Control measures for spiderweb, cyclamen, transparent mites on strawberries

The appearance of strawberry mites on strawberries is a fairly common occurrence. Especially if weather conditions favor it. The pest causes considerable damage, affecting all parts of the plant.

As soon as signs of infection have been identified, measures must be taken immediately to destroy the tick. Failure to combat it will adversely affect yields, and in the future, weakened plants can freeze out in winter or die earlier.

Distinctive features of the pest

On garden strawberries, not one, but three species of arthropods parasitize at once. These are the following representatives of ticks:

• ordinary spider web;
• cyclamen;
• transparent.

Pests have similar external signs, but differ in preferences regarding the habitat:

• spider mite prefers dry sunny areas;
• cyclamen loves warmth and moisture, therefore it often settles in greenhouses;
• transparent also prefers a humid environment, but is less demanding on temperature.

Pest bodies of light color. On the back of transparent and spider mites there are specks, while cyclamen mites do not. The size of the female is only 0.2 mm, and the males are half as small, so it will not be possible to notice the pest without the help of a magnifying glass.

Females lay eggs from spring to autumn. Larvae have several developmental stages and develop into adult ticks in just 2 weeks under favorable conditions. This period can be extended depending on the weather. In one summer, pests are capable of reproducing up to 7–9 generations. The peak of arthropod activity is observed at the end of July.

The mite prefers strawberry varieties with delicate thin leaves and sugary fruits.

Causes and symptoms of infection

Most often, summer residents bring in a tick along with infected seedlings purchased from a random seller. The pest can be brought to the plantation on your clothes or shoes, gardening tools. With the onset of a cold snap, the male ticks die, and the females leave for the winter, hiding at the base of strawberry bushes or inside young leaves rolled into a tube.

With the arrival of heat in spring, the pests climb to the surface and begin to lay eggs on young leaves.

Factors favoring active reproduction of the tick include:

• non-observance of the rules of crop rotation;
• the location of the beds in a shaded area;
• rarely carried out loosening and weeding;
• air humidity over 80%;
• untimely removal of the mustache;
• too dense planting.

When a strawberry is infected with a tick, the growth of bushes stops or slows down significantly. Affected young leaves begin to wrinkle and then turn yellow. On the reverse side of the leaf plates, a white bloom is noticeable, and in the event of an attack by a spider mite, a thin cobweb. In case of severe damage, the leaves, flowers and berries begin to dry out, and the plant dies. If there are not too many ticks, there will be a noticeable decrease in the number of flowers, and the berries will be too small.

Preventive actions

To prevent tick infestation, as well as prevent it from multiplying in myriad quantities, certain steps are being taken to create conditions that are unfavorable for the pest and reduce the risk of its introduction into the site:

• selection of varieties resistant to tick attacks;
• buying strawberry seedlings in proven, reliable places;
• soaking purchased seedlings in hot water before planting;
• organization of a plantation in a sunny area without moisture stagnation;
• compliance with the rules of crop rotation;
• correct agricultural techniques (regular loosening, weeding and feeding);
• harvesting leaves from the ridge after autumn pruning;
• spring pouring hot water over bushes.

The bushes should be inspected regularly. If plants with signs of severe tick infestation are found, they are destroyed by burning. Do not use contaminated strawberries for composting.

Tick ​​control

You can use a variety of control methods to get rid of mites on strawberries. The fastest results are obtained by the use of chemicals - they are used at a strong stage of infection. If the tick did not have time to breed in large quantities, you can use folk remedies.

There is also a biological way to combat arthropods. It consists in the settlement of the plantation with some species of predatory insects that threaten the tick population. For example, trichogramma, the larvae of which destroy the eggs of the pest from the inside. However, this method is not always available. Predatory insects are available only in some laboratories and specialized stores.

Chemical and biological products

Not all preparations are suitable for the destruction of a tick, but only those that have acaricidal properties. Insecticides designed to kill insects will be powerless in this case.

In the fruiting stage, it is better not to use chemical agents. It is recommended to spray strawberry bushes with them in spring (before flowering) and after harvest - then the berries will definitely remain safe. Biological agents can be used even during the fruiting period.

To fight the tick, it is recommended to use:

• "Karbofos". The drug is highly toxic. When processing, you need to thoroughly moisten the young leaves: it is on them that the tick prefers to settle. The affected bed must be processed at a temperature not lower than + 15 ° C. The agent has a contact effect, the tick dies almost instantly upon contact with it. The working solution is prepared from 30 g of "Karbofos" for 4 liters of water. Apply the composition immediately after preparation, it cannot be stored.
• Fitoverm. It is necessary to process strawberries with this remedy three times with a week break to obtain the effect. Fitoverm belongs to a group of biological products and, if the instructions are strictly followed, it can be used in the summer during the fruiting period. It is especially effective in hot weather. At the same time, insectoacaricide helps to fight other drivers. The drug decomposes quickly when exposed to light, therefore it is recommended to use it at dusk. For processing strawberries, 5 ml of Fitoverma are consumed per 5 liters of water.
• Actellik. A universal insecticide for the treatment of garden and indoor plants based on pyrimiphos-methyl. The tool belongs to the group of contact drugs. Actellik protects plants from most pests. It is produced in the form of a concentrated emulsion. The solution is prepared from one ampoule of the drug with a volume of 2 ml per 2 liters of water. With a high degree of infection of the bushes, the concentration is doubled.
• Akarin. A new generation product that effectively destroys ticks, aphids, thrips, caterpillars. "Akarin" belongs to a group of biological preparations, the advantage of which is their safety for the environment. Does not cause pest resistance. The mass death of ticks occurs on the 5th day. The fruits can be eaten as early as 2 days after spraying the strawberries. The product is available in the form of an emulsion. The drug works most effectively if the air temperature is above + 18 ° C. The solution is prepared from 2 ml of emulsion per 1 liter of water. To get rid of ticks, a single treatment is enough.

In addition, a solution of colloidal sulfur is used for spraying. The drugs "Neoron" and "Fufanon" also have a destructive effect on the tick.For spring processing, "Arrivo" and "Karate" are suitable.

When spraying, it is imperative to observe safety precautions and use protective equipment.

Folk remedies

Homemade folk remedies will also help to get rid of the tick. These are decoctions and infusions based on herbal ingredients:

• A decoction of tomato tops. It is prepared from 1 kg of dry or 3 kg of fresh raw materials. The tops are poured with 10 liters of water, boiled for 30 minutes, and then allowed to brew for several hours. After that, the broth is filtered, diluted half with water, 40 g of soap shavings are added to the composition, mixed and used to spray strawberry bushes.
• Garlic infusion. Chop 200 g of unpeeled garlic cloves and add them to 10 liters of water. The infusion will be ready in 5 days. The composition is watered on each plant and the ground under it. To make the remedy work more effectively, cover the bed with foil for 2-3 hours.
• Infusion of onion peels. To prepare it, you will need a liter can of onion peelings and 10 liters of water. The infusion must be prepared for at least 5 days. After that, the liquid is filtered and used to spray the strawberries.

The same remedy can be used prophylactically by spraying strawberries in spring and autumn. All foliage on the berry plantation must be mowed before autumn processing. This must be done carefully, trying not to damage the hearts of the outlets. After the plant residues are removed, start spraying.

Strawberry mite control can be successful if started as early as possible. Additionally, crops are provided with proper growing conditions and complete care. In this case, strawberries will certainly delight you with an excellent harvest.