Causes of spider mites
Mites can appear on all plants, including indoor ones. The first signs of a tick infestation may not be obvious and may only appear when there is a large concentration of the pest. The following factors may cause this problem:
- Introducing mites into new plants. Most often, this problem occurs in indoor plants when new flowers purchased from nurseries appear.
- Use of low-quality fertilizers. The larvae can accumulate in humus, which is used to fertilize plants.
- In the garden, insects can be carried by the wind because they are light in weight. In the same way, insects can be carried onto open balconies and loggias.
- Larvae can accumulate on garden tools, so it is necessary to promptly disinfect them.
The mite can also be introduced during sowing of seeds if the planting material is not disinfected in a timely manner.
Prevention
In many ways, the timely detection of spider mites depends on the plant owners: inspect your plants as often and thoroughly as possible. At an early stage of pest spread, it will be easier to destroy it.
The tick develops quickly and rapidly in the following conditions: lack of wind, lack of high humidity, high air temperature.
Necessary preventive measures:
- use various available methods to increase air humidity (install a commercial humidifier or place a container of water next to the plants);
- wash the leaves on both sides or irrigate with water several times a day;
- leave indoor plants outside (on the porch, on the balcony) during the warm months;
- ventilate the premises more often, allow for drafts;
- dry leaves should be torn off and removed immediately;
- When bringing a new plant into the house, place it away from other plants for a month.
Damage from insects
The insect, after appearing on the plant, begins to feed on the sap and leads to the death of the crop. The pest is small in size and cannot be immediately noticed by humans. However, a tick infestation is manifested by the following symptoms:
- the appearance of small black or yellow dots on the back of the leaves;
- leaves become weak and yellow;
- the plant withers;
- cobwebs appear on leaves and stems.
Infected plants do not form flower stalks and practically do not produce young shoots. Such plants must be isolated and treated with chemicals.
Aphid
This insect does not attack adenium as often as others, but loves to feast on it. It is not difficult to notice aphids and their larvae on a plant - the insects are quite large, usually gray-green in color. There are a large number of species of this pest. Anyone who lives in your area can live on green pets.
The first sign of proximity to aphids is leaves curled like horns. If you notice something similar on your adeniums, it is worth examining the underside of the leaf, where this parasite likes to hide.
A colony of aphids on oleander - a close relative of adenium |
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Treatment
This pest can easily enter a house from the street, but it is easy to overcome: it is enough to carry out just one or two treatments with an insecticide.
The following drugs are suitable: “Aktara”, “Mospilan”, “Confidor”, “Fitoverm”, “Fufanon”.
Rating of the best drugs
Among the large assortment of anti-spider mite remedies, you need to pay attention to the following drugs.
Acaricides for pest control
The drugs are specially designed to combat all types of ticks. They contact the pest and eliminate not only the insect, but also its eggs.
Apollo, KS
The product is effectively used against all types of mites in the garden. Can be used in early spring or autumn for pest prevention. To treat the problem, it is necessary to carry out several treatments with an interval of at least 5 weeks between spraying. For preventive purposes, one procedure is sufficient.
The product is not toxic to humans and does not harm plants. It has a detrimental effect not only on adult insects, but also on larvae. The substance is also very popular when treating indoor plants. Produced in 1 liter plastic bottles. The bottle contains detailed instructions for preparing the working solution.
Apollo, KS against spider mites
Advantages:
- suitable for all seasons;
- does not harm the plant;
- safe for humans and beneficial insects;
- economical use of the product.
Flaws:
- after rain, the procedure must be repeated.
Cost - 240 rubles.
Omite
An ideal remedy for pest control on ornamental plants, however, many summer residents also use it to treat trees. Effectively fights against ticks and their larvae. After spraying, the positive result lasts for 3-4 weeks, after which it is recommended to repeat the treatment.
It is important to know that the drug is toxic to people, so processing must be carried out in personal protective equipment. When using the substance indoors, the room must be thoroughly ventilated after treatment. The liquid is produced in convenient ampoules and plastic bottles, with detailed instructions for preparing the solution.
Omite against spider mites
Advantages:
- effectively eliminates adult insects;
- does not affect culture;
- affordable price.
Flaws:
- does not eliminate pest eggs.
Price - 50 rubles.
Flumite, KS
The product from a Russian manufacturer has a contact effect on the insect. After spraying, the substance sinks into the upper layers of the leaves and prevents the problem from recurring. Can be used both for pest control and for preventive purposes. Suitable for use during flowering period.
However, you need to know that the substance has a cumulative effect, so treatment should be carried out no more than once a season. For indoor plants, the treatment period is no more than once a year.
Flumite, KS against spider mites
Advantages:
- quick results;
- eliminates all types of pests;
- Suitable for indoor plants.
Flaws:
- not suitable for frequent use
Cost - 100 rubles.
Insectoacaricidal agents
They are used not only against spider mites, but also against other types of harmful insects.
Vertimek
The drug is often used to eliminate pests in the garden. The product will be an ideal option for processing in greenhouse conditions. The substance has a gentle effect on the problem and does not harm crops. The drug is produced in concentrated form, so before using it, it must be diluted with warm water, depending on the type of crop. Often used for processing fruit trees, tomatoes and eggplants.
The product is absolutely safe for humans and can be used during the ripening period. After spraying, it is recommended to harvest in 2-3 days. If there is a large accumulation of the pest, the spraying procedure is repeated, with an interval of at least 10 days.
Can be used in autumn to prevent insects. The product penetrates deeply into the bark and eliminates eggs. Retains its effect for a month.
Vertimek against spider mites
Advantages:
- effectively fights pests;
- does not harm animals or humans;
- used during the period of bud formation;
- economical spending.
Flaws:
- not detected.
Cost - from 150 rubles.
Aktellik
The substance effectively fights spider mites on ornamental and garden plants. The emulsion achieves its effectiveness even when used in the hot season. After spraying, it quickly penetrates the leaf blade and protects the crop from re-infection for a month. Can be used in complex treatment with other drugs.
It has a contact effect on all types of pests, without affecting the growth and development of the plant. The product is safe for people and animals. It has an affordable price and a long shelf life.
Actellik against spider mites
Advantages:
- easy to use;
- budget cost;
- long lasting result.
Flaws:
- not used near bodies of water.
Cost - from 50 rubles.
Fufanon
The wide spectrum of action of this drug makes it popular among summer residents. Used for processing in spring and summer. It also gives good results during the period of autumn preventive treatment. It is widely used not only for spraying, but also for treating tree trunk soil, since most of the mite eggs can be found in fallen leaves and soil.
It is produced in the form of a powder that must be diluted in warm water. During the treatment period, it is recommended to use gloves and a protective mask.
Fufanon against spider mites
Advantages:
- wide range of applications;
- the result lasts up to 1 month.
Flaws:
- may lead to poisoning.
The cost of one sachet is from 20 rubles.
Talstar
When treating trees in the garden, it is necessary to choose products that do not harm bees and other pollinators. Therefore, Talstar is often used, with which you can gently eliminate the problem. Despite the fact that the substance is safe for humans and animals, the active substances eliminate ticks and their larvae. After treatment, the effect lasts for a month, after which it is recommended to re-spray.
Talstar against spider mites
Advantages:
- a new formula that effectively fights pests;
- does not harm crops;
- safe for humans.
Flaws:
- not found.
Cost - from 100 rubles.
Biological products
The use of biological products allows you to quickly eliminate the pest without causing harm to the plant and humans.
Spidermite Control
The peculiarity of this drug is that it can be used often to eliminate ticks. The substance consists of natural oils, which, after spraying, form a dense film on the foliage and lead to the death of mites. The product does not contain chemical compounds that can harm humans and plants. The result lasts for 10-15 days, after which the spraying procedure is repeated if necessary.
The substance is ideal if you need to treat fruit trees before harvesting. However, you need to know that the substance fights adult insects. Without affecting their eggs.
Spidermite Control against spider mites
Advantages:
- safe composition;
- the result is noticeable within a day after treatment;
- One bottle lasts for a long period.
Flaws:
- high price.
Cost - 1300 rubles.
Fitoverm
A product that is time-tested and regularly produces positive results. Fitoverm contains bacteria that, when they enter the intestinal tract of the pest, destroy it from the inside. After spraying, the substance penetrates the leaf plate and remains there for a month. The drug is effective against all types of pests and their larvae.
The first result is noticeable 5 hours after treatment. In order to get maximum results from use, it is recommended to spray after sunset. Since at high temperatures burns may appear on young leaves.
Fitoverm against spider mites
Advantages:
- quick results;
- does not harm the culture;
- can be used for indoor flowers.
Flaws:
- To completely remove the pest, several treatments are necessary.
The cost of a sachet is 4 ml. - 20 rubles.
Bitoxibacillin
The drug is considered one of the safest for humans. The death of ticks is achieved by the penetration of beneficial bacteria into the food tract. After spraying, the first noticeable result appears within a day. Complete death of ticks begins after 4-5 days.
Often the drug is used to treat beds and fruit trees. Also, high results are noticeable when processing seedlings in greenhouses and indoor flowers. The advantage of this substance is that it can be used for spraying indoors where there are pets.
The product is available in powder form, which must be dissolved in water to obtain a working solution. Depending on the area to be treated, you can purchase 20 gram sachets or larger containers.
Bitoxibacillin against spider mites
Advantages:
- does not affect crop ripening;
- suitable against more insects;
- easy to use;
- suitable for indoor flowers;
- safe for humans.
Flaws:
- not identified.
Cost - from 30 rubles per 20 gram sachet.
Kleschevit
This substance is classified as biological, as it does not harm the plant and can be used for treatment every 15 days. Used against insects such as spider mites, aphids and whiteflies. It has a contact effect and leads to the death of pests 3 days after treatment.
Please note that for the drug to be effective, spraying must be carried out in sunny weather. Since the maximum result is achieved at high temperatures, the substance is not recommended for use in autumn prevention.
Tick ticks against spider mites
Advantages:
- can be used to treat all types of plants;
- easy to use.
Flaws:
- used only during hot periods.
Cost - from 40 rubles for a 4 ml sachet.
Mikorad
The product is effectively used to prevent the appearance of ticks. Externally it looks like a fertilizer containing a large number of beneficial bacteria. Fertilizer is applied in autumn or early spring. The product is used for garden and indoor plants.
As the plant grows, it becomes immune to the pest and repels other insects. In addition, the fertilizer contains all the necessary elements for rapid crop growth.
Mikorad against spider mites
Advantages:
- complex effect on the plant;
- saturates the soil with useful minerals;
- non-toxic for humans and animals.
Flaws:
- used only for prevention.
Cost - 350 rubles.
A super scheme for fighting spider mites without chemicals at home.
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.
Traditional methods
In order to get rid of spider mites, you can use folk methods and homemade remedies. The most effective include:
- Soap solution and ash. 200 grams of ash must be dissolved in 5 liters of water and add a crushed bar of laundry soap. Stir thoroughly until the soap dissolves and spray the damaged plants. Repeat the procedure after 10 days.
- Garlic infusion. Pass 100 grams of garlic through a press and add a liter of water. Leave for 2 days, then strain and dilute in 5 liters of warm water. Spray the crop with the resulting solution. This method is also effective against aphids on eggplants.
- Onion peel. This method is suitable for all types of plants. To prepare, you need to pour 1 kg of husk with 5 liters of water and leave for several days. Strain the resulting solution and treat the beds.
- Alcohol. Most often, this method is used to control pests on indoor lemons. Alcohol and water must be mixed in equal proportions, and carefully wipe the damaged leaves. Repeat the procedure after 4 days.
DIY remedies give good results only at the beginning of the problem. If the mite appears in large numbers, you need to use ready-made preparations.
Shchitovka
The shield is an armored enemy, which is clear from its name. It sneaks up unnoticed, although it is localized in the most visible places: in the upper part of the leaf, along its main vein or on the stem of the plant.
Initially, greenish-brown dots or bumps appear. Then they begin to grow and merge into a single mass. This happens so quickly that before you even have time to look back, a whole army with shields has already begun an operation to seize your collection. If you have never encountered this pest, it is easy to miss the moment of invasion. Scale insects, like whiteflies and mealybugs, secrete a sticky secretion - honeydew, which attracts sooty fungus. So, get ready, the fight against the parasite will not be easy, but it can be defeated.
Treatment
- If the tick is afraid of high humidity, and the whitefly is afraid of frost, then the scale insect does not tolerate dry air and sunlight. So, the correct conditions for keeping adenium are already half the success.
- Manually collect all pests using wet wipes, cotton swabs, brushes and other tools. You can use a soap solution or “green soap” when treating the plant.
- Thoroughly wipe all adjacent surfaces: window sill, windows, shelves.
- Carry out 3-4 insecticide treatments at intervals of 3-5 days.
- Spill the soil with Aktara.
Drugs that are used against scale insects: “Aktara”, “Admiral”, “Mospilan”, “Apploud”, “Confidor”, “Fufanon”.
Bottom line
Spider mites can appear on absolutely any crop. At the beginning of an infection, it is very difficult to recognize the problem, since the pest most often hides on the inside of the leaves. However, at the first symptoms, immediate action must be taken. Since the insect multiplies very quickly and in a short time can destroy the entire area. For a quick and effective fight, it is necessary to use special preparations. The rating of the best effective anti-spider mite products for 2021 describes all the advantages and disadvantages and makes the choice easier.