Insects are constant companions of man. This neighborhood is especially "pleasing" to gardeners. After all, the main enemy of landings, aphids, annually destroys crops. In the greenhouse to fight aphids should begin in the spring, and in the open ground - from mid-summer. Almost every gardener, to save your harvest, at some stage we have to look for methods to control aphids.
How dangerous aphids
Aphids, impressive cucumbers, commonly called melon. The first sign of its appearance are wilting and drooping leaves of the plant. It is enough to turn the sheet, on the reverse side you can see a whole bunch of parasites. Later aphids "eat" the whole plant: she moves to the flowers, stems and even fruit ovaries.
At the first signs of the disease you need to immediately fight pests. Otherwise there is a high risk of losing the crop altogether. After all, do not be in the aphids of natural enemies, it absorbed all the green part of the planet.
The described parasites feed on the sap of plant cells, emitting poison when eating them. That is why the letters are twisted, in which the aphid later hides from its enemies and reproduces, preserving the population.
Aphids are also harmful, which is a carrier of viral diseases. So, plant, in addition to suffering from the parasite itself, can still get sick.
Folk methods of struggle
Fortunately, there are many methods to control aphids. And, folk remedies are not inferior to chemicals, and in some cases even surpass them.
Example, One of the effective ways to control aphids in the cucumber garden is to plant strong shoots, which are practically not susceptible to pests. It is difficult for parasites to penetrate the dense shell of the plant. in addition, such whips have excellent self-healing.
To grow such a strong plant, necessary:
- choose the right variety of cucumbers;
- monitor the soil (periodically feed and water it properly);
- properly plant cucumbers, keeping the distance between the bushes and protecting them from weeds;
- if possible, use mulch, which will help fight weeds.
There are many folk remedies for aphids. The most common are removals, attracting enemies, insecticidal soap.
Delete
A small number of parasites can be removed with ordinary cloth, manually, but always in gloves. This method is especially effective in the case of "settlement" of pests on plant stems and stems. On the reverse side of the sheet of parasites is better to remove with a swab.
When new individuals appear, the process must be repeated.
Attracting enemies of aphids
The most ardent opponent of the described parasites are hummingbirds. But, Unfortunately, it is impossible to meet this bird in our latitudes. Therefore, suns and gold eyes will come to the rescue, which are natural predators, eating aphids.
Many consider enemies of pests of red and black ants. But such an opinion is wrong. Ants, vice versa, contribute to the spread and reproduction of parasites on plants, as they feed on their excrement.
Insecticidal soap
Insecticidal soap is an effective organic method, which helps to cope with aphids. Solution, made of this soap, destroys insects and prevents them from staying on the plant. But, making a solution, it is necessary to be convinced of possibility of its application on cucumbers.
To process a plant - not all. It is necessary to pay special attention to washing off means from cucumbers.
You can fight parasites and a harmless analogue of insecticidal soap, which can be prepared at home. To do this, mix liquid soap (but in no case detergent) with water. Perfect proportion: 2 tablespoons of soap per liter of water. You can spray the product with a clean spray.
Other recipes
You can fight aphids and other folk remedies.
Example, well-proven tincture of tomato leaves, garlic and bitter pepper. You can make a solution from all these components or from one element, and then process them cucumbers. Pepper should be diluted in the proportion of a quarter teaspoon per liter of water. There are no special recommendations regarding the concentration of other solutions.
"Afraid" of aphids and essential oils. Therefore, you can fight these pests and aqueous solutions of fragrant plants: tea tree or peppermint oil diluted with water.
As mentioned earlier, pests do not tolerate fragrant plants. Therefore, planting mint next to cucumbers, garlic, onions, pepper or horseradish will provide plants with parasite-free life.
The aphid is a parasite, settles on almost all plants and causes them great harm. But it is easy to cure plants, it is enough to follow simple rules and choose the right tool.
Video "Folk remedies against aphids"
Watch the expert's interview, which proposes to use safe folk remedies against aphids in the garden.