How to deal with aphids on cucumbers from the bottom of the leaves: the most effective measures to save the harvest
Melons, or cotton aphids have an exorbitant appetite and are able to destroy the fruits of the efforts of gardeners in a few days, if you do not start a fight with it in time. Processing with various solutions is complicated by the fact that the bugs hide from the back of the leaves, so the greens have to be sprayed especially carefully.
From the article you will learn what are the causes and symptoms of the appearance of aphids on cucumbers from the bottom of the leaves, how to deal with it using insecticides, biological products and home remedies based on herbs, soda, ammonia, wood ash.
The content of the article
Causes of aphids
The first reason for the appearance of aphids on cucumbers is ants. They feed on sweet dew, which is formed as a result of the vital activity of pests and accumulates on the back of the leaves. Moving from place to place, the ants carry the larvae on themselves, spreading aphids on the site.
The second reason is the violation of agrotechnical rules. Untimely weeding, dense planting of cucumbers, poor ventilation in the greenhouse, high nitrogen content in the soil - all this contributes to the appearance of aphids on the site.
Bugs find shelter in dried weeds, plant remains from the previous season. Females intensify their activity in spring when the air warms up to + 5 ° С. The ants transfer insects to young plants, where females begin to lay eggs on the back of the leaves.
Symptoms of defeat
At the initial stage of infection, it is difficult to see small bugs merging with greenery. But as aphids spread in the area, the first symptoms appear:
- plants are delayed in growth and development;
- flowering begins much later than expected;
- the upper leaves first wither, then dry and curl;
- droplets of liquid appear on the leaves - honeydew;
- a large number of ants appear on the site;
- the ovaries dry and fall off;
- the lower leaves wither;
- the reverse side of the leaves seems to be covered with bugs of green or black color.
In the photo - leaves of cucumbers infected with aphids.
Damage dealt
As a result of inaction or ineffective pest control methods:
- cucumber seedlings die in 50% of cases;
- plants slow down in development, flowers and ovaries die off;
- planting infects the cucumber mosaic virus, which carries aphids.
How to deal with aphids on cucumbers
What to do if aphids attack cucumbers? Pest control is a long and gradual process that requires patience. The most effective means are contact-intestinal insecticides and biological preparations with a paralytic effect.
Folk remedies help repel insects, but are not able to completely destroy them. Herbal decoctions and infusions, soda, vinegar and ammonia are used during the fruiting period. It is forbidden to use chemicals at this time.
Manual collection is the most laborious and ineffective method. It is used for minor damage to landings.
Chemicals
Chemical preparations help to quickly and effectively get rid of the pest. Treatments are carried out before the appearance of fruit ovaries. Leaves, roots and fruits instantly absorb toxic substances. Eating such cucumbers in food leads to poisoning of the body.
The table shows the chemicals and dosage.
| Name | Act | Application |
| "Decis" | Has a paralytic effect on the nervous system. | Dissolve 0.35-0.5 g of powder in 5 liters of water. Consumption - 100 m².Carry out the processing after sunset in dry, calm weather. |
| "Inta-vir" | A drug with a paralytic effect on the nerve cells of the pest. Protection lasts up to 15 days. | 1 tab. 10 liters of water. Spray the bushes during the growing season. |
| "Aktara" | Paralyzes the nervous system of the insect 30 minutes after entering the intestines. Protection with foliar treatment - 24 days, with root - 60 days. | 250 ml of solution per 10 liters of water. Process the cucumbers once before flowering.
|
| "Tanrek" | Has a systemic toxic effect on the central nervous system of bugs. The protective period is 1 month. | 1.5 ml of substance per 1 liter of water. Stir the solution and add 4 l of water. Consumption 10 liters per 100 m². |
| "Danadim" | Systemic insecticide with a contact-intestinal action that inhibits the central nervous system of insects. Protection - up to 3 weeks. | Consumption 0.5-1 l per 1 ha. Carry out processing in the evening in dry weather. |
| "Confidor" | A drug with a paralytic effect. Protection lasts up to 30 days. | Dilute 1-2 g in 100 ml of water, then bring the volume to 10 liters. For processing 100 m², 1 ml of the preparation is sufficient. |
Traditional methods
Natural remedies work to repel aphids. The table contains the most effective infusions and solutions.
| Name | Preparation and application |
| Marigold | Pour dried flowers into 10 liters of water and leave for two days. Strain and stir in 50 g of laundry or tar soap crumbs. |
| Yarrow | Pour 1 kg of fresh herbs with 5 liters of hot water. After two hours, add 10 liters of water and use to process plantings. |
| Celandine | Pour 0.5 kg of dry raw materials with 10 liters of warm water, leave for two days. Spray the bushes with a spray bottle. |
| Mustard | Pour 20 g of mustard beans into 2 liters of warm water. Insist for two days and add 2 liters of clean water. |
| Dandelion roots | Grind 0.5 kg of fresh roots and pour 5 liters of water. Insist 2 hours and start spraying. |
| Hot pepper | Finely chop two peppercorns and pour 10 liters of water. After a day, strain and mix in 50 g of laundry soap crumbs, 150 g of wood ash, 5-7 drops of iodine. Spray the bushes with a spray bottle. |
| Garlic | Chop 400 g of garlic arrows and pour 2 liters of warm water. Insist for 5-6 days, bring the volume to 10 liters and process the herbs. |
| Horseradish | Grate 8-10 fresh roots on a fine grater, pour 3 liters of hot water. Insist 3-4 hours, strain, squeeze the cake and pour 3 liters of warm water over it. Leave the liquid for three hours to infuse. Then top up the concentrate remaining after filtering. Before use, dilute 300 ml of infusion with 5 liters of water. |
| Onion peel | Pour 200 g of husk with 5 liters of warm water for 12 hours. Then add 20 ml of liquid soap and stir. Use a liquid to spray the plantings. |
| Tobacco dust | Pour 0.5 kg of tobacco into 10 liters of hot water. Insist for two days, add 50 g of soap shavings and mix thoroughly. |
| Wood ash | Pour 150 g of ash and 250 g of laundry soap crumbs with 10 liters of water. Shake and spray the bushes before use. |
| Soap solution | Dissolve 125 ml of liquid soap or 200 g of tar or laundry soap crumbs in 10 liters of warm water and immediately spray the cucumbers. |
| Soda | Dissolve 150 g of baking soda in 5 liters of warm water, add 20 drops of lavender essential oil and process the plants. |
| Dairy products | Sour milk, kefir, milk whey are slightly diluted with warm water and processed daily until insects are completely eliminated. |
| Ammonia | Add 60 ml of ammonia, 50 ml of liquid soap to 10 liters of water and spray the bushes. |
| Vinegar | 200 ml of vinegar 9%, 50 g of soap crumbs, pour 10 liters of water. Process cucumbers with a spray bottle. |
Biological methods
Biological agents are used throughout the growing season. Active components do not accumulate in herbs and cucumbers and do not pose a danger to humans.
| Name | Act | Application |
| "Bitoxibacillin" | Getting into the intestines of an insect, the drug disrupts metabolic processes and blocks the flow of nutrients. | 80-100 g / 10 l of water. Spraying during the growing season with an interval of 15-17 days.Consumption - 1-3 l / 10 m². |
| "Aquarin" | Kills aphids in 48 hours. The action is directed but blocking the flow of nutrients from the digestive tract. | 80 ml / 10 l of water. Processing frequency is three times per season. |
| "Aktofit" | The toxin affects the central nervous system, completely immobilizing insects. Not addictive. | Consumption - 8 ml / 1 l of water. The frequency of treatments is twice a season. |
| Fitoverm | The active substance aversectin enters the body through the intestinal tract, causing paralysis. | 10 ml / 1 l of water. Consumption rate - 1.5 liters for each bush. Processing - twice a season. |
| "Entobacterin" | It has a nerve-paralytic effect. Completely destroys aphids in a week. | 10 g / 1 l of water. Spray the bushes with a spray bottle. |
| "Arrow" | Contains bitoxibacillin spores. Insects lose their ability to feed. Destroys the pest in 10 days. | 50 g / 10 l of water. For better adhesion to the leaves, add 1 tbsp. l. dry milk or 25 ml of liquid soap. |
Agrotechnical techniques
Agrotechnical methods are aimed at increasing the protective forces of cucumbers and the use of environmentally friendly methods of dealing with aphids. The effectiveness of such methods is high when used together.
Agrotechnical techniques:
- Attracting beneficial insects and birds: ladybirds, hoverflies, earwigs, lacewings, predatory wasps, sparrows, tits. To do this, marigolds, parsley, fennel, dill, cilantro, basil, caraway seeds, oregano, daisies are planted on the site. Feeders and drinkers are hung to attract birds.
- Planting plants to lure aphids and distract attention from cucumbers. Beetles prefer the delicate greens of dill, sow thistle and legumes. Plants are sown along the beds. This technique involves the use of healthy seeds, timely fertilization, proper watering, maintenance of the optimum temperature (+ 25 ... + 30 ° С during the day, + 15 ... + 18 ° С at night) and humidity (70–80%) in the greenhouse.
- Preventive watering with infusion of nettle, tomato tops in June. The infusion repels aphids, saturates the soil with nitrogen.
Features of the fight against aphids in closed and open ground
To get rid of aphids in the greenhouse and in the garden they use the same chemical, biological, folk remedies and agricultural techniques. When handling chemicals, use respirators to protect the respiratory tract and long-sleeved clothing to protect the skin. Neglect of this rule threatens to seriously poison the body.
To increase immunity, plants are fed with potassium-phosphorus fertilizer (10 g of potassium sulfate, 20 g of superphosphate / 10 l of water). The plantings are sprayed with a solution 1 time / 10 days. Strong and healthy bushes are less affected by aphids.
In the fall, 10-15 cm of the top layer of the soil is removed in the greenhouse or treated with copper-containing preparations, sulfur checkers.
They dig up the ground in an open area, weed weeds, uproot old stumps, get rid of anthills in which aphids winter.
Reference. Anthills are poured with "Anteater" or hot water, and the beds are regularly loosened to scare away insects.
How to prevent aphids
To prevent infection of plantings with aphids, it is recommended:
- cultivate insect-resistant varieties and hybrids;
- close the vents and doors in the greenhouse with a mosquito net or gauze;
- cover plantings in open ground with thin agrofibre that allows air to pass through;
- fight ants at the same time;
- get rid of weeds in time;
- dressing seed before planting in the ground;
- disinfect the earth with potassium permanganate, copper sulfate;
- fumigate greenhouses with sulfur bombs in autumn;
- alternate means for treatment with a bush to prevent resistance;
- do not thicken the planting;
- regularly fertilize cucumbers with potassium-phosphorus dressings.
Reviews
The problem of contamination of cucumber plantings with aphids is familiar to many gardeners. Over the years of practice, everyone has determined for themselves the best method of dealing with a pest.
Andrey, Borisoglebsk: “At the first sign of aphids, I treat the bushes with Fitoverma solution.I dilute one ampoule in a glass of water and spray the leaves from above and below, twice, with an interval of a week. It is important not to spare the solution and to process the leaves abundantly, especially from the back side. "
Inna, Stary Oskol: “Last year there was a real aphid invasion. I have a negative attitude to chemistry and do not use harmful drugs on my site. Therefore, I used a proven method. I take 1 kg of potato tops, pour 10 liters of warm water and leave for five hours. Then I filter and add 1 tbsp. l. liquid soap. Spraying leaves a foam on the leaves and prolongs the action of the solution. Remember that the tops are poisonous. If the concentration is exceeded, burns will appear on the leaves.
Olga, Vyazma: “To fight aphids, I use the old grandfather's method. I add 100 g of wood ash to 10 liters of water and mix in 30-50 g of grated laundry soap. The tool has never failed. "
Read also:
Aphids appeared on pepper in a greenhouse.
Aphids on tomatoes: how to deal with flowering and what remedies to choose.
Conclusion
Fighting aphids on cucumbers is not a quick matter, especially when time is lost and the pest has managed to capture a large area. Experienced gardeners recommend combating in a complex manner, using agrotechnical methods (sowing herbs to attract beneficial insects, timely weeding, increasing plant immunity) and processing with chemical, biological and folk remedies.
Spraying plantings is carried out carefully, not forgetting to process the leaves from below. After all, it is there that aphids are hiding and actively multiplying. Insecticides are alternated with biologicals and herbal infusions so as not to become addictive. When carrying out treatments with chemicals, observe safety precautions, protecting the skin and respiratory organs.