How to deal with eggplant spider mites

Where does it come from

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, strengths and weaknesses.

Spider mites spread by air, on human clothing, garden tools, animal hair, on their own. It is quite difficult to prevent its appearance in the greenhouse, but at the same time 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 decrease in daylight hours, they hibernate. But at the same time, they easily hide in last year's tops, tree bark, and the upper layers of the soil.

When favorable conditions occur - abundant lighting, low humidity and a consistently high air temperature - female spider mites are placed on the aerial part of the plant, starting to braid it with a thin web. They are usually based on the bottom of the leaflet. Spider mites begin to reproduce in dry and hot weather, not disdaining to create colonies on weeds.

The rate of development of young individuals is very dependent on the air temperature: at 15-20 ° C - no more than two weeks; at 30 ° C - ripen in three days. At the same time, the lifespan 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 find 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, his body is of a characteristic rhomboid shape; the larvae are whitish, translucent, have 3 pairs of legs. From an egg to an adult, a spider mite goes through 3 stages of development.

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

Control methods

It is necessary to deal with spider mites in a greenhouse in a complex manner, since a simple 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 they often go up to the roof of the building or climb into the cracks of the frames.

It is possible to 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 when processing such drugs is that they cause an allergic reaction in humans and animals. If you are willing to take the risk, then use a 1% solution of the drug.

Among the low-toxic drugs, "Vertimek", developed on the basis of avermectins, is distinguished.His work is based on an enteric 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, which quickly reduce the number of colonies - "Metaphos", "Karbofos", "Ethersulfonate", have proven themselves well.

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

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

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

Soap 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. It is imperative to water the soil around the infected beds with soapy water in order to remove the tick's retreat paths.

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

Onion peel tincture. Pour 0.5 liters of onion husks with five liters of warm water, leave to infuse for 3-4 days. Strain the finished tincture and use immediately.

Remember that the fight against spider mites is complex. Protect the plants in advance: regularly remove weeds, dead plants, tops and fallen leaves. Change the topsoil every year, and repot the eggplants in a new location. Finding the first affected leaves - remove them from the bush, and then burn. In general, all ulcerated shoots must be removed and burned, since it will no longer be possible to save them, unlike the rest of the plant and its neighbors. Repeat the eggplant treatment 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 the spider mite just like Don Quixote with the windmills.

Video “Spider mite. Control measures and prevention "

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