How to get rid of white bugs?
When a problem is first discovered, treatment should be done immediately. The first is to isolate the affected plants so that small bugs can be prevented from infesting other indoor plants.
Then you need to kill these pests using organic products and strategies. It is not recommended to use synthetic pesticides, because as small bugs resistant to most chemical pesticides. They also have the ability to develop resistance to any chemicals they are exposed to on a regular basis.
When processing a plant, look at the surface under the leaves, around their junction, in the folds and at the base of the plant for pests.
These elusive plant pests love to hide, so check the plant from all sides and under each leaf. Also remove some soil to check the base of the stem where it is sticking out of the dirt, as well as around the edges of the pot; you may find some mealybugs there.
Getting rid of all the mealy bugs will take several treatments, so remember to process your plant daily and kill any beetles that are visible.
Step-by-step instructions on how to get rid of various pests
Spiderweb
After finding a spider mite on orchids, you can get rid of it in several ways:
- Biological. It is enough to have several walls of predatory beetles that will destroy adult ticks.
- Chemical. Insecticidal preparations must be alternated, since the parasites develop immunity to the drugs used. In addition, one-time processing will not be enough; it will have to be carried out systematically. Such drugs are effective: Metaldehyde, Thiofos, Actellik.
- Folk. To combat spider mites, you can use a decoction of cyclamen roots. Pour the tubers with water, boil for 30 minutes, leave for 24 hours, and use the resulting filtered liquid to spray the orchid. Carry out processing every 5 days 3-4 times. To get rid of spider mites will help the usual wiping of orchid leaves with a rag dipped in alcohol.
We suggest watching a video on how to get rid of a spider mite:
Bulbous
As soon as this pest has been detected, it is necessary to immediately change the soil in the pot. You can get rid of the bulb mite in the following ways:
- Folk. Using folk remedies is effective only at an early stage of the lesion, when the ticks have not spread much. A solution of laundry soap is suitable (20 g of raw materials per 1 liter of water). They can wipe orchids or immerse the flower completely in the solution. You can try to spray the plant with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
- Chemical. Florists use general-spectrum insecticides. But you can also use drugs of narrow specialization, which will fight only against ticks - these are acaricides. To prepare the solution, you need to use the instructions on the package.
The concentration can be made weaker, but not stronger, otherwise the opposite effect is possible. In the prepared solution, it is necessary to soak the flower, and send the roots back to the ground only when they are completely dry.
Root
This parasite is the most difficult to remove and tenacious. It has a high ability to regenerate and reproduce. If a root mite was visible on the orchids, then all affected parts of the flower must be urgently removed, and the cut sites must be treated with activated carbon powder.Affected plants must be isolated from other healthy ones. Throw away the soil immediately and disinfect the pot.
Folk remedies suggest using a decoction of nettle, which will not only eliminate pests, but also raise the flower's immunity.
To prepare the solution, you need: take 700 g of fresh grass, pour 5 liters of boiling water and leave for 30 minutes in a dark place.
How to process a plant? This is done within 5 minutes by immersing the whole orchid in the broth. Of the chemicals, ascaricides remain effective. Also, against pests, you can use an insectoacaricidal agent - Acaritox. Apply it strictly according to the instructions, and the frequency of processing is every 5-7 days.
Biologics are also effective against root mites:
- Verticillin;
- Summer resident;
- Nematophagin.
Squattle
To quickly and effectively get rid of the parasite, it is better to immediately use chemicals - acaricides. Since ticks are not insects, insecticides are useless.
Most often used:
- Actofik;
- Fitoverm;
- Vermitic.
Folk remedies can be used those that were given earlier, but they are only effective at an early stage of infection.
Armored
This parasite lives underground, so you need to get rid of it as soon as possible. To do this, first of all, remove the flower from the soil, and soak the root system for half an hour in water.
3-5 minutes after the dive, it will be possible to see how the parasites will begin to emerge. After half an hour, remove the root system from the water and lay to dry. Carry out activities 2-3 times to get the maximum result. When the roots are dry, you can transplant the plant into new soil. If you use chemical methods of control, then acaricidal drugs are effective, including:
- Karbofos;
- Sumiton;
- Actellik
In the store you can buy a predatory mite - Hypoasmis miles. One package will be enough to completely get rid of the parasites.
From the video you can learn how to get rid of a shell mite:
Spider mite on indoor plants
This is the worst pest of indoor plants. If your favorite flower began to dry for no reason, then it is worth examining the back side of the leaves. If you find small dark dots on the lower surface of the sheet plate, poke one of them with a toothpick. If a speck of dust begins to move, then this is a spider mite, and it's time to wonder how to deal with it.
Where dwells
More often the pest settles on plants with delicate and juicy leaves: indoor roses, chrysanthemums, crotons, violets, Benjamin's ficus. Plants with rough leaves covered with cuticles - zamioculcas, ficuses, cacti - are too tough for the pest, since it cannot pierce the thick shell and get to the juice.
After mite infestation, the indoor flower turns yellow and dries. The pest can settle not only on the leaves, but also on the petals, disfiguring them. Inflorescences become wrinkled, spotty, fall off prematurely.
Pests multiply rapidly. Even a single specimen that got into a room with a stream of air from a window in a dry room air favorable for it will begin to multiply rapidly. From laying eggs to obtaining adults from them, it takes only a week.
Spider mites on indoor plants quickly move from pot to pot, infecting home plantings. Take a closer look at the areas of the stem from which the leaf petioles extend. If you notice a white cobweb, then this means that ticks have settled on indoor plants and it's time to get down to business.
Ready funds
The most effective remedies for ticks belong to the category of acaricides. In room conditions, the most harmless biological type agents are suitable. Acaricides destroy only adult insects and do not harm eggs, so the treatments have to be repeated several times every three to four days.
Fitoverm
The drug has an enteric action against harmful insects and ticks, produced in Russia. Contains soil fungus spores that settle inside the body of pests and cause their death. Safe for people and animals. For the treatment of indoor plants, 2 ml of Fitoverma is diluted in a liter of water and the leaves are sprayed every 7 days. The treatments are repeated 2 to 4 times.
Vermitic
Manufactured by Syngenta, Switzerland. Biological preparation for the protection of ornamental plants in open and protected ground. At the beginning of the appearance of mites, one treatment is sufficient. If the driver has managed to multiply strongly, the treatment is repeated after a week.
To kill insects, 3 ml of the drug is diluted in 10 liters of water. After spraying, a plastic bag is put on the plant, which can be removed after a day.
Aktofit
Ukrainian analog Fitoverma, a biological preparation of 4 generations, destroying ticks and insects. Indoor plants are treated twice with an interval of at least 14 days. 4 ml of the product is required per liter of water.
Folk remedies
If the number of pests is small, then one of the proven home methods can be dispensed with.
Medical alcohol treatment
The most difficult thing is to find real medical alcohol with a strength of 96%. Soak a cotton swab in alcohol and wipe the leaves of the flower - all ticks and eggs will be instantly destroyed. This measure of combating spider mites is suitable for plants with dense leaves: ficuses, Chinese roses, dieffenbachia, palms, and is not suitable for thin, delicate and pubescent fuchsia and violet leaves.
Laundry soap
It does not destroy ticks by itself, but creates a film on the surface of the leaves through which the pests cannot breathe and die. The soap is whipped into a lather and all the leaves are smeared with a brush. After three to four hours, the plants are washed under a warm shower and covered overnight with a plastic bag. The increased humidity will "finish off" the miraculously survived, but already weakened pests. If a plant with small leaves is infected, a sprayer can be used instead of wiping.
Cat flea drops
Drops from cat fleas quickly and reliably destroy spider mites on domestic plants. Add 3-4 drops of the product per liter of water and carry out 2 treatments with an interval of 10 days.
What parts of the plant does it live on?
The tick lives on the leaf apparatus, stems and flowers of the plant. The main load goes to the bud and stems of orchids. It is these parts that pests most often wrap with a cobweb. If a tick is present, then it can even be on the walls of the pot, waiting for an hour when it will be possible to get on the plant under favorable conditions for life. Ticks can even be in the ground, in a state of "sleep" and become more active, having received a favorable environment.
The main food of these arachnids is leaf sap. In the process of feeding, the pest throws in a special substance, receiving nectar in return. Then the first signs appear:
- the leaf turns yellow;
- dots appear on it;
- it fades.
Step by step, the entire plant is destroyed, opening the way for fungi and bacteria.
Signs of a spider mite:
- cobweb, most often formed on the inside of the leaf;
- translucent spots that grow over time and turn white, taking up more and more space;
- gradual drying of the sheet plate;
- wilting of a flower.
Regularly, you need to inspect the flower for the presence of cobwebs, paying attention to how the leaves and stems look. Particular attention is required to be paid to white spots, yellowed areas and curled leaves.
If there is at least one of these symptoms, it is imperative to take measures to combat this dangerous pest.
White bugs
Have white bugs (bugs, insects) appeared on the orchid? How to get rid of? If the orchid has white bugs, then it is infected with mealybugs (hairy lice).They are dangerous not only in that they draw out juices from plants, but also leave honeydew (sugary secretion) on them, which contributes to the development of sooty fungus (rabble) - a dangerous fungal disease. It impedes the flow of air to the cells of the orchid and spoils its appearance.
Mealybugs are small insects from five millimeters to twelve millimeters long with a white bloom, similar to cotton wool. Females produce a waxy web around which they lay their eggs. They are highly fertile and can produce up to four generations per season.
The appearance of these pests, as a rule, comes from newly acquired plants. When buying them, it is very often difficult to immediately notice them, since in addition to spreading over the leaves and stems, they can hide in the soil. Also, contamination with mealybugs can lead to: waterlogging of the soil, high dryness of the indoor air, dry leaves and buds, excessive fertilizing with fertilizers with a high nitrogen content.
Check out the interesting varieties of orchids:
- phalaenopsis;
- dwarf orchid;
- dendrobium nobile;
- cambria;
- cattleya;
- oncidium;
- miltonia;
- cymbidium.
How to treat an orchid from pests? You will find the answer to this question in the following videos.
Mealybug infestation may be indicated by the following symptoms:
- slowing down the growth of orchids;
- yellow or reddish leaf spots and sticky droplets;
- deformation of buds.
If the leaves and flowers of the orchid are severely damaged by these pests, they must be removed, and the rest of the plant and the root system should be treated with an insecticide solution.
Conditions of appearance and signs of damage
On phalaenopsis, the root mite will multiply rapidly when:
- dry air;
- high temperature;
- provided that the plant has a weakened immune system.
Experts have found that the spider feels comfortable when:
- temperature + 28 + 32C;
- humidity less than 50%.
Flat-bodied mites can grow indoors throughout the year without the need for special conditions. High humidity can only slow down the transformation of a small individual into an adult, but this process is inevitable.
Important! To prevent the plant from becoming infected with pests, it is forbidden to use an infected planting substrate taken from the garden. Even if there is a need to use such soil, it must be prepared and processed .. The mites on the orchid are located to feed on the flower juices
This occurs by piercing the surface of the foliage or stems through which the pest introduces a substance that can destroy the cell membrane. This helps to accelerate the secretion of juice and its exit through the affected area, through which the spider feeds
The mites on the orchid settle down to feed on the sap of the flower. This occurs by piercing the surface of the foliage or stems through which the pest introduces a substance that can destroy the cell membrane. This helps to accelerate the secretion of juice and its exit through the affected area, through which the spider feeds.
Through the hole made, air enters the structure, and this leads to the transformation of green foliage into silver, it is covered with cobwebs. Soon the leaves will turn yellow, and the affected areas will quickly spread throughout the plant, causing them to fall off.
In some cases, cobwebs can be found not only on the foliage, but also on the surface of the buds. This is a sign of the presence of a large spider colonization, and if the orchid is not cured of ticks, then it will die. Will happen:
- gradual yellowing;
- curling the tips of the leaves;
- drying out;
- dying off of leaves and buds.
If you do not treat the orchid, then ticks can provoke the occurrence of a bacterial, viral or fungal disease, as evidenced by the presence of dark spots and weeping areas.
Symptoms of orchid infestation by ticks
Insect control measures should be chosen depending on what signs of the presence of a spider appear. It is too difficult for inexperienced growers to detect arthropods, especially without using optical instruments. Education can be considered a characteristic feature:
- Silvery or white cobwebs on the underside of the leaves, which, when pressed, acquire a reddish tint and transform into a liquid substance.
- Small white spots on the surface of the leaf plate, which look like many pricks made with a thin needle, which leads to the death of the affected tissue.
Note. Over time, the dots merge into spots of a brown hue, which is why the green areas die off.
Injections can be seen in the area of the leaf sinus; you need to regularly inspect the plant.
How to inspect a plant
The fight against spider mites on orchids begins with a thorough examination of the flower for the detection of parasites. They look different, and therefore it is worth studying all their forms.
Since it is almost impossible to consider a spider, you need to pay attention to such points:
- accumulation of insects on the back of the foliage;
- sharp wilting for no reason;
- the formation of large and white spots;
- white spider web throughout the plant;
- twisted and dried foliage.
Do not confuse black and white spots, as the former are a sign of mildew and mildew. Having eliminated the fungus, it is not worth considering that the problem has been solved, since the immunity is weakened and the colonies will begin to actively grow further. Parasites prefer young and juicy foliage, and therefore it is young plants that die.
Spider mite description
Despite their diminutive size, spider mites are not insects. They belong to the Arachnids, are distant relatives of scorpions and spiders. They are distinguished from insects by a greater number of limbs. Some of the Arachnids are so tenacious that they can exist even in the harsh northern climate.
The body of a spider mite is oval in shape, in length does not exceed 0.5 mm. The color of the chitinous cover is largely determined by the food consumed. Most often it is green or reddish. Although the parasite has 4 pairs of legs, it moves very slowly. In the process of vital activity, ticks weave a very thin web, entangling all parts of the indoor orchid with it. All stages of mite development from clutch pass under its protection. eggs to adult individuals.
Spider mites reproduce very quickly. From the moment the female lays eggs to the appearance of a sexually mature individual, it takes from 10 to 20 days. Moreover, the duration of development is influenced by the climate of the region. The hatched larvae initially have only 3 pairs of legs. Only after a few molts do they have a fourth pair of legs. In total, spider mites live for about 40 days.
For normal life and reproduction, this pest needs a temperature of +27 degrees. In this case, the humidity in the room should be between 30 and 40%. At higher humidity, the development of parasites slows down.
Types of spider mites:
- The root mite has an elongated oval body with 6 legs. It perfectly adapts to harsh external conditions, it can exist for several months without food. Most often it affects the root system of plants.
- Red spider mites are wider than others. Their body is bright orange or yellow. They adapt well to the action of toxic substances.
- Bulb mites are the slowest. Their body length is no more than 0.5 mm. They are dark brown in color and have short bristles on the body.
- Carapace mites look like spiders in appearance. They use plant roots for nutrition.
- Phalaenopsis flat mite is very small. Its length is no more than 0.3 mm.On the back of the belly, it has two antennae-shaped bristles. Usually hides in secret places on the plant.
- The greenhouse flat beetle has a terracotta-red ovoid body with a mesh pattern. At all stages of life, this arachnid is colored in different shades of red. Therefore, it is often referred to as a red flat mite.
- The oncidium flat mite has an orange-red oval body up to 0.3 mm long. It damages leaves and infects plant tissues with its toxic saliva.
Varieties of parasites - signs of appearance on plants
Representatives of many types of ticks,
living on the orchid, are characterized by their small size. It complicates them
Search. But you can navigate by the external signs of plants during the period
parasitizing arthropods. Representatives of each species most often leave
characteristic traces, but nonspecific manifestations common to
various pests.
Root
Such ticks got their name due to
environment in which they live. So, they prefer to repopulate the root system.
plants. Orchids are one of the favorite flowers of these parasites. The main signs of them
appearances:
- violation of pigmentation, which leads to a change in the color of individual sections of the leaves;
- changing the shape of the ground parts of the plant;
- the rudiments of the peduncles are deformed;
- the orchid stops developing;
- mold on the bulbs, they change shape, lose their elasticity.
The external signs of the terrestrial parts of flowers are nonspecific - they can occur when various parasites appear.
Root mite species.
False
spiderweb
Such individuals are much less true
spider parasites - body length is 0.25 mm. Color can also be
red, but pests do not leave cobwebs on orchids. Pests differ
this kind of slowness. To remove ticks, you need to understand how
infection is manifested:
- reddish dots are found on the leaves (on the back);
- the plant withers;
- leaves begin to dry, soon fall off;
- buds do not develop, they also fall off.
The false spider mite does not leave marks on the plant in comparison with the real one.
Red
spider mite
The parasite is slightly smaller (body length
females - 0.4; mm, males - 0.35 mm). Such individuals prefer to live in a warm
climate (air temperature + 30 ° С). The main signs of appearance on an orchid:
- white dots on the leaves - tick bites;
- wilting of the plant;
- found not only on the back of the leaves, but also on top;
- the cobweb appears in areas - at the point of growth of the leaf.
Red spider mites live in warm climates.
Bulbous
The name suggests that such
individuals infect plant bulbs. They are characterized by a short length (0.25
mm), pale pink color. The fight against such pests should be started,
when signs are found:
- spots of a different color on the bulbs;
- the plant does not develop;
- the shape of the leaves changes;
- you can see brown tissue on leaves, flowers;
- secondary infection occurs - fungi, bacteria.
The bulb mite infects the roots of plants.
Flat-bodied
The body length is no more than 0.3 mm, which does not allow detecting the pest. Staying still on the plant also interferes with seeing this species of mites. The main symptom is the appearance of numerous punctures on the leaves. They look like a silvery coating on the grooves.
Flat-bodied mite on orchid leaves.
Armored
Such individuals are more often found on Phalaenopsis orchids. They are characterized by a dark color and larger than the considered brothers, which makes it easier to find. They live in the ground, feed on organic debris, and when there is a lack of food, they move to the ground parts of plants.
Armored mites on an orchid of this species (phalaenopsis) are found due to the lack of the need to dry the substrate, because they can live only in high humidity conditions.
Carapace mites are dark black in color.
Description of pests
Orchids are some of the most beautiful flowers in the world, but these delicate plants are often attacked by various parasites. There are certain prerequisites for the development of such negative phenomena.
Entomologists say that a tick is not an insect, but an arthropod. The peculiarity of these creatures is phenomenal survival in a variety of conditions. The difficulty lies in the fact that the false spider mite is microscopic in size and it is extremely difficult to see it on flowers. Its parameters do not exceed half a millimeter, and the color of the calf depends on the color of the plant that it eats. The chitinous cover of these insects can be red or green in color.
Adult ticks have eight legs, but their movement along the plant is extremely unhurried. While eating an orchid, the mite simultaneously weaves a web that envelops the stems and buds of the plant. If there is a cobweb, then this means that new generations of pests will appear in the near future.
This parasite is dangerous in that its reproduction occurs in geometric progression. In just 2-3 weeks, the larva turns into an adult. This creature lives no more than 40 days, but this is enough for it to destroy the plant. The favorite delicacy of such insects is plant juices: the tick bites through the epidermis of the orchid and introduces into it a special enzyme that dissolves cells. Nutrient biomass arises, which the parasite sucks out.
At the site of the lesion, yellowness, white bloom, cobweb forms, after a short time this area dies off. If the thinnest cobweb appeared on the flowers and buds of the orchid, then this indicates that there are a lot of parasites on the plant, urgent measures must be taken to eliminate them. Various parasites additionally penetrate into the sites of tick lesions:
- viruses;
- fungus;
- pathogenic bacteria.
Generations of mites in large numbers live in fertile soil, you can see them with a magnifying glass. The following types of mites "love" the orchid.
- Root. This parasite has 6 legs, a mustache and a body that resembles an elongated oval. Possesses good resistance, can go without food for several months. A favorite treat is the root system of various plants.
- Red spider mite. One of the most common. Tolerates poisonous drugs well. The color of the calf can be yellow and even bright orange.
- Bulbous. It has a size of no more than 0.5 mm, and this parasite is extremely clumsy. The color is dark brown, the body is oval. Short bristles are located on the body.
- Armored mite. Looks like a spider, feeds on plant roots.
There are a number of other parasites that are very harmful to orchids.
- Thrips. These are gray flies that appear due to overdrying of the plant. Thrips feeds on sap, so the flower dies after a week or two.
- Mealybugs. They manifest themselves as a white bloom that looks like hoarfrost. They also feed on the sap of the flower, presenting an average degree of danger.
- Shield. These are flies that are covered with a dense black shell. When the insect is in the larval stage, it is not easy to find it; you need to use a magnifying glass.
- Common aphid. Appears on many plants. The insect is very fond of young leaves, flower petals. Due to the size of the aphid, it is clearly visible on the leaves.
- Fools. These are microscopic beetles that live in the substrate and are very fond of the root system. They breed if there is a low temperature and abundant watering.
Favorable conditions for pests
- Spiderweb. For them, the favorable conditions in which they can freely live and reproduce are warm and dry air. The reproduction process takes place in the soil when the temperature does not drop below 12 ° C. Under favorable conditions, they are capable of giving about 20 new generations. The development cycle takes 12-20 days, the higher the temperature, the less time it takes.When the temperature is 28-32 ° C, and the humidity is kept within 45%, the development process to an adult takes only 6 days.
- Flat heifers. These individuals are absolutely not capricious and do not require any special conditions for reproduction. Reproduction takes place indoors all year round. If by increasing the humidity of spider mites it is possible to create conditions that slow down development, then in this case this method will not bring results.
- Bulbous. Their life cycle is completely dependent on temperature, they prefer warmth and when the temperature drops, development slows down significantly. For example, if at a temperature of 16-28 ° C it takes about 10 days to develop, then if the temperature drops to 20 ° C, this process will take more than two weeks.
