Undoubtedly, aphid is considered one of the most harmful and common pests. Many of its species can be found in the open garden and garden plots. Especially aphids like planting cucumbers and melons. Often there is aphid on cucumbers in the greenhouse, despite the measures of protection. In order to get rid of insects, you need to know how to destroy aphids without harm to plants.
Aphid: description of the pest
Aphids belong to the order of even-winged and has more than 35,000 species. Insects live in huge colonies and feed on the sap of all soda crops and houseplants. They carry viruses and diseases, which can lead to a massive destruction of cultivated plants and their death.
Did you know? Aphids are very afraid of frosts and winters on various wild and weedy plants, under the rosettes of basal leaves of winter weeds, as well as in greenhouses.Gourd aphid which affects cucumbers, has a narrow-oval body of 1.2 - 1.9 mm in length. The body cover is transparent, greenish and soft. On the forehead are the antennae, which are responsible for hearing and vision. The antennae consist of 5-6 segments. It should be noted that the aphid has excellent vision for the world of insects.
What is dangerous for aphids cucumbers
Aphids are located on the underside of leaves, stems and flower buds. Known to aphid as a pest of cucumber seedlings, who lives on the tops of young shoots. The insect feeds on plant sap that contains amino acids and carbohydrates. All this leads to depletion of the plant and its death. Therefore, if you notice that cucumber leaves began to curl and turn yellow, the plant slowed down in growth, carefully examine it for the presence of aphids.
Preventive measures, how to protect cucumbers from aphids
Protection of cucumbers from aphids should be carried out throughout the summer, as the insect moves easily from one site to another. To combat aphids was effective, preventive measures should be taken:
- timely remove fallen leaves and plant debris on the plots in order to prevent the possibility of wintering;
- spray planting cucumbers with infusions of plants that the aphids do not like - celandine, wormwood, onions, tops of tomatoes and potatoes;
- for prevention, you can use the infusion of wood ash with the addition of liquid soap.
How to deal with aphids on cucumbers
One of the most important issues for gardeners and gardeners is how to destroy aphids.
What means to use: folk remedies for aphids, mechanical or chemical?
Mechanical way
The mechanical method is cleaning aphids on cucumbers manually or with water. This method will help in a small area and for a short period of time, as the remaining aphid will quickly spread with a new force.
Important! If you decide to fight with aphids mechanically, make sure that it is not in the neighboring areas, from which it can easily fly to the vacated space.Aphids easily fly from one site to another and at the same time quickly multiply. Therefore, this method to protect cucumbers from aphids is not particularly effective.
How to deal with aphids by chemical methods
Many gardeners choose a chemical agent for aphids on cucumbers:
- the use of complexes like "Aktofit" or "Bitoxibacillin";
- insecticide treatment: "Confidor", "Aktara";
- use chemical solutions "Aktellik", "Karate", "Fury", etc. They are adsorbed by the root system and introduced by drip irrigation.
Important! Many gardeners are wondering if spread aphid in the greenhouse, how to get rid of it? When the defeat of aphids is not large-scale, it is best to apply a solution of soap (on 2 cups of water - 2 teaspoons of grated soap). If the plants are severely affected - you should use chemicals for the treatment of aphids.Chemical aids from aphids on cucumbers are used in large areas for the effective and complete destruction of the pest.
Aphids on cucumbers: how to fight folk remedies
Folk remedies for aphids will help with a slight spread:
- infusion of tobacco and soap;
- phyto-infusions (celandine, wormwood, etc.);
- leaves infused in water;
- garlic infusion (garlic head, liquid soap and vegetable oil).
Important! When processing solutions should be sprayed plants carefully and always under the leaves, as folk remedies have only a local effect, unlike chemical ones.
Folk remedies can help with a small defeat of plants in small areas. If you use infusions based on soap or plants, carry out a thorough treatment several times in a row, before the complete destruction of the pest.
Helpers in the garden: what insects will help get rid of aphids on cucumbers
Ladybug is a predator insect that eats aphids. If you can bring them to your site, they will help you get rid of the annoying pest. Ladybugs are very fond of dill and leaf mustard. So you should take care that these plants are on your site. You can also collect cows in the field and bring in the garden.
To effectively deal with aphids on cucumbers It is worth applying an integrated approach. You can use both chemicals and the fight against aphids by folk methods, which will help get rid of the pest as soon as possible. Also do not forget about preventive measures.
