Spider mite on seedlings: causes and treatment

Each gardener must know the pests that affect the crops grown by him, in order to detect them in time and carry out the necessary treatment. The most dangerous are the spider mite or tetranchid, which can destroy young and adult plants, their fruits.

The danger of spider mites for seedlings

He poses a serious threat to young and just emerging shoots. In this case, death occurs even while maintaining optimal growing conditions (creating the necessary microclimate). Seedlings of sensitive tomatoes, bell peppers, cabbage, eggplant disappears with the slightest attack of pests, so it is very important to carry out the necessary treatment in time with effective agents to save the plants and prevent further spread of the lesion.

Seedlings of plants most often affected by spider mites

Each individual of this parasite sucks the contents of the main cells of the tissue. She cannot eat juice, because The small size of the jaws does not allow you to get to the xylem vessels (water-conducting tissue of plants), along which it moves. Damage caused by a tick leads to the formation of patches of dead parenchyma cells, which gradually expand and eventually cover the entire sheet. They differ in color: brown, yellow or dull white.

External examination creates the opinion that the plant was struck by a viral or fungal disease, because pests are not visible. They live on the underside of leaves.

Falling and wilting occurs already with a significant infection with ticks, when it is already quite difficult to cope with them. Insects breed very quickly and in a half month per m2 there will be several hundred individuals. The conditions created by gardeners when growing seedlings are optimal for tetranichids, so death occurs very quickly.

All types of spider mites are considered dangerous, but the most malicious will be: ordinary, red and two-point.

This parasite does not choose the plant on which it is better to settle. Its small size does not allow him to travel, so the food that is closest is the food. Different types of seedlings have different resistance to tick attack:

• zucchini, pumpkins - slightly affected;
• tomato, other nightshade ones are especially susceptible;
• young cabbage, sprouts of strawberries and cucumbers - suffer greatly;
• umbrella and onion - resistant, but they are rarely grown in this way;
• seedlings of fruit trees and shrubs - very often.

Thus, we can say that tetranichids are found almost everywhere.

Causes of Plant Infections

Spider mites can destroy all plants grown in the country, in the greenhouse and in the house. He is very unpretentious and can live where he wants. Active propagation is observed throughout the entire warm time. Winters in the upper layers of the soil, in fallen leaves and does not die in frost. It can be carried by the wind.

The creation of favorable conditions (fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers, insufficient watering, temperatures above +25 ° C) contributes to its active reproduction. It will not be possible to completely protect the plants from infection, therefore, preventive measures must be taken and the sick should be destroyed.

Type of affected plant

At the first moment, it is impossible to determine what exactly the tick settled on the seedlings. Its small size allows you to hide well, so you need to consider plants periodically with a magnifier, especially the underside of the leaves. Tetranichid has a pale green to brown color.

The appearance of colorless spots on the leaves, cobwebs, yellowness, slow development is a sign of the presence of ticks.

Ways to combat the spider mite

There are several control methods that will be optimal for various conditions: mechanical, folk, biological (not applicable at home) and chemical. The defense begins with the first method, then proceeds to the second and, at the end, is sprayed with special preparations if a positive result has not been obtained.

Mechanical

These are the easiest ways:

• Press with your fingers or with the erase. If the seedlings have a small number of leaves, then this is possible, although it will take some amount of time. When growing more than 50 bushes, the application will be inappropriate.
• Wash off with water. There is a risk of damaging the plant or flooding it, so it is technically difficult to perform.

Folk

Fairly accessible and safe methods. They do not affect the vegetation, fight larvae and adults. The disadvantage will be low efficiency (with mass infection) and frequent use (1-2 times a week).

Chemical

Pretty good and effective methods. The use of insecticides with expired shelf life also gives a positive effect. It is enough to buy inexpensive funds.

Mr. Dachnik advises: preventive measures to prevent infection of seedlings with spider mites

This pest can become a source of infectious diseases. The web protects it when spraying, so you need to remove it before the procedure. She gives shelter to other parasites. Fighting infection is always harder than preventing it.

There are several methods that are used for preventive purposes:

• Disinfection: soil and seeds. You can freeze or steam the soil, apply biological preparations.
• Spraying: with water or soapy water. The tick does not tolerate moisture, so processing every 7 days will be an effective way.
• Weeding and garbage collection. Mandatory procedure, because pests hibernate in them.
• Loosening. Prevents the development of parasites from eggs.
• Inspection Conducted constantly in time to detect and take the necessary control measures.

Watch the video: SPIDER MITES and How To Identify, Prevent and Exterminate them - Cannabis Growing (November 2024).