How to deal with spider mites on eggplant

Among all possible pests, the spider mite on eggplant is one of the biggest dangers. There is no escape from it in the greenhouse, rather the opposite – with a great desire, a colony of ticks will occupy all the plants. This happens because greenhouse conditions are extremely favorable for ticks to live and reproduce. In this article, we will look at how to fight and get rid of spider mites in a greenhouse.

Where does the

When trying to get rid of any pest, be it an insect or a disease, it is important to understand the mechanisms of its development, preferred conditions, biological cycle, weaknesses and strengths.

Spider mite sitting on a leaf

The spider mite spreads by air, on human clothing, garden tools, animal hair, on its own. It is quite difficult to prevent its appearance in a greenhouse, but it is quite possible to create unfavorable conditions for life and reproduction. It is known for certain that ticks do not like excessive shade; with a reduction in daylight hours, they hibernate. But at the same time, they easily hide in last year’s tops, tree bark, and upper layers of soil.

When favorable conditions occur – abundant lighting, low humidity and consistently high air temperature – female spider mites are placed on the aerial part of the plant, starting to braid it with a thin cobweb. Usually they are based on the bottom of the leaf. Spider mites start breeding in dry and hot weather, not disdaining to create colonies on weeds.

The rate of development of young individuals is very dependent on air temperature: at 15-20 ° C – no more than two weeks; at 30 ° C – ripen in three days. At the same time, the life span of each individual is at least 7 days, and a maximum of 30. In one season, 8 generations of spider mites can change.

Video “Features of growing eggplant”

This video describes the process of growing eggplant, as well as pest control methods.

How to recognize

It is very difficult to detect a spider mite – the body length of an adult insect rarely exceeds 1 mm, while the females are well camouflaged on a captured eggplant leaf or stem. The body length of the female is 0,5 mm, the body is oval, green-yellow in color with spots on the sides; the male reaches 0,4 mm, its body is of a characteristic rhomboid shape; larvae are whitish, translucent, have 3 pairs of legs. From egg to adult, the spider mite goes through 3 stages of development.

Leaf dotted with spider mites

However, it is still possible to detect a harmful insect – carefully inspect the eggplant leaves in search of multiple discolored dots. In the later stages of plant damage, the leaves acquire a characteristic marble pattern, a whitish web spreads along the lower part of the leaf plate. With complete inaction on the part of the gardener, the eggplant dies in three weeks.

Methods of struggle

It is necessary to deal with spider mites in a greenhouse in a comprehensive manner, since simply spraying with pesticides will not save you from the problem. Closer to autumn, insects begin to crawl in search of shelter for the winter, while often climbing up to the roof of the building or climbing into the cracks of the frames.

You can get rid of spider mites with the help of biological products “BTB”, “Bicol”, since they are developed on the basis of Bacillus thuringiensis. The disadvantage of the treatment with such drugs is that they cause an allergic reaction in humans and animals. If you are ready to take a chance, then use a 1% solution of the drug.

Among the low-toxic drugs, Vertimek is distinguished, developed on the basis of avermectins. His work is based on the enteric-contact form. Penetrating into the structure of the leaf, and then into the body of the insect, it gradually poisons it. You can also use the drug “Neoron”, which destroys not only adult insects, but also their eggs.

Phosphorus-based preparations have proven themselves well, which rather quickly reduce the number of colonies – Metaphos, Karbofos, Ethersulfonate.

Among the insecticidal preparations, Aktellik and Fitoverm are distinguished. They are toxic, therefore, when processing plants, it is imperative to observe safety precautions, and then thoroughly wash your hands, work clothes and tools.

Soap solution for mites on eggplant

However, if you notice the invasion of ticks already during fruiting, then pesticides should not be used. In this case, the fight against the tick with folk remedies begins.

Rubbing alcohol can be used to kill adults. Moistened with cotton wool you need to process the eggplant leaves. Unfortunately, alcohol does not affect spider mite eggs in any way, so the procedure will have to be repeated several times, or this method can be combined with other recipes.

A soapy solution has proven itself. In 1 liter of warm water, dilute 1 cup of grated laundry soap, and then spray the plants. It is advisable to carry out this procedure in the early morning so that the soap film is strong. You can also make a cool soapy solution and use a sponge to wash each sheet separately – the main thing is that there is a lot of foam. Soapy water must also be poured over the ground around the infected beds in order to remove the tick’s retreat paths.

Eggplant harvest in the garden

Tincture of garlic. Grind 3-4 heads of garlic into a pulp, pour 3 liters of warm water and leave to infuse for 5-6 hours. Strain the resulting solution, dilute 1: 3, and then carefully spray the eggplant bushes.

Onion peel tincture. Pour 0,5 liters of onion peel with five liters of warm water, leave to infuse for 3-4 days. Strain the prepared tincture and use immediately.

Remember that the fight against spider mites is complex. Protect plants in advance by regularly removing weeds, dead plants, tops and fallen leaves. Replace the top layer of soil every year, and also transplant the eggplant to a new location. Having found the first affected leaves, remove them from the bush, and then burn them. In general, all ulcerated shoots must be removed and burned, since they can no longer be saved, unlike the rest of the plant and its neighbors. Repeat the processing of eggplant regularly.

At the end of the season, be sure to treat the entire greenhouse with insecticides, replace the soil, or treat it with a 2% bleach solution. Otherwise, you will fight spider mites like Don Quixote fights windmills.

Video “Spider mite. Control measures and prevention”

How to deal with spider mites is described in detail in the video.

Anna Evans

Author-editor

View all posts by Anna Evans →
Exit mobile version