and a window sill.
Treatment
How to cure flowers from spider mites? If a tick is found, the plant must first be thoroughly washed with laundry or tar soap. Lather each leaf and each bosom, whipping the foam with your hands and gently working all parts of the plant. Leave the flower for several hours (you can also for a day), covering it with a plastic bag. Then rinse thoroughly with soap warm shower.
If the lesion was minor, then such a procedure will be enough, however, it is necessary be sure to repeat two or three times a week. The plant must be sprayed warm water twice a day and check regularly.
Wash frames and window sill hot water with anyone detergent. The rest of the plants on the windowsill also need to be processed in order to prevention. Spider mite does not tolerate fresh air and ventilation.
What if the defeat has gone far enough? You must first treat with soap, then spray with preparations "Intavir", "Fitoverma", "Karbofos". When processing a window, it is also worth adding "Karbofos" to the water.
Sometimes it helps quite simple method: near the plant put an open container with finely chopped garlic or turpentine, tightly close the plant together with the container for 2-3 days. The edges of the pot must be lubricated tar.
Ways to fight on flowers
How to get rid of spider mites on indoor plants? For each plant, it is necessary to select an individual method of struggle.
Orchid
Spider mite on an orchid - photo:
The flower is amazed many types of mites, for example, a phalaenopsis tick living in the sinuses. Spider mite on orchids - how to fight? First, the plant must be washed with soap and water, then treated with one of the chemicals, it is better to use a non-toxic "Fitoverm" or an aqueous solution of the drug "Aktellik".
Spider mite on an orchid: what are the control measures? To fight the tick, special sticks produced in Holland are used, which are stuck into the ground in a pot with an orchid. Action chopsticks "Plant-pin" and "Etisso" is based on the following principle: the substance of which they consist dissolves during irrigation, is absorbed into the ground and, together with water, is absorbed by the roots, from where it enters the ground part of the plant, the flower becomes unsuitable for ticks.
Soil, moss, orchid pots after purchase treated with boiling water for the prevention of spider mites.
What an orchid affected by a spider mite looks like and how to avoid plant infection - in this video:
Balsam
Ticks often infect balsams. If this happened at the end of summer, autumn or winter, then the plant must drastically cut. Wash the rest and treat with an insecticide, better drug "Alatar", since it is very difficult to get rid of a tick on a balsam.
Spider mite on balsam - how to fight? If infection has occurred in spring and summer, then the plant is treated with soapy foam, then sprayed with an insecticide, the procedure is repeated several times after 3-5 days. If the plant is not of particular value, it is better throw away and to prevent the appearance of a tick on other flowers.
Spider mite on balsam - photo:
indoor rose
How to cure and save a rose from a spider mite at home? Spider mite on a rose room conditions appears constantly therefore it is important to carry out prevention. But if the plant is already affected, then treatment should be started as soon as possible. Are there home remedies for spider mites on roses?
On room rose a web appeared: what to do? First, you need to wash the rose with hot, up to 50-55 degrees, water with dissolved soap. Leave the plant for a day under a plastic bag and then rinse with water of the same temperature.
Then you need to try processing garlic infusion. If this does not help, then spray with any chemical preparation, it is better to use "Neoron".
How to use a spider mite remedy on a house rose? In each case, when you have to process a flower, you need to resort to the help of various chemicals.
Spider mite on a room rose - photo:
Spider mite on a home rose: how to fight?
About, how to process house rose from spider mites, you will find out by watching the video:
Several Yet useful tips About, how to get rid of from a spider mite on a rose at home, you will get from this video:
ficus
For the prevention of spider mites, ficus is necessary spray regularly. Spider mite on ficus - how to fight? In case of infection, thoroughly wipe each sheet on both sides well soaped with a rag and, having kept the plant for a day under a plastic bag, wash off the soap with warm water. Then you need to spray the ficus alcohol solution of calendula, diluted with water, without missing a single sheet.
Effective leaf irradiation ultraviolet which ticks cannot stand. Ficus leaves can be covered oily drug and leave it like that for a few days.
Spider mite on ficus - photo:
Anthurium
If numerous colonies of mites are found on a plant, it must first wash with soap, those leaves that are severely affected, cut out. Then remove from the pot, inspect the roots, remove the damaged ones, carefully wash the roots in warm water and transplant into a clean container in new soil.
Then spray the plant epin. As a rule, such treatment is sufficient.
But if it was not possible to get rid of ticks in this way, then you will have to resort to spraying more toxic drugs, for example "Karate".
Spider mite on anthurium - photo:
Violet
Most often, violets (saintpaulia) are affected by cyclamen mites. Cut off the affected leaves, then spray the flower with the preparation. Fitover, repeat the treatment twice in 10 days.
Spider mite on violet - photo:
Dracaena
The plant infects a simple spider mite. The fight against it is to wash the long leaves in warm soapy water.
If, after repeated water procedures, the tick still remains, then you need to resort to an insecticide. For example, to "Fitovermu".
Spider mite on dracaena - photo:
The most effective prevention spider mites on any houseplant - washing under a warm shower with laundry or tar soap.
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One of the most tenacious and insidious pests of indoor plants is the spider mite. This arthropod pest multiplies rapidly and can spread to all house plants in a short time. With a lifespan of about a month, the female lays up to a hundred eggs of offspring every three to four days. If the affected leaves are not detected in time, it is very difficult to get rid of the tick and save it from death.
Types of spider mites
Spider mites have an extensive habitat. Their colonies are found almost anywhere on Earth except Antarctica. It is very difficult to see mites on a plant due to their small size and faded color. Only adult females have an orange-red body color. You can see what the larvae and adults look like in a photo or under a microscope.
Ways to deal with spider mites at home
Pest control can be long and not always effective. Females, when adverse conditions occur, hibernate, and the eggs remain viable for as long as five years.
The fight against spider mites at home should be comprehensive and systematic. If at least one plant from the home collection is affected, all specimens in the house must be processed. An infected flower is immediately quarantined to prevent further distribution pests. Not only plants, but also flower pots, planters, windows, window sills and other surfaces where ticks can hide should undergo anti-tick treatment.
Among the methods of dealing with spider mites, the following can be distinguished:
Washing the leaves with hot water is carried out at a temperature of 45-46 degrees on both sides for a couple of minutes. Water is also poured over the stems and the topsoil. The treatment is repeated every 3-4 days in the first two weeks. Then for another two to three weeks, a hot shower is arranged for indoor plants once a week.
For violets and other flowers with fleecy leaves water procedures carried out in the form of a sauna. The bathroom with flowers turn on hot water for maximum temperature. Within 10-12 minutes, the tub should fill with steam. The total time spent in the steam room for plants should be no more than 20-25 minutes from the moment you turn it on hot water. The frequency of the procedure is similar to the above-described washing with a hot shower.
2. Soap treatment. To prepare a solution in water room temperature dissolve shavings of household or tar soap. You can also use soft detergent for dish washing. Soapy water is whipped into a thick foam and applied to the leaves and stems from all sides, trying not to fall on the ground. Upper layer soil can only be lightly sprayed with a spray gun without affecting the roots. The soap solution is left on the plant for 3-4 hours, and then washed off. The frequency of rinsing with soapy water is the same as for normal wet cleaning.
This method has a lot of opponents who believe that soap clogs the pores of plants. In this case, the development of the plant is disturbed due to the blocking of the process of photosynthesis.
3. Spraying with infusions from folk remedies. Folk remedies in the fight against spider mites in most cases are ineffective. You can get rid of the pest with their help on early stage infestations when the mites had just begun to multiply. But they are safe for plants, people and pets.
4. Treatment chemicals . Since ticks are not insects, not insecticides are used to destroy them, but acaricides or insectoacaricides. All these preparations, to one degree or another, pose a danger to humans and animals, therefore, they require compliance with special processing conditions.
The specificity of the fight against spider mites is that these pests very quickly acquire immunity to pesticides. Already after 3-4 treatments, the tick stops responding to the active substance in the preparation. Therefore, acaricides have to be constantly alternated.
Folk remedies for the fight against spider mites
Each fight with a spider mite at home has individual characteristics. Folk remedy, which proved to be effective under some conditions, in other situations may be useless. For plants with tender and pubescent leaves, such actions are practically useless; it is better to immediately proceed to chemical treatment.
| Folk remedy | Solution preparation | Processing features |
| Alcohol | Ammonia, boric or medical alcohol is used | You can process "thick-skinned" plants: palm trees, philodendrons, ficuses, diefenbachia, hibiscus, aroid (alocasia, adenium, etc.), marat with non-pubescent leaves. With a cotton swab, all accessible surfaces of the plant are processed, as well as flower pot, pallet and window sill with window. After a day, the leaves and stem are wiped with a clean, damp cloth. effective method is when transplanting a plant, lowering the whole or roots into ammonia for a few seconds. In this way, you can process, for example, cacti. |
| Garlic | 1 way: 30-40 grams of garlic slurry (medium head) is poured into 500 ml of water and insisted under the lid in a dark place for 5 days. The resulting infusion is filtered and diluted in half with water. 2 way: gruel of one large clove of garlic is dipped in a glass of boiling water and left for 5-7 minutes | Before processing, the resulting infusions are filtered. Plants are sprayed with a spray bottle or wiped with a cotton swab, giving Special attention hard-to-reach places and bottom of leaves. |
| Onion | Method 1: 100 grams of husks are poured with 5 liters of water and insisted in a dark place for 5 days. Method 2: 60-80 grams (1 medium onion) of chopped onion is poured into 1/2 liter of water in a sealed container. Insist about 7 hours |
Popular and effective chemicals for the destruction of spider mites
To get rid of spider mites with the help of acaricides, you need to know the main active ingredient of the drugs and change them periodically. For processing, it is also necessary to know the toxicity class. Preparations with 3-4 toxicity classes can be used in the bathroom, and 1-2 classes only in the open air.Rules for processing indoor flowers with industrial preparations
Plant treatment with chemicals is carried out in 3 stages with a difference of 5-8 days. The hotter the air in the room, the faster the spider mite larvae hatch from the eggs and the smaller the difference between treatments should be.
When using the drug for the first time, its effect must be checked on one sheet. If after a day of observation the plant did not react negatively, then the treatment is carried out on all plants of this species.
The treatment is carried out at an ambient temperature of about 26-28 degrees, abundantly spraying a dry plant. Small specimens can be completely immersed in a 50% solution of the drug. To enhance the effect, soap is added to the solution.
Spraying is carried out up to 12 hours on a sunny day and up to 14 in cloudy weather. Until completely dry, the plant should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
Prevention measures
The best protection against the death of flowers from this pest will be timely prevention:
- All new plants should be quarantined for several weeks;
- Regular spraying, maintaining high humidity of leaves and soil, airing the room;
- Monthly inspection and treatment of flowers with hot water or steam.
Following these simple preventive measures will help keep your houseplants healthy and minimize the risk of spider mite infestation.
