How to effectively deal with aphids on pepper without harming the crop
Bell peppers are loved in our country and are grown in regions with both warm and cold climates. Greenhouse varieties have learned to grow even in Siberia. This plant attracts vegetable growers with the taste and beneficial qualities of the fruit.
There is an acute question about methods of combating parasites on bell peppers - in particular, peppers are susceptible to aphid attacks. In the article we will tell you what are the reasons for its appearance and how to deal with aphids with folk and other means at home.
The content of the article
What is aphid
Aphids, aphididae family - a common plant parasite... Summer residents and gardeners know about the fertility of aphidids. Aphids live in colonies, multiply and spread quickly. Insects-parasites are attracted to garden plots by food and lack of preventive measures.
What types of aphids affect peppers
Such varieties of aphids parasitize on bell pepper: peach, nightshade and greenhouse.
Peach (green) aphid chooses pepper as a forage plant... In addition to peppers, this type of insect affects melons, cabbage, lettuce, some types of flowers, but it prefers pepper most of all. This small parasite infests the stem and lower part of the leaves, causing them to curl and shrivel.
The nightshade (black) aphid is one of the smallest pests, measuring only 0.3 mm... It settles on the trunk of the plant, on the back of the leaves. These pests feed on plant sap. Young sprouts of a succulent culture are attractive to them, so black aphids on pepper seedlings are a frequent occurrence.
These insects need amino acids and carbohydrates for their vital functions.... Bell pepper is a succulent plant that contains these substances in excess. In the process of their vital activity, aphidids secrete a sticky substance - honeydew, which attracts ants. Therefore, if aphids appear, then an anthill will definitely appear nearby.
This is a mutually beneficial neighborhood: ants protect aphidid colonies from ladybirds and hoverflies, and those in excess secrete pad. But the sweet solution that parasites secrete is not only a treat for ants, but also the basis for the development of fungal diseases.
About other pests of pepper:
How to get rid of caterpillars on pepper
Causes of occurrence
In autumn, females lay fertilized eggs.... They hide them in the bark of plants and shrubs. Ants hide aphid eggs in an anthill for the winter - these are the main guards of aphidids. In the spring, females appear with wings that do not need a male to continue offspring.
Young female aphidids are able to reproduce independently (this mode of reproduction is called "parthenogenesis") at an incredible rate. Each of them produces hundreds of larvae. After a couple of weeks, the small larva turns into an adult asexual parasite, which reproduces by parthenogenesis.
Reference. Closer to autumn, males and females of aphidids appear, which lay eggs for the winter.
Causes of the appearance of aphids on sweet peppers:
- the presence of an anthill on the site or next to the garden;
- the garden is overgrown with weeds;
- a flower bed in the immediate vicinity of the pepper bed;
- soil or seedlings with parasite larvae;
- unfavorable temperature;
- plant roots were overly flooded with water, irregular watering.
Symptoms
Aphid larvae are so small that it is difficult to notice their appearance on plants with the naked eye.... Vegetable growers notice the pest when the pepper is already sick.
The first signs of aphidid infection:
- seedlings turn yellow, dry up and die;
- buds fall off, fruit ovaries are not formed;
- the sticky substance covers the surface of the pepper with a thin layer;
- the bush shines and becomes sticky to the touch;
- small, creeping parasites cover the seamy side of the leaf;
- plant growth stops.
Pest control should be started as soon as possible, otherwise aphids will destroy the entire crop.
Pest control methods
Aphids are a serious enemy of sweet pepper. What should a gardener do when faced with this problem? There are three methods of dealing with aphidids:
- chemical - quickly gets rid of aphids (cannot be used during flowering plants);
- biological - the natural properties of some species of plants, birds, animals and insects are used to protect plantings from aphidids;
- folk - recipes for getting rid of parasites, which were tested by summer residents on their own experience.
Biological way
When growing peppers in the open field, it is advisable to lure the enemies of aphids... One week is enough for birds and insects to rid the entire area of it without harming the seedlings. The birds will destroy pests on the site if you create comfortable conditions for them. To attract sparrows and tits to the site, leave them food.
The seven-spotted ladybug larva destroys one hundred adult harmful beetles and up to three hundred larvae in one day... The riders aphelinus and aphidius are the main enemies of the aphids. They lay eggs in the body of aphidids. They feed on aphids and ground beetles, lacewings, earwigs and some types of spiders.
Protect beneficial insects, bring the seven-spot ladybugs, aphelinuses and aphidius to the beds. It is easy to attract riders and hoverflies if you plant herbs in the beds with pepper. First, it is better to study the photos of insects so as not to confuse and bring pests to the site.
In addition to birds and insects, nature has created plants that are able to fight harmful insects: Dalmatian chamomile, onion, garlic. Plant these plants next to peppers to keep aphids away.
Attention! Mallow, begonia, viburnum attract aphidids. Plant these plants away from pepper beds and the parasites will switch to them.
The smell of some spices - carrot tops, dill, parsley - also repels harmful insects.
Chemicals
Insecticidal and organic chemicals are produced to combat aphids... How to treat pepper from aphids during fruiting? In this case, the owners of summer cottages use biological preparations for pest control. Their main advantages are that they do not harm the microflora of the soil, and the harvest of peppers can be eaten within 24 hours after processing the plants.
Attention! Chemicals for plant pest control are toxic and hazardous to humans and animals.
Biological means:
- "Akarin"... To process a garden with an area of 10 m², 1 liter of solution is required. The effectiveness of the product decreases at temperatures below + 18 ° C.
- Fitoverm M used to combat fungal plant diseases. The drug is produced in the form of a paste and ampoules. One ampoule is diluted into 4 liters of solution. It only affects adults, which die 72 hours after treatment. This drug does not work on larvae. The processing is repeated 3-4 times.
Insecticidal drugs act quickly and effectively... Their main advantage is the destruction of parasites in one go. The most effective insecticides contain neonicotinoids and pyrethroids.
Important! During flowering, insecticidal preparations are not used.
Consider the most popular of insecticides:
- With the drug "Intavir" plants are treated in dry weather twice with an interval of 7 days. The drug is released in the form of tablets. The solution is made at the rate of 1 tablet per bucket of water. This amount is sufficient for processing crops with an area of 10 m². The protection is valid for 2-4 weeks.
- "Karbofos" - contact insecticide. Only those pests that get the solution die. Processing is carried out 2 times with an interval of 10 days. The effect of the insecticide lasts 8-10 days. The solution is prepared at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. "Karbofos" for 10 liters of water.
- "Aktara" - a drug of contact and intestinal action. The main advantages of this insecticide are that it does not decompose and does not accumulate in the soil, does not cause an addictive effect in insects. The product is produced in the form of 5 ml ampoules. 1 ampoule is diluted in 10 liters of water. Processing is carried out twice at weekly intervals. The drug begins to work in 30 minutes.
Folk remedies
Folk remedies are safe for humans, but to a greater extent they prevent the attack of aphids. Experienced summer residents are advised to deal with aphids using soda, ammonia or hydrogen peroxide:
- hydrogen peroxide - mix 50 ml of hydroperite, 2 tbsp. l. medical alcohol, 0.5 tsp. liquid soap and 900 ml of water, spray the plants;
- ammonia - prepare a solution at the rate of 20 ml of ammonia per 10 liters of water, spray it on the plants (ammonia repels pests with a smell);
- baking soda - make a solution at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. coarsely grated laundry soap and 2 tbsp. l. soda in 1 liter of water, spray pepper bushes.
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Prevention
Prevention is the most effective method of dealing with aphids... This is painstaking, systematic work, but the time spent will pay off with an excellent harvest. It is always easier to prevent a problem than to fight it.
Preventive measures used in the fight against insect pests:
- disinfection of seeds (treatment with a solution of manganese and garlic) and soil - warming up (freezing) the soil;
- soil cultivation on the site - weeding out and digging, processing with garlic infusion;
- fighting ants on the site;
- manual collection and destruction of the pest.
As a preventive measure, the condition of the site is monitored, weeds and dry grass are removed in time in autumn. Buy seedlings only from trusted sellers. Areas of plants that have been damaged by aphids are removed daily.
Important! Timely watering is a prerequisite for pest control.
How can aphid seedlings be treated for preventive purposes? Summer residents often use onion and garlic tincture, since a specific smell scares off aphid larvae.
Conclusion
Aphids are one of the most dangerous enemies of garden crops. Among the main reasons for its appearance are the presence of an anthill on the site and errors in agricultural technology.
Only comprehensive care of plants, breeding entomophages on the site, regular preventive measures can prevent the appearance of such a dangerous parasite on the garden plot.