How to deal with spider mites on various plants

What do spider mites like?

It is difficult to name a plant that the spider mite would not like.
He loves cucumbers most of all, but will not disdain other melons, legumes, tomatoes, eggplants and any vegetables. If there are no plantings in the garden, the pest attacks weeds. The colony will multiply on unharvested grass and, when you plant cucumbers in open ground, the whole mass will attack your favorite delicacy. In the garden, the tick attacks fruit trees and shrubs. If there are no fruit or berry crops, ornamental shrubs and hedges will do. Each type of insect has its own favorite plants, but in the absence of the necessary crops, they will settle on any tree, bush or grass. In the spring, before the leaves begin to bloom, inspect all fruit trees and shrubs. If you see deformed buds, know that they have spider mites.

In a warm apartment, a mite can attack any indoor plant. The pest especially loves roses, dieffenbachias, and ornamental citruses. If you do not notice the pest in time, it can destroy the entire green interior decor. First of all, weak and diseased plants that are located in shaded corners suffer. Ticks do not like ultraviolet rays - in the summer, try to open windows and take flowers out into the air. From the sun, the bushes will become stronger and healthier, and the insects will try to move to a more favorable place for them.

Where do ticks come from?

Spider mites on indoor plants, which can only be gotten rid of if you don’t miss a single clutch or by spraying with different means, can appear for a variety of reasons.

Here are just a few of them:

• The flower was not purchased from a trusted supplier , but was taken from friends who already have spider mites in their apartment. To prevent infection of all plants, a new plant should be kept in quarantine. To do this, you need to place it in another room for several weeks and observe whether signs of the presence of ticks and other parasites or diseases appear on it.
• The plants are located next to the open window . Most often, flowers that are on the first floors of houses are infected. In this case, the pest can easily descend onto the plant from a tree or upper floor. It is also not recommended to keep flowers on unglazed balconies and loggias. In addition, you should not approach plants in street clothes.
• When transplanting or planting a plant, an infected substrate was used , purchased in a store. This can also happen if you take soil for a plant from an outdoor flower bed. To avoid such contamination, it is recommended to calcinate the soil before using it.
• The plant uses a tray, pot or tub that has not been used for a long time.
• A microclimate that is too hot and humid for flowers is created . For many pests, such conditions are optimal for rapid reproduction. Therefore, at the beginning of the heating season, it is worth removing plants from window sills and installing them further from heating radiators.

To prevent ticks from penetrating indoor plants, it is necessary to inspect the flowers daily, paying special attention to the lower part of the leaves, which is usually hidden from human eyes. This is important because it only takes a few days for the tick to form from the egg.

Why am I fighting spider mites in the greenhouse?

Spider mites are small, invisible to the naked eye, but a very dangerous enemy of the gardener. Its spread is especially harmful in greenhouses - at a comfortable temperature and humidity, and an abundance of succulent food - foliage - the pest is very active. The rapid reproduction of mites and the existence of pests in the greenhouse often lead to the death of plants.

It affects more than 190 species of wild and cultivated plants. The spider mite feeds on cell sap, weakening and depleting the plantings. Among my favorite foods are peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, eggplants, and melons. Arachnids prefer to settle in the cozy conditions of greenhouses rather than in open ridges.

I begin to fight the “invisible enemy” at the first signs of damage - the appearance of small light, yellowish dots near the central vein of the leaf. Then on the tops you can notice thin cobwebs - a quickly drying secretion secreted by the pest. The following symptoms tell me about the “housewarming” of spider mites in the greenhouse:

1. The appearance of white spots on the leaves (especially young ones).
2. Detection of microscopic living creatures on the inside of the leaf.
3. In case of large-scale damage, the entire tops turn yellow and the plant dries out.
4. In particularly advanced cases, the dead plant is completely entwined with thin cobwebs. You can see the swarming ticks even without magnifying instruments - there are so many of them.

I recognize the pests themselves only with a magnifying glass by the following signs:

1. The eggs are very small, round, yellowish in color.
2. The larvae are pinkish “spiders” with 6 legs.
3. Nymphs are yellow-green or brownish creatures with 8 legs.
4. Female adults are bright red in color. You can only notice it in the fall.
5. Male adults are ticks measuring no more than 0.5 mm. Their body can have either a pale yellow or a rich red color. They differ from other ticks by two spots on their sides.

Having made sure that it is the spider mite that has settled in my greenhouse, I, without delay, begin to eradicate it. And in the future, I don’t forget about preventing the appearance of the pest.

spider mites on plants

How can you tell if a plant is infected with spider mites? Symptoms of spider mites.

Let's look at the so-called symptoms of spider mite infestation. Unfortunately, the primary symptoms are nonspecific, so the tick is detected already when an obvious web appears.

1. The appearance of brown spots on the leaves, as if the leaves were pierced with a thin needle.
2. The presence of drying leaves on the plant, falling buds.
3. Slowing down the development of the plant and its growth.
4. Black or tan spots on the back of leaves that move.
5. A web that weaves around parts of a plant and the underside of leaves.
6. A cluster of individuals on a web (with a huge population).

Folk remedies

To get rid of a parasite such as spider mites, it is not necessary to buy expensive chemicals, since the pest problem can be solved using folk remedies.

To combat parasites you can use:

• Herb tea. A remedy for parasites can be made from herbal tea in an amount of 1 liter, mixing the liquid with one tablespoon of cinnamon and cloves (ground) and two tablespoons of Italian herbs. After the liquid boils, you need to remove it from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature, and then add two tablespoons of garlic (dried or pressed). Cool the solution completely and strain through a filter or cheesecloth. After this, you need to pour a little detergent and mix thoroughly. Using a sprayer, apply the solution to the leaves of the infected plant once every three days for 2 weeks.
• Ultraviolet. To destroy mites and strengthen the plant’s immunity, it is enough to illuminate the leaves for several minutes a day.
• Plant plants with a strong smell, such as garlic or geranium, next to the flowers. However, this remedy is only suitable for prevention; an infected plant cannot be saved in this way.
• Fumigation of an infected plant with tobacco smoke.

The means at hand are not as effective as chemical ones and only help in the first stages of infection, but they are excellent as preventative measures.

Instructions for treating home flowers

Spider mites on indoor plants, which can be gotten rid of using folk remedies or chemicals, affect a wide variety of plants. Depending on the type of flower, you can get rid of the pest more effectively.

Orchid

To prevent the appearance of mites, it is recommended to wipe the axils of the leaves from stagnant water. Rot and mites can also appear on the orchid due to excessive moisture.

Spider mites on an orchid

To treat a plant, it must be completely immersed once in water with the addition of an acaricide. After this, the plant needs to be dried well with napkins.

Indoor rose

These plants are most often affected by spider mites, so it is important to inspect the plant's leaves daily. If you suspect a tick, you need to wash the flower in water at a temperature of about 50°C with the addition of melted laundry soap.

After this, the plant must be wrapped in polyethylene for a day. The next day, you only need to rinse the plant in the shower. Additionally, you can treat the flower with garlic infusion.

Ficus

As a preventive measure against spider mites, plants should be sprayed periodically. If the mite has already appeared, then the leaves on both sides need to be treated with a cloth soaked in a soap solution.

After this, the plant also needs to be kept in a plastic bag for a day and washed with warm water. Additionally, you can spray the plants with an alcohol solution. Ficus needs to be kept in a sunny place, as spider mites do not tolerate ultraviolet light.

Anthurium

If a mite is found on the plant, it is also recommended to completely wash the anthurium with soap suds. After this, it is necessary to inspect the leaves again and assess the degree of infection.

If the damage is serious, then it is necessary to remove the plant from the pot, cut off the damaged parts of the rhizome and replant the flower in a new container with the addition of fresh substrate. In difficult situations, treatment can be performed using specialized chemicals.

Violet

To ensure that this flower does not get sick and pests do not appear on it, spraying with water should be avoided, since the leaves of this plant are very sensitive to it. Therefore, it is recommended to water the violet only at the root.

If spider mites and their clutches are found on a plant, then all damaged leaves and flowers must be removed. After this, it is recommended to perform treatment with Fitoverm and repeat it after 10 days.

Dracaena

If spider mites have infested this plant, then you need to wash the dracaena leaves well in the shower using a soap solution based on tar soap. If the treatment does not produce results, it is recommended to use Fitoverm.

To get rid of spider mites, you need to inspect your indoor plants. If the first signs of a pest are detected on the foliage, it is important to carry out treatment as quickly as possible. It is useless to get rid of insects mechanically, so only chemical treatments or infusions made from natural products will help.

Prevention of spider mites

There are a number of recommendations that will help prevent pests:

The purchased plant should not be immediately placed next to others and must be quarantined. It should last 3-4 weeks. To be more sure, it will be useful to treat the leaves and stem with acaricide several times during quarantine. Purchased or home-made soil mixtures must be treated. For example, you can bake them in the oven, pour boiling water over them, or steam them in a water bath. It all depends on the selected soil. It is necessary to ventilate the room as often as possible, and during hot weather, carry out frequent watering and spraying. To prevent spider mites from appearing in the garden, it is recommended to regularly remove weeds, which are an excellent springboard for the proliferation of pests

It is also important to remove plant debris, for example, old dried bushes.

How to get rid of it?

You can fight these insects using different means.
The easiest way to get rid of pests is natural cleaning, which involves regularly washing and wiping the flowers. To do this, use plain water to which a few drops of mild dishwashing detergent are added. A sponge is moistened in water and individual leaves are wiped with it, after which water is sprayed from a spray bottle throughout the plant, especially trying to get on the lower part of the leaves. The tray, pot and window sill should also be treated. If after a week the spider mites do not disappear, the soap solution is applied again. Not all plants tolerate this product equally well, so it is necessary to test the flower before applying it. To do this, apply a soap solution to a small part of the leaf and monitor the reaction.

Since spider mites do not tolerate high humidity, you can fight them with frequent watering and spraying of the flower. After each moistening, the plant is covered with a transparent bag and left for several days. In conditions of high humidity, the insect dies. To prevent the greenhouse effect from occurring and the flower not to get sunburned, it should be placed in a shaded place.

Preparations such as acaricides help rid the plant of this small pest.

But it is necessary to treat flowers with this product very carefully, because it is unsafe for people and animals. Gentle acaricides include:

• "Fitoverm";
• "Vermitek";
• "Aktofit".

Such preparations help destroy sleeping female spider mites and eggs of future larvae, so they are used repeatedly to achieve the desired result. If the room temperature is below +18 degrees, these drugs will be ineffective.

The plant can be sprayed with chemicals such as:

• diphocol;
• dienochlor;
• azocyclotine;
• phenbutatin.

It is not recommended to use the same product more than four times, as spider mites begin to get used to it and develop immunity.

You can make your own special herbal tea at home, which is used as an acaricide. To do this, take 1 tbsp. l. ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp. l. ground cloves and 2 tbsp. l. Italian seasoning. All ingredients are mixed and poured into 1 liter of water, then brought to a boil, cooled and 2 tbsp added to this mass. l. chopped garlic. Strain, after which liquid soap is added to the tea and poured into a spray bottle. This solution is sprayed on the lower part of the leaves every three days for two weeks.

Essential oils and organic salts work well against spider mites at home. Rosemary oil is used as an organic pesticide. It is necessary to dissolve a small amount of oil in water and spray it on infected flowers. The peculiarity of this product is that it has a detrimental effect on ticks, but leaves other insects alive.

Potassium salts and fatty acids have abrasive properties. They must be used in the evening so that the flowers remain moisturized longer.

The following insects are considered good helpers in destroying spider mites:

• ladybug;
• predatory thrips;
• lacewing larva.

Since pesticides kill all insects in a row, the spider mite population begins to grow because of this. Therefore, it is better to avoid using pesticides such as imidocloprid, malathion and carbaryl.

General information about the pest

Several generations of mites live in the web woven by spider mites. They reproduce very quickly. Individuals become adults after 10-20 days from the moment of laying eggs.

Low temperatures and high air humidity have a negative impact on the reproduction of spider mites. Also, under such conditions, the period of development of already hatched larvae may slow down. If climatic conditions improve, then a sudden mass infection is possible. In addition, spider mites move very quickly from one plant to another.

The color of spider mites is variable and depends on a number of factors. Most often, ticks are yellowish, brownish, or greenish. May have dark colored spots on the sides of the body. Non-feeding wintering females are usually rufous or red in color. Males are somewhat smaller than females and have a more elongated body.

Females emerge from fertilized eggs, and males emerge from unfertilized eggs. Tick ​​larvae, unlike adults, have three pairs of walking limbs. After the first molt, the larva turns into a nymph, and already has 4 pairs of walking limbs, like adult ticks. The eggs are round in shape. Immediately after laying, they are whitish or yellowish, almost transparent.

As the embryo develops, the eggs become cloudy and yellowish. The rate of embryo development is very dependent on temperature. So, at +15 °C the egg stage lasts about 15 days, and at +30 °C only 2-3 days. The total duration of one generation of these pests (from egg to egg) also depends on temperatures and ranges from 30-36 to 7-8 days. This must be taken into account when drawing up a processing schedule.

In autumn, a significant proportion of nymphs turn into overwintering non-feeding females. Some of them migrate from food plants in search of wintering places. Moreover, some move down, while others seek shelter in the upper part of the premises. So completely treating your plants does not guarantee that you will get rid of all pests in your home.

At high summer temperatures, some females stop feeding and also migrate in search of shelter until the end of the extremely hot season.

Folk remedies for spider mites

Despite the effectiveness of chemicals, many gardeners and summer residents prefer to use folk remedies for spider mites, the main advantages of which are safety and accessibility.

Decoctions and infusions

Herbal decoctions and infusions are widely used in pest control.

• Garlic (2 heads) is finely chopped, poured with water (1 liter), and left for 5 days in a dark place. The resulting infusion is filtered, the same amount of water is added and used to spray infected plants.
• It is good to remove parasites with mustard, the smell of which spider mites really do not like. 60 g of dry powder are diluted in 1 liter of water and infused for 3 days.
• Onion peel (100 g) is filled with water (5 l), infused for 5 days. After which the infusion is filtered and used to treat plants affected by mites.
• Dry or fresh alder leaves (200 g) are poured into 2 liters of water and boiled over low heat for 30 minutes. After which the broth is infused for 12 hours, filtered and used for spraying.
• Dandelion leaves and roots (100 g) are poured with hot water (1 l) and left to infuse for 3 hours. The strained infusion is used in the same way.

Soap solution against spider mites
A soap solution (20 g of soap per 1 liter of water) gives an effective effect in the fight against spider mites. It is better to use regular laundry or green soap to prepare the solution. It is necessary to wash the leaves on both sides with a cloth soaked in soapy water, avoiding contact of the composition with the roots of the plant.

To spray flowers and garden plants, you can also use sulfur-tar soap (100 g of soap per 10 liters of water). The procedure is carried out 2-3 times a week.

To combat spider mites at home, use a solution of hydrogen peroxide, which is prepared at the rate of 2 tbsp. l. (3%) product per 1 liter of water. Spraying is carried out once a week for a month, which allows you to destroy the entire harmful family over time. To treat the soil, use a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Ammonia

Ammonia has similar properties. The solution is prepared in a ratio of 1 tbsp. l. for 10 liters of water. The resulting composition is used to treat the leaves on both sides, which will not only remove mites, but also saturate the plant with nitrogen.

When starting to study recipes on how to fight against spider mites on indoor plants, it is better not to use dubious and toxic products. To begin with, you can carry out a simple washing of the foliage and surrounding area with soap solutions. Be sure to treat the stands, window sill, ceramic saucers, and pot. A strong solution with laundry soap or dishwashing liquid will completely destroy the arthropod enemy on the washed surface.

Medical 10% ammonia is a common remedy for various garden evil spirits. The popular ammonia helps against spider mites if you prepare it in the correct dosage, protecting the body with a simple cotton-gauze bandage for safety. Effective concentration – 1 tbsp. spoon/bucket of water.

For a long time, gardeners have tried to fight annoying insects with garlic preparations, because this plant is always at hand and treatment is cheaper for the owner than buying an expensive, but not always effective acaricide. Even a schoolchild can prepare such a drug, because it is not toxic, and the process of mixing homemade ingredients is extremely simple.

We use garlic against spider mites:

1. You will need up to 170 g of cloves.
2. Use a garlic press or rolling pin to chop the purified material.
3. Pour the pulp with a liter of boiling water.
4. Infusion time under the lid is 5 days.
5. The saturated solution takes on a dark color.
6. Pour the infused product into a spray bottle, diluting the liquid 1:1.

Almost the cheapest recipe that helps fight the microscopic parasite is generally made from waste. Onion infusion against spider mites can be infused on dry peels prepared in advance, storing the required amount in the attic or pantry. We prepare the product, following strictly the points of the old instructions:

• you need up to 100 g of husk;
• To fill this ingredient, 5 liters of water are required;
• infusion time – 5 days;
• strain;
• We fight spider mites.

Chemicals

The most effective treatment methods are modern chemical preparations designed to combat spider mites. It is advisable to choose special products, because insecticides developed against insects will not work. Acaricides and insectoacaricides help destroy ticks. You can get rid of it completely if you use the drugs several times over a certain period of time. This scheme will allow you to destroy adults and larvae that emerged from eggs after a while. Biological products are better for use because they are less toxic.

The most popular drugs are:

1. Neoron. A unique drug that destroys adults and eggs. Two treatments are enough. Dilute the contents of the 12.5 ml ampoule in 10 liters of water, mix thoroughly and spray.
2. Fitoverm. Biological preparation with a low degree of toxicity. Spraying with Fitoverm should be carried out outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
3. Aktofit. The drug is used in a proportion of 4 ml per 1 liter of water. For spraying, it is better to choose 2 days without precipitation, so that the rain does not wash the solution off the leaves.
4. Aktara. Used for most pests, but not for mites. Aktara is diluted at the rate of 8 g per 10 liters of water. Spraying should be repeated after 10-15 days.
5. Alatar. The biological product Alatar is diluted at the rate of 5 ml per 10 liters of water. The instructions recommend spraying 1 or 2 times to increase the effect.
6. Actellik. Actellik is a toxic insecticide with a pungent odor, so it should not be used indoors. Dilute 1 ml per 1 liter of water. It is more suitable for indoor plants, since the garden requires a large amount of it.
7. Anti-mite. An effective remedy against ticks. Anti-mite is diluted at the rate of 1 ml per 1 liter of water. The protection is valid for 25 days. Because of these proportions, it is advantageous to use it not in the garden, but for a small number of plants in a greenhouse or conservatory.
8. Karbofos. This is a broad-spectrum drug. Processing is carried out in dry, windless weather. The solution is prepared 75 g per 10 liters of water. Suitable for use in the garden, since 2 liters of solution are required to process 10 bushes. For details on using Karbofos, see the instructions.

A little about the pest

It is quite difficult to remove spider mites. After all, it is not always possible to notice a small, 0.2 to 1 mm, brown or greenish-gray insect with the naked eye, not to mention its eggs. But the extent of the damage caused by the pest is quite impressive, since the spider mite feeds on plant cell sap. An enzyme secreted from the salivary gland destroys the chloroplasts of plant cells. This is why the leaves begin to turn yellow, dry out and fall off over time. As a result, plants are stunted and sometimes even die.

Most often, bushes and deciduous trees are susceptible to pest attacks: mites settle on cherries, apple trees, and plums. They often live on coniferous plants. Cucumbers, seedlings, melons, cotton, ornamental plants in greenhouses and open ground can also suffer from massive attacks of plant parasites. Roses are the pest's favorite target. Among indoor plants, the spider mite is very fond of yucca and orchid; it is also found on ficus, cactus and lemon (ornamental).

However, before looking for methods to combat a plant parasite, you need to know what conditions are favorable for its spread, as well as at what temperature the spider mite dies. As a place of residence, arthropods select dry and warm places (the most comfortable for them is an air temperature above +27 degrees). When air humidity rises, they experience depression, so to prevent indoor flowers from becoming a delicacy for the pest, they must be sprayed regularly.

Preventive measures

Almost all types of ticks, with the exception of a few species, cannot tolerate excess moisture. Many gardeners focus on this feature and successfully prevent the appearance of the parasite.

With proper care of indoor plants, it is possible to quickly recognize this dangerous pest and destroy it in time. Therefore, there are proven methods for preventing the appearance of various parasites. For example:

• Every three days it is recommended to wipe the leaves of indoor flowers and other ornamental plants with a damp cloth. To do this, you need to take hot water and rinse the rag well each time.
• Do not allow the soil to dry out.
• Constantly remove fallen leaves from the flowerpot, which can serve as a hiding place for ticks.
• Flowers are regularly fertilized and the desired temperature and humidity are maintained. If the plant is strong and healthy, then even ticks may find it too tough.

Novice gardeners believe that they can get rid of mites if they completely immerse the plant in water. Actually this is not true. Firstly, you can damage the flower itself, and secondly, an air bubble forms around the mite. Of course, if you keep a flower in water for several hours, the effect will be obvious, but it is unlikely that any flower will be able to withstand this. The most effective way is to wipe the leaves with hot water, but this method will not be effective if many spider mite colonies are found on the plant.

In order not to spend a lot of effort and energy fighting flat pests, it is better to adhere to certain rules for caring for indoor plants. If you really like flowers so much and can’t live without them, then you need to care for them properly.

Now has come that time of year when even a tick can easily be “inflated” into an apartment by the wind from an open window. Those who have trees near their windows/balconies are especially susceptible to this. Also, ticks can be “airborne” from neighbors above, because they are so light that they are carried by the wind like specks of dust. They can be brought in with a newly purchased plant, if it is not first quarantined.

The biggest problem is fighting the tick, so, of course, it is better to prevent this matter.

I haven’t had any problems with mites for several years, since we moved to a new apartment, but this year I discovered a cobweb on the rose, and upon a detailed examination of the plants next to it, I also noticed disgusting living creatures.

Effective methods of controlling spider mites

If you identify the pest in time, you can count on a successful outcome. But the problem is that the parasite is very small, and also very prolific. The insect's body may merge with the leaves or stems of the plant, which complicates the search process. The easiest time to recognize this parasite is in winter, since females acquire a reddish-brown hue.

When starting the fight against a tick, it is important to know which drugs and which actions can be destructive for the insect. If a tick is identified, then you need to focus on an integrated approach in the fight against this parasite.

For example:

• If there are not so many larvae and adults, then you can resort to simple mechanical removal by wiping the accumulation areas with a rag soaked in hot water.
• If the pest is still small, then various decoctions of greens, vegetables, herbs and flowers, the aroma of which the tick cannot tolerate, can help.
• When a sufficient number of mites have already bred on the plant, biological products can help in the fight.
• If the plant is literally strewn with parasites, then it is better to use potent chemicals that will certainly destroy the larvae and adults.

The infected plant is immediately removed from its place and quarantined.

Biological products

Biological products are compounds that are considered low-toxic, so they are safe for plants and humans. But if there are animals in the house that like to chew leaves, then they may suffer. After the first treatment, such products destroy adults and larvae, but eggs and females that can hide in the soil survive. To be sure to destroy the parasites, it is necessary to carry out about 3 treatment procedures every 5 days.

Help against spider mites:

• Vermitek.
• Fitoverm.
• Aktofit.
• Akarin.
• Mites.
• Agravertine.

SUPER SIMPLE REMEDIES FOR SPIDER MITES!!!!

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Chemicals

If mites multiply very quickly and biological products, and even more so traditional methods, do not cope with their task, then it is better to resort to the use of chemicals, so-called acaricides. Some types of mites 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 requires the use of personal protective equipment, along with certain rules. For example:

• Wear long sleeves, a hat and gloves.
• To treat indoor plants, it is permissible to use drugs of toxicity class 3-4. More toxic products are intended for outdoor use.
• Before spraying, the root zone is closed so that the chemical composition does not get on the roots. Alternatively, you can use a plastic bag.
• Processing of the plant is carried out strictly according to the instructions. If the flower is seriously affected, then more than one such treatment will be required, but possibly all four, to ensure that the pest is destroyed.

The following drugs have this effect:

• Sunmite.
• Floromite.
• Flumite.
• Apollo.
• Oberon.

Folk remedies for spider mites

If the parasite has just begun to multiply and has not had time to organize numerous colonies, then you can get by with folk recipes of various compositions. The method is worthy of attention, since it allows several treatments to be carried out without harm, both to the flower and to others.

You can prepare the following compositions:

• Onion infusion. To do this, you need to 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 from 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 it into 2 tablespoons of green or dried celandine leaves. After 4 hours the solution is ready for use.
• Yarrow decoction. You need to take 1 liter of boiling water and 100 grams of yarrow. Boil the solution for 3 minutes, let it sit for 4 hours and it can be used, but before that it should be filtered.
• Dandelion infusion. You need to take the leaves and roots of the plant, chop 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.

Caring for indoor roses. Spider mite. Tetranychidae

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Advantages and disadvantages of “chemistry”

What do you need to know about the use of chemical industry products in the fight against spider mites?

1. Let us repeat once again: spider mites are arachnids. Most common insect repellents do not work on it.
2. To combat this parasite, intestinal and contact acaricides are used. Some also have an antibacterial effect.
3. Acaricides are sulfur and phosphorus. Spider mites have the harmful ability to adapt and develop an antidote against any of them. Therefore, when using repeatedly, alternate the drugs.
4. The main thing is to start treatment as early as possible after detecting the first signs of damage. The web, which will appear later, has a water-repellent effect. To achieve the desired result, you will have to increase the dose.
5. Remember that there are no acaricides that are almost completely safe for human health. When working with them, follow all safety rules. Read the dosage and use instructions carefully.
6. By using phosphorus preparations in your home, you threaten the health of all family members. If a problem arises within your apartment, think about how to get rid of spider mites using folk remedies.
7. As a piece of advice: in order not to poison your garden in vain, treat one plant first and look at the result (the duration of action should be indicated in the instructions).

Why is it dangerous for plants?

As you probably know, spider mites feed on plant sap, sucked from punctured leaves and stems. It is not picky in its choice of food and settles on both cultivated plants and weeds, in greenhouses and outdoors, on indoor and outdoor crops.

Adult mites and eggs are spread by animals, humans, and the wind; in addition, it is easy to buy infected planting material and not notice it. The colony develops very quickly, since in a year the spider mite is capable of producing from 12 to 20 generations in a house or heated greenhouse and 3-4 generations outdoors.

Leaves pierced and sucked by mites first become covered with white dots (at the sites of bites), then turn pale, dry out and die. A large colony in a few days can destroy the entire plant, if we are talking about a house flower, a strawberry bush or an annual plant. Of course, it will not be so easy for mites to destroy a large tree, but they can cope with this in a couple of seasons.

In addition, puncture sites become open gates for infections, which are often carried by ticks themselves. Their most common “companion” is gray mold, but other infectious diseases also occur.

In addition to this main reason why ticks are dangerous, there are several more:

• it carries viral and fungal diseases;
• spreads gray mold spores;
• makes the plant vulnerable to disease.

Before the insects have time to multiply exponentially, it is immediately necessary to apply various methods of combating larvae, eggs and adults of spider mites.

The following signs of mite damage to plants are distinguished:

1. Brown spots that look like holes made with a needle.
2. Yellow or light green dots.
3. Falling flowers and leaves.
4. Slow plant growth.
5. Silvery webs between the leaves.
6. The presence of small insects on the underside of foliage that look like red or yellow moving dots.
7. A large number of mites on the web is a sign of a large mite infestation.
8. The presence of black grains that are easily separated from the plant - mite excrement.

The spider parasite loves greenhouse crops with thick, fleshy leaves. Plants such as ficus, hibiscus, and fuchsia are most susceptible to its attacks.

Consequences of defeat

White cobwebs on indoor plants do not bode well, since as a result of mite parasitism, the flower will not only become very weak, but will also become vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections. Plus, such specimens become sources of infection, and if the problem is not identified in time, the disease will soon spread to other pots, which can lead to the death of the entire collection.

The danger of spider mites also lies in the fact that they are unpretentious in their choice of food and can attack absolutely any indoor flowers. In addition, at the initial stage it is visually invisible, but multiplies very quickly and in a short time a large colony of parasites can form on one plant.

In order to prevent this scenario, indoor flowers must be regularly inspected. The following signs will tell you about the presence of a spider mite, even before the web itself forms:

• the plant takes on a somewhat unhealthy appearance, the leaves droop, the stem loses its elasticity and may droop a little;
• if you look at the reverse side of the leaf blades, you can find small swarming parasites clustered in groups on them;
• as they spread to the leaves, whitish areas will form; at first they may be dotted, but over time they will certainly increase in size;
• after some time, the leaves will begin to turn yellow, dry out, curl and fall off;
• gradually the flower will become covered with white cobwebs.

As a result, photosynthesis deteriorates significantly, the plant loses the ability to grow and develop normally, and in the worst case, you may well lose this specimen.

On a note! It should be remembered that the spider mite will not always entangle the flower with its web. Representatives of some species secrete very little secretion, which then turns into very thin threads, invisible to the eye! But at the same time, when there is an overpopulation, pests are able to wrap the flower in their networks almost completely!

Why do spider mites appear?

Common causes of spider mites:

1. In summer, spider mites migrate very easily from area to area, being firmly attached to the web, they are easily carried away by the wind.
2. On a garden plot it can appear with purchased seedlings of vegetables and flowers, seedlings of trees, shrubs and grapes.
3. Spider mites are brought into homes with new potted plants, bouquets of flowers, or even on clothing, an umbrella, or a bag.

At temperatures below 18 degrees, ticks no longer reproduce and stop moving and feeding.

Therefore, during the hot season, you need to be very careful, wash your shoes and accessories more often, and inspect all the flowers that are brought into your house or apartment.

How dangerous are spider mites for plants?

Ticks have a sucking mouthpart and suck out plant sap, along with plastids in which the process of photosynthesis occurs. The synthesis of plastic substances in the plant stops.

Due to damage to a large number of leaves, the plant is depressed, stops growing and developing, and even dies. Oppressed plants are not resistant to fungal diseases. And the carrier of many of them is the spider mite.

Signs of spider mite infestation

The presence of a pest can be recognized by the following signs:

1. A clear symptom of the presence of a mite is a cobweb that thickly entwines leaves on thin branches and is located on stems, shoots, and flowers.
2. Multiple damage is noticeable on the leaves - specks, dots, thin punctures. The points subsequently merge, the tissues of the affected organ die and form large areas of necrosis.
3. Affected plants look sick, depressed, and lose their aesthetic appearance.
4. Sometimes mite secretions in the form of silvery or shiny stripes and spots can be seen on the leaves.

In addition, the grapes are parasitized by the felt mite, which creates dents from the inside of the leaf outwards. A white cobwebby coating is visible in the dents.

Ways to infect indoor flowers

A successful result in the fight against spider mites is guaranteed if the grower knows and understands the reasons for the appearance of the spider. Then the struggle will be successful. Various factors leading to plant infestation will help determine the type of mite and find effective ways to get rid of it.

A tick can get into an apartment or house from the street if there are trees and bushes growing nearby. It flies and quite often affects potted plants placed on the windowsill of an apartment.

There are many ways to penetrate and settle on indoor flowers:

1. Store-bought package of floral substrate for plants.
2. Store-bought plants or flowers transferred into a pot from the street.
3. A gardener's or gardener's clothing can become a vehicle for pests.
4. Gifted bouquet from the store.

The female or eggs of the spider can get into the flower pot during the cold season. When it gets warmer, the pest becomes more active and begins its vigorous life activity.

Flat beetles

Tenuipalpidae - or false spider mites (not to be confused by name with the flat beetle Cucujidae), of the genus Brevipalpus Brevipalpus and Tenipalpus Tenuipalpus. They are very similar in size and shape to spider mites; they also sit on the underside of leaves and move slowly. Their sizes are very small, from 0.1 to 0.4 mm.

If these images are not enough for you, you can also look at the spider mite photo.

In many species, colonies consist only of females, which hatch from unfertilized eggs. Development occurs in three stages: larva, protonymph and deutonymph. Maturation from egg to adult tick takes 12 to 24 days. The eggs of some species of flat beetles can be seen with the naked eye and appear as clusters of reddish-orange color. Larvae of flat beetles are six-legged, orange-red, translucent, nymphs are opaque, and dark spots appear on the body. Adult ticks are brown, eight-legged, and have a flattened body. Adult females live for 5 - 6 weeks, producing 6-10 generations per season. Many flat beetles have a pause (rest) of 1-2 days between moults; during this time they do not feed and remain motionless on the leaves.

The flat beetles are brown, but very small, looking like brown grains.

The puncture sites where the flat beetles are attached are dark dots.

Flat beetles do not form webs. They do not suffer from high humidity.

Plants affected by flat beetles differ in the nature of their spots. The fact is that most flat beetles have toxic saliva, which, when it enters plant tissue, causes necrosis. Therefore, brown or gray-brown spots appear on the upper side of the leaf. First small, pinpoint, 1-2 mm, then increasing in size. Leaves are often deformed, and in plants with dense, fleshy leaves (Saintpaulia, Gloxinia), the edges of the leaves begin to turn inward.

Worst of all, flat beetles are the main carriers of viruses (mosaic and ring spot). But what’s even worse is that the ideal conditions for the reproduction of flat beetles are a temperature range of 25-30°C and fairly high air humidity, at least at 70-80% air humidity they are comfortable, while spider mites at such humidity inhibit their development .

Dependence of the rate of mite metamorphosis on temperature:

• at an ambient temperature of 15°C: eggs mature in about 2 weeks, about another week for each subsequent stage: larvae, pronymphs and deutonymphs, a total of 33-36 days from egg to adult.
• at an ambient temperature of 20°C: eggs mature for about a week, about 3 more days for each subsequent stage: larvae, pronymphs and deutonymphs, a total of 2 weeks from egg to adult.
• at an ambient temperature of 30°C: eggs mature in about 3 days, about another 1.5 days for each subsequent stage: larvae, pronymphs and deutonymphs, only a week from egg to adult.

What does an insect look like?

It is difficult to see what a spider mite looks like with the naked eye. This is due to the small size of the insect: an adult individual barely reaches 5 mm in length. Insects can have different colors, depending on the variety (red, orange, green, etc.).

When examining a tick in detail through a magnifying glass, one can note the presence of small bristles on its long body, as well as several pairs of legs, with the help of which it deftly climbs leaves.

Pests hide in the soil of plants, under leaves or in the axils. It will not be difficult to notice a spider mite if it is actively reproducing and settling on a flower.

Let's consider the main types of pests that are found in human homes:

1. Ordinary. The mite infects young shoots and the inside of leaves, easily spreading to other crops.
2. Red. A distinctive feature of the tick is its bright red or orange color. Individuals are found less frequently than common insect species. They live on lemon trees and orchids.
3. Atlantic. It is grown where there is high air humidity. Parasitizes exotic flowers: citrus trees, palms.
4. Cyclomene is the most inconspicuous type of mite. It settles in flower tubers and on the inner surface of leaves. The parasite's web can be confused with ordinary dust, which complicates the process of pest control. The main condition for the reproduction and spread of the parasite is sufficient air and soil humidity.

Population and species status

Photo: Spider mite

The distribution range of spider mites covers a very vast territory: all continents except Antarctica. In total, this insect lives in nature wherever the temperature does not drop below plus 4.5°C. Moreover, in protected ground (greenhouses, conservatories, on window sills), ticks can be found in the Arctic, Alaska and even in the Far North.

The spider mite is an arthropod arachnid of very small, almost microscopic size. It is a dangerous pest because its “menu” includes more than 200 species of cultivated plants. Among fruit and berry crops, it can infect almost all stone and pomaceous species, as well as legumes and melons. The mite is especially partial to cotton and at the peak of reproduction (in heat and drought) is capable of destroying entire fields of hundreds of hectares.

Reproduction in ticks is predominantly bisexual, occasionally parthenogenetic. Only fertilized females go to wintering and enter diapause; all other adults, including males, die. Development in arthropods is incomplete and, under favorable conditions, takes a very short period - up to 8 days. In different climatic zones, spider mites are capable of producing from eight to twenty generations in one year.

One of the most dangerous pests of cultivated plants is the spider mite. They are very small, multiply quickly and can cause considerable damage to plants in a short time. Among all pests in crop production, mites are the most dangerous and difficult to control, therefore natural methods of control have practically no effect on them and often it is necessary to use fungicides.

Tags:

• Eleutherengona
• Panarthropoda
• Prostigmata
• Raphignathina
• Tetranychinae
• Tetranychoidea
• Tetranychus
• Acariform mites
• Bilaterally symmetrical
• Animals of Australia
• Animals of Australia and Oceania
• Animals of Asia
• Animals of Africa
• Animals of Eurasia
• Animals of Europe
• Animals starting with the letter K
• Animals starting with the letter P
• Animals of Russia
• Animals of North America
• Animals of the Subtropical Zone of the Northern Hemisphere
• Animals of the Subtropical Zone of the Southern Hemisphere
• Animals of the Subequatorial Belt of the Northern Hemisphere
• Animals of the Subequatorial Belt of the Southern Hemisphere
• Animals of the tropics
• Animals of the Tropical Zone of the Northern Hemisphere
• Animals of the Tropical Zone of the Southern Hemisphere
• Animals of the Temperate Zone of the Northern Hemisphere
• Animals of the Temperate Zone of the Southern Hemisphere
• Animals of the Equatorial Belt
• Animals of South America
• Interesting animals
• Ticks
• Shedding
• Unusual animals
• Dangerous animals
• Spider mites
• Protostomes
• The smallest animals
• Trombidiform mites
• Cheliceraceae
• Arthropods
• Eukaryotes
• Eumetazoans

Fighting spider mites using biological products

Preparations that, when ingested with juices into the tick’s body, block its vital functions and thereby cause the slow death of the pest at all moving stages, are more preferable to killing chemicals - they are not harmful to anyone at all, except for parasites that feed on the greens that are treated with them.

• Biological products after spraying do not destroy ticks immediately - they will die within about 8 - 12 hours.
• The eggs will remain invulnerable, so a repeat cycle is needed - usually 3 or 4 times.
• The solution is prepared before spraying, a maximum of an hour, and is not stored prepared.
• The method of mixing the solution is described in the instructions and should be followed thoroughly.

Biological products that have already proven themselves to work “excellently”.

• "Agravertine"
• "Kleschevit"
• "Akarin"
• "Fitoverm"
• "Vertimek"
• "Aktofit".

Biological products are based on the biological incompatibility of individual microorganisms and spider mites, so they do not cause harm to soil, water, insects, fish and people.

Signs of plant damage

Experts call the spider mite an ideal pest. It is capable of reproducing very quickly, is omnivorous, and at the same time easily goes into diapause if conditions are not too favorable for life. Clutches left by the female and covered with cobwebs can be found on the walls of containers, on the leaves below, as well as in the ground itself. The eggs have a smooth shell. They can remain viable for several years, without dying due to unfavorable conditions, but simply slowing down their development.

If the damage is very severe, the plant will be noticeably shrouded in such a net that collects dust and excrement of these small animals. However, some varieties of the pest practically do not weave webs.

Another sign of infection are eggs, but it should be noted that they are very difficult to see. 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 in each, and are covered with a protective layer of cobwebs, creating the most suitable conditions for development. It takes 3 days for the larvae to appear.

This mite eats plant sap. He can get it from anywhere in the flower. Small light 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 spots grow over time and lead to yellowing of the leaves. They dry out in small areas and also become sluggish and inelastic. A coating of cobwebs forms on top.

Finally, the last stage can be called the falling of leaves. The spots on their surface join together, the leaf blade dries out and falls off. The more pests there are on a plant, the faster they can destroy it.

Types of mites on indoor plants and which indoor plants are susceptible to infection?

There are quite a few varieties of spider mites. Knowing their characteristics, you can quickly detect pests on indoor plants.

Almost all ticks are able to adapt to different conditions. Therefore, even if an insect primarily attacks bulbous plants, after their destruction it can easily move to a violet or other flower.

Spider mite pest: description

Spider mites (lat. Tetranychidae) are a family of mites that are found everywhere, even in Antarctica. Representatives are grouped into 1270 species belonging to almost 100 genera.

Appearance of the pest:

• The tick's body length does not reach even one millimeter. Females, as a rule, are somewhat larger than males and are difficult to see without special means.
• The tick's body is soft, ellipsoidal with a convex back and smooth abdomen.
• According to its biological structure, it has two pairs of eyes, five-membered legs, 6 in young individuals, and 8 in adults.
• In the larval stage, individuals are transparent. Subsequently, the color of the ticks varies widely from light green to brownish.
• Dark spots appear on the sides of the body. These are intestinal sacs.

The spider mite feeds on leaf tissue. Mites suck out chloroplasts and form webs. There are more than 200 plants in the world to which they cause the greatest harm. The leading crops affected by this pest are grapes, soybeans, cotton and cassava.

Spider mite life stages

1. Ticks reproduce in dry and hot weather, as soon as the air temperature is above 25° C and the relative humidity is below 40%.
2. From 3 to 7 generations of ticks are born per year. If weather conditions are unfavorable, then ticks do not reproduce and hardly feed - this condition is called diapause.
3. Eggs are laid by females little by little, in a clutch of 1-3 pieces, they are small, round, slightly flattened. In total, all clutches can contain up to two hundred eggs.
4. If the eggs are fertilized by males born this year, they become females, while the unfertilized ones remain males.
5. The hatching of larvae occurs on the third day after laying eggs. The larvae develop over approximately 24 hours and enter the nymph stage.
6. Further development of mites under favorable conditions also occurs very quickly. In four days, nymphs of both sexes manage to go through three molts and two stages of development. After this, the individuals are considered sexually mature and are able to give birth again.
7. Egg laying occurs more often in the ground, under fallen leaves, on the roots of plants, the back of leaves, and in potted culture - on the walls of pots.

How do spider mites overwinter?

Only female individuals enter the wintering stage. From late summer until next spring they are orange-red or bright red, and the males die. Pest eggs can also overwinter.

Spider mites overwinter in a state of diapause:

• on plant residues;
• on fallen leaves;
• in bee hives;
• on details of fences;
• on greenhouse structures;
• in stored garbage;
• in boxes;
• in old things.

Females can burrow into the ground for wintering to a depth of 20 cm.

What is a spider mite and how does it reproduce? Life cycle of a spider mite.

Spider mites are small insects whose size does not exceed 0.5 mm. It is very difficult to notice on a plant because with a small number of individuals, they rarely give themselves away, since they are very small and sit on the opposite side of the leaf. And even if we notice some dark grains, we most likely attribute it to careless watering and grains of soil getting onto the leaf. As a rule, the characteristic appearance of cobwebs means only one thing - there are too many ticks and they need to be dealt with immediately.

The tick reproduces very quickly: under favorable conditions, the female lays up to 250-300 eggs in 2-3 weeks, after which she dies. Favorable conditions for the development of spider mites are dryness and high temperature. The development cycle of a spider mite includes the following stages: egg, larva, protonymph, deuteronymph (in females), and adult. As a rule, from the very first stage (egg) to the adult individual it takes from 10 to 20 days, all other things being equal. So how does a mite harm a plant?

Why are spider mites dangerous?

As you probably know, spider mites feed on plant sap, sucked from punctured leaves and stems. It is not picky in its choice of food and settles on both cultivated plants and weeds, in greenhouses and outdoors, on indoor and outdoor crops.

Adult mites and eggs are spread by animals, humans, and the wind; in addition, it is easy to buy infected planting material and not notice it. The colony develops very quickly, since in a year the spider mite is capable of producing from 12 to 20 generations in a house or heated greenhouse and 3-4 generations outdoors.

Leaves pierced and sucked by mites first become covered with white dots (at the sites of bites), then turn pale, dry out and die. A large colony in a few days can destroy the entire plant, if we are talking about a house flower, a strawberry bush or an annual plant. Of course, it will not be so easy for mites to destroy a large tree, but they can cope with this in a couple of seasons.

In addition, puncture sites become open gates for infections, which are often carried by ticks themselves. Their most common “companion” is gray mold, but other infectious diseases also occur.

Does a tick form a web?

A sign of the appearance of a common spider mite is the formation of a barely noticeable web on indoor plants. It is difficult to see the web with the naked eye due to its small size and excessive thinness.

Another symptom of flower damage by an arthropod pest is the presence of white spots on the inside of the leaves. The infected crop does not receive enough nutrients from the soil and eventually dies.

The danger of infection lies in the fact that female parasites during a short period of existence (up to 1 month) are capable of laying several hundred eggs, which remain viable for up to 5 years.

Masonry can be located in secluded places (soil, plant axils). For this reason, pest control takes a long time.

Important advice! It is advisable to isolate a houseplant purchased from a store from others for 2-3 weeks.