How to permanently get rid of spider mites on houseplants
Fans of indoor plants constantly have to deal with pests. The most dangerous and common species is the spider mite. Small animals secrete cobwebs that protect their broods and help move to other plants. The main danger of ticks is omnivorous, they live calmly and happily on any crop. Consider how to quickly get rid of a spider mite while saving the plant.
Signs of the appearance on the plant
The body size of the animal (it is not an insect, belongs to arachnids) is 0.2-1.2 millimeters, rare species reach 5 millimeters. In most cases, it is difficult to notice a pest that has appeared, it is usually identified by a modified plant species.Ticks are dangerous with a short life cycle, they only last 8-40 days. In 7-8 days, an adult develops from the egg, ready to breed.Adult ticks have 8 legs, body color varies from whitish and yellow to reddish brown depending on the species.
The female lays eggs on the lower part of the foliage, in the ground, on the walls of the pots. She covers them with cobwebs. The eggs are well protected by a smooth shell; under adverse conditions, they do not die, but slow down their development, retaining their viability for several years. Nature has created an ideal pest - it multiplies rapidly, goes into diapause in adverse conditions, eats everything. A spider mite infection can be detected by the appearance of the affected plant.
Eggs
It is difficult to notice tick eggs, their size is less than one millimeter. They are white or translucent, covered with a dense shell. The female arranges them in small groups (1-3 pieces), braids with cobwebs to protect them and create favorable conditions for development. The larvae appear after 3 days.
fine cobweb
The main sign of the appearance of a tick is a cobweb, which is massively woven by adults in the lower part of the foliage. Colonies of eggs, larvae and ticks are hidden under its clusters. Some species of these arachnids barely weave a web.
With a strong infection, the plant is completely wrapped in the finest nets, on which dust and excrement of small arachnids (black dots) accumulate.
yellowing of leaves
The tick feeds on plant sap, sucking it from anywhere on the ground. A small white spot forms at the puncture site, best visible on the leaves. Cells cease to function normally, photosynthesis slows down, the conductivity of intercellular structures is disturbed.
Small spots develop, the leaf dries in separate areas, turns yellow, becomes lethargic, loses turgor and elasticity. The indoor plant takes on an unhealthy appearance - the leaves are yellow and lazy, tangled in cobwebs.
Leaf fall and dryness
Foliage loss is the final stage of infection. Separate spots on the plates come together, the leaf dries and falls off. When photosynthesis is disturbed, plant defenses are reduced. Large colonies of ticks literally suck all the strength out of the flower. They attack the ovaries and buds, deform even strong stems. A skeleton remains of the flower.
Where do they come from
Ticks enter homes and infect healthy crops in several ways:
- After the appearance of a new plant in the house, affected by a tick. It is difficult to find small pests; a newly acquired flower often hides eggs or adults in the crown. All newly arrived plants should be quarantined for a period of 2-4 weeks.
- Contaminated soil. When transplanting and rejuvenating home flowers, you can infect them with a soil mite. Even purchased land can contain pests.
- Place flowers at home in gardens, balconies and loggias. Many ticks live in vegetable gardens and summer cottages.
- A small, light parasite can be brought in by a tailwind from the street, open sleepers and vents. Most flowers are on window sills or right next to windows.
Often, old pots taken from pantries become hawkers.A person can bring a tick into the house on objects and clothes.
Kinds
Of the hundreds of species of ticks, indoor crops most often infect only a few of the most common.
Ordinary
One of the most common and dangerous species, as it is incredibly omnivorous. It affects most types of crops, only conifers are not affected. The common mite is harmful to indoor plants.
Tetranychus urticae grows up to 0.3-0.6 mm, has a green-yellow color of adults and eggs. In a year, it produces several growths, which eat crops at the root.
red
Red pests often infect indoor flowers, especially roses, orchids, calla lilies and lemons. Tetranychus cinnabarinus likes heat and reproduces well on houseplants. The female tick has a brighter red color.
Atlantic
This mite (Atlanticus) reproduces rapidly in conditions of high humidity and temperature. Body size - 0.4 mm, color - yellow-green. Coming from family crops, it prefers citrus fruits and palm trees.
Fake
Finding a fake tick is difficult due to the lack of cobwebs. Body size - 0.2-0.3 mm, usually green or red in color. Harmful to orchids, palms, citrus fruits.
Cyclamen
This type of tick chooses certain crops, the main preference is cyclamen, in their absence it will eat geraniums, gloxinias, balsams. Loves heat and humidity, often infects greenhouses. Small bodies (0.1-0.2 millimeters) are almost invisible on the leaves, clusters of mites look like dust.
Wide
The broad mite rarely dwells on the street, prefers locals. The eggs are poorly hidden, so it is easier to manage them.The food preferences of this species are cacti, citrus, ficus, oleander.
flat cacti
Florists are named after the flattender. This mite does without cobwebs, so it is especially difficult to spot it. Succulents and citrus fruits are more affected by flat heifers.
Clover
A cereal lover also does not disdain indoor flowers. Due to its long legs, it is easy to move and can quickly infect a large area. Ficus, pereromia, euonymus suffer from this type of mite.
Control methods
Killing ticks on plants is not easy. Animals have high protective properties, they can survive the dangerous period of treatments in a state of diapause. With the appearance of favorable conditions, they again switch to development. In most cases, only complex measurements and constant monitoring of color status are useful. Traditional methods help only with a small number of ticks, when the eggs have not penetrated the ground.
General rules
When fighting ticks, it is important to follow a few basic rules:
- The diseased plant is strictly isolated for the entire period.
- The place where the flower is located, as well as the pot, are regularly washed.
- Protect the ground from ticks with polyethylene.
- It is best to cut heavily infested areas of the bush.
- The means of treatment are regularly changed.
- When using medication, the recommended times for repeated treatment are observed, even if the tick is not visible.
After defeating the pest, it is better to transplant the bush into a new pot, change the soil, treat the roots with biological products.
Chemical products
When using chemicals, it is important to observe the dosage and frequency of use. For the elimination of ticks, preparations of two groups have been developed - acaricides and insectoacaricides.
Important: the greatest efficiency is achieved by alternating funds with different active ingredients.
Actellik
Used to treat bushes and soil spills. It eliminates the different types of mites well. Indoor flowers are best covered with a bag to improve impact and duration of effectiveness. Repeated spraying is necessary to destroy all individuals.
fitoverm
The drug is made from mushrooms poisonous to ticks and other parasites. The action occurs within 3-7 days. Eggs and larvae cannot hatch, so repeated treatment is necessary.
Neoron
The drug acts against different types of ticks, acts on individuals at any stage of development. Suitable for processing at all temperatures and humidity. The contact miticide causes death within hours of crop spraying. It is important to completely get rid of the entire plant without leaving dry patches.
Flumite
The acaricidal preparation destroys adult animals, larvae and eggs, sterilizes females, rendering their broods non-viable. Penetrates through the sheet to the bottom.
Skeleton
A new generation insectoacaricide, effective against all stages of tick development. For complete elimination, repeated treatments are carried out at weekly intervals. It is necessary to alternate with other drugs.
Anti-mite
A remedy with a telling name is used to combat different types of ticks.Valid up to 2 weeks. To increase efficiency, alternate with acaricides from other groups.
Folk remedies
Home remedies for ticks are safe for humans and animals, but often for the parasites themselves. They are chosen when the infection is not strong, there is still no visible damage to the plants.
Garlic tea
2 heads of garlic are infused in a liter of water for 5 days. Drain, dilute with a liter of water. Thoroughly spray the whole plant.
Onion tea
For the manufacture of onion infusion, 2 methods are used:
- 100 grams of husk per 5 liters of water, stand for 5 days;
- 2 onions per liter of boiling water, leave to stand for 24 hours.
The finished solution is filtered, the concentration is reduced by adding the same amount of water and it is poured into a spray bottle.
Alcohol
For treatments, ammonia is used. Consumption - 3 milliliters per liter of water. Desperate growers wipe the bushes with medical or isopropyl alcohol, using for plants with dense and hard foliage. It is easy to destroy flowers this way.
Soap solution
Dissolve 20-30 grams of soap in a liter of water, add a few drops of ammonia. The most effective are tar, boric or sulfuric soaps.
Vodka diluted with water
Vodka is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 1, sprayed on a bush or wiped with a cotton ball.
Dandelion root tea
The roots are finely chopped (30 grams), a liter of water is added. The infusion time is 24 to 48 hours.
Decoction of cyclamen tubers
In a liter of water, chopped cyclamen tubers are boiled for 30 minutes. Cover the broth and let stand until it cools completely. Wipe or spray affected flowers.
Infusion of calendula flowers
Fresh or dry calendula flowers (glass) are poured with boiling water (liter). Insist until cool. Use after draining.
laundry soap
72% laundry soap is one of the safest ways to get rid of dust mites. The infected plant should be well soaped, covering all parts of the bush with moss. After applying the foam, the flower is left for several hours to dry the soap.
The plant, washed with soap, is covered with a bag, not allowing it to dry out, and kept for several more hours.
cinnamon stone
The stone is obtained from cinnamon oil. The bush is treated for 2-3 weeks, with an interval of 3 days. Regular treatment is necessary, as the remedy only works on adult ticks.
Examples of lesions and methods of treatment of domestic flowers
Spider mite, in most cases, is not particularly picky about food - it gradually spreads to all plants in the apartment. The following crops are the first to suffer.
Orchid
The mite breeds in high temperatures and low humidity. Lays eggs in leaf axils, moves further to flower stalks, damages buds. They use rinsing, mechanical cleaning products, Fitoverm and Akarin.
Balm
Vanka wet is a favorite tick treat. The pest eats fleshy stems and leaves. The plant is gentle, difficult to fight. Use Actellic, Apollo.
indoor rose
Roses are difficult to treat because of the thorns and the large amount of foliage. The most effective pesticides are Neoron, Antimite.
Ficus
Indoor cultivation often suffers from common mites, clover and broad mites.Ficus loves moisture, for prevention it should be sprayed more often. When infected, folk remedies and chemicals are used.
Anthurium
The tick often attacks the delicate stems and foliage of the anthurium. If rinsing does not help, use biological (Fitoverm, Aktofit) or chemical products.
Purple
In violets, ticks gnaw the central part of the rosettes with a growing point, damage the leaves. Pest control is not easy - violets do not like water, do not need spraying. It is difficult to eliminate small mites from hairy leaves; thick brushes (toothbrushes) are used. Sprinkle the leaves with sulfur. The most reliable remedy is insectoacaricides (Vertimek). They are used several times, alternating drugs.
Dracaena
Spider mite is the most common pest of dracaena. It can be detected by leaf spots and stunted growth. The bush is washed with a soap solution, biological products are used, in case of severe damage - Actellik, Flumite.
Infection Prevention
Flower lovers should constantly monitor the condition of their pets in order to notice the appearance of the pest in time. Most often, a tick enters an apartment with a new plant. The newly arrived replenishment is sent to quarantine, separating it from the bulk of the flowers.
Help: quarantine measures last 3-4 weeks, you can carry out preventive treatment with folk remedies.
Regular control
The entire flower collection should be inspected regularly. A tick can be introduced by a draft from a window; the soil in which the plant is transplanted is infected. The pest can appear randomly and indefinitely.
When examining the bushes, you need to arm yourself with glasses and a magnifying glass, lift branches and leaves, pay special attention to the lower part of the plates. Diseased and dried parts of the plants are removed.
Respect for the microclimate
Warm and dry air in apartments, especially in winter, contributes to the comfortable life of ticks and the rapid growth of the population. Flowers often stand on window sills near heating radiators, which dry out the air in winter.
It is important to maintain humidity by placing containers of water or using a humidifier. Pests do not like direct sunlight, drafts. Rooms should be ventilated, in the absence of sunlight, illuminate the flowers with ultraviolet lamps.
Spray
Regular irrigation from a sprayer creates uncomfortable conditions for the pest, washes away the cobweb. For crops that do not like moisture (violets), you need to be especially careful.
Rinsing
Flowers should not only be sprayed, but also washed under running water. This procedure is carried out monthly. The floor is covered with foil, and the bathroom bush is irrigated with a light spray from the shower. The water temperature is 25-35°.
Soil disinfection
Before use, the soil for plants is calcined in the oven or frozen. This destroys eggs and larvae, which can remain viable for a long time in the absence of food and are activated when a plant appears.
The fight against spider mites usually lasts a long time and often ends with stunted growth, loss of appearance and even the death of the plant. This makes preventive measures and regular checks particularly important. In case of severe infection, it is better to use chemicals.If you follow the instructions carefully, they will not damage the flowers, return the health and beauty of the plants.