Tomato beds often attract pests. The most dangerous of them is considered to be the whitefly - it sucks the juice of the plant, which leads to its drying out and death. Both adult moths and larvae are pests.
What to do if there are white midges on tomatoes, how to deal with them, and what measures can be taken to protect the crop from pests - you will learn all this from our article.
Why white midge appears on tomatoes and how to get rid of it
Whiteflies often attack tomatoes grown in greenhouses or greenhouses. Insects appear when it rains frequently. The moth looks like an ordinary midge, only white. The pest most often appears in mid-summer under favorable conditions - high humidity and high air temperatures.
A gardener may not immediately recognize that pests have appeared on his site - whiteflies choose to live on the lower leaves of a plant or hide on their insides.
You can save the entire crop from white midges if there are only moths on the plants without larvae. The fight against small pests needs to be approached comprehensively.
The most common ways are:
- fumigation;
- chemical treatment;
- biological drugs;
- bait.
Folk remedies
Adults can be collected using sweet baits. To do this, sweet syrup is poured into saucers (water is diluted with sugar, jam, honey). The mixture should be thick. Insects will get stuck in the traps.
Another option is to make small flags from toothpicks and paper. The surface is generously smeared with honey, and the trap is stuck into the ground. Flags are changed as needed.
An easy way to catch adult insects is to use a vacuum cleaner. To do this, it is better to take a disposable bag, which will be thrown away immediately. The hose is used to treat the window sill, pots and windows. The more powerful the vacuum cleaner, the better. It will easily draw in midges, but to prevent them from scattering, the bag is immediately thrown into the trash on the street.
The soil is treated with a soap solution. To prepare it, use laundry or tar soap; ordinary soap will not work. It is allowed to use green sticks - they are made from herbs and are safe for seedlings.
For 1 liter of warm water you will need 20 g of soap. The solution is allowed to brew for several hours. To facilitate dissolution, the soap is rubbed or finely crushed. The soil is first loosened and then watered. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times.
For spraying, use a solution of potassium permanganate. It should be pale pink, almost transparent. Plants are sprayed with it.
All these products are cut, placed in the ground, and lightly dug in. The pungent smell and essential oils repel insects and prevent them from laying eggs. Wood ash powder is sprinkled on plants - this gets rid of midges, preventing the development of stem rot.
It is effective to use onion infusion for watering and spraying. To do this, take a handful of onion peels and pour a glass of boiling water over it. Leave to infuse until the water cools. All seedlings are treated with the resulting solution.
It is effective to sprinkle the ground with cinnamon, red pepper, and tobacco powder. This will stop the rotting processes in the soil. The midges will be deprived of food, which will prevent them from reproducing further.
Signs of infection
It is easy to recognize plant damage by the following external signs:
- yellowing and curling of leaves;
- uneven ripening of fruits;
- discoloration of the internal tissues of tomatoes;
- formation of plaque on the upper leaves;
- presence of insects on the inside of the leaf;
- when you touch the plant, a cloud of midges rises.
What kind of pests could these be?
Many insects can parasitize nightshades. There are two types of midges living on tomatoes: some pests are black in color and are constantly on the move, not inhabiting the plant. Other midges are white and settle on the leaves of seedlings.
The most dangerous pest is the greenhouse whitefly. Her body size is 3 mm. The insect prefers to inhabit the inside of the lower leaves of seedlings, where it lays eggs.
Whiteflies carry viral diseases - leaf curl, chlorosis and jaundice. If measures are not taken in time, this may affect the growth, flowering of the plant, its leaves and fruits.
The moths themselves are not so dangerous - they can be easily eliminated using folk or chemical means. However, it is not so easy to deal with insect larvae - they have protection in the form of a special coating, which reduces the effectiveness of the drugs. In addition, if you use the same products, insects can develop immunity to them.
What harm can they do?
White midges are the most dangerous pests of nightshades. Despite their small size, the damage they cause can be colossal. As soon as midges or their larvae attach to the plant, they begin to consume its sap. Because of this, the seedlings begin to experience a lack of nutrients, which affects their fruits. As a result, the green mass of the plant dries out and falls off, and the fruits wrinkle.
The vital activity of small midges leads to the formation of plaque on the top of the leaf, which can cause it to curl. At first it has a transparent color, which later turns black, indicating the formation of sooty fungi. Parasites appear from insect secretions. They cover the plant stem and fruits.
Life cycle and distribution
Due to their rapid reproduction, midges can produce up to 5 generations in one season. Thanks to the ability of some species to fly, they easily move from one bush to another and so on throughout all tomato beds. The life cycle of whiteflies depends on the presence of ants nearby. At night, anthills provide shelter for pests. This is where they lay their eggs. White midges do not have good flight ability, but in case of danger they can quickly move to a more secluded place, where they accumulate in large numbers.
Insects lay eggs in the spring, when the ground has warmed up sufficiently. White midges breed on tomatoes in a greenhouse all year round. The larvae are born within a week after laying. Having found a secluded place, they pupate and within two weeks become invulnerable to chemicals and other treatments. After a while, adult individuals emerge from the cocoons and begin active reproduction. The full development cycle is 25 days, and the lifespan of one female is about 30 days. During her life she manages to lay about 140 eggs.
Whitefly butterfly
Types of insect control
It is important to note that not all control methods are effective at all stages of insect development. The plaque that forms on the leaves as a result of the vital activity of midges is a barrier against chemical and biological agents. Therefore, to quickly destroy pests, you need to use an integrated approach.
Chemical control methods
Manufacturers annually produce a large number of drugs against pests. Before purchasing the product, you need to study the instructions in order to properly treat the plant. Some drugs only need to be sprayed once, others need to be used regularly.
It is important to choose a drug suitable for a certain stage of insect development. So, moth repellents will not help get rid of larvae and pupae. Spraying is ineffective in controlling adults; they can fly from plant to plant.
Types of chemicals against whiteflies:
- systemic insecticides - the drug penetrates the plant sap and poisons insects;
- contact insecticides - act when the pest comes into direct contact with the treated plant.
Important! Systemic drugs should not be used during the harvest period. The last treatment should be no later than 25-30 days before harvesting the fruits.
The most effective drugs against white midges are:
- "Pegasus";
- "Fufanon";
- "Confidor Extra";
- "Aktara";
- "Mospilan";
- "Decis-pro";
- "Phosbecide";
- "Aktellik".
Processing rules
So:
- The procedure is carried out on a warm, windless day.
- Chemicals are applied using a spray bottle.
- After treatment, you need to bring the plants into the shade or place a canopy over them to avoid burns.
- Alternate medications regularly.
- Use a product suitable for the specific stage of insect development.
Important! Do not immediately use strong chemicals; toxic compounds can accumulate in the soil and poison the plants.
Biological drugs
The essence of biological agents is the use of living microorganisms that can resist the action of pests. In the case of whiteflies, manufacturers produce preparations with insects that can eat white midge larvae.
A cardboard with a biological product is hung on tomato bushes. After some time, microorganisms begin to spread throughout the plant, destroying whitefly larvae and pupae.
Fitoverm is considered the most effective biological preparation; after its use, you can harvest within two days. The product contains compounds that quickly decompose in the soil; they do not harm the plant.
Traditional proven methods
Experienced summer residents note that folk remedies can effectively combat pests without developing resistance in them.
These methods include:
- Cold. Moths do not like low temperatures, so you need to take the seedlings out into the fresh air from time to time. The method is suitable only for cold-resistant varieties; the pest will die only when the temperature drops to +10C.
- Insect traps. Glue baits, which can be made at home, are especially effective - a sheet of plywood is painted yellow and generously smeared with glue, Vaseline, oil or honey. The bait is placed near the affected plants. You can also hang regular adhesive fly tape.
- Infusion of yarrow. Pour 1 kg of plant leaves into a bucket of water and leave for two days in a warm place. Then the infusion is filtered. It is used for spraying. The procedure is carried out 2-3 times with an interval of 7 days.
- Dandelion decoction - pour 1 kg of fresh flowers into 1 bucket of water, add 1 tbsp. washing powder. The mixture is infused for a day, then filtered. Suitable for processing bushes and soil.
- Soap products - used when there are large numbers of insects, as well as in cases where the use of chemicals is undesirable. To treat the leaves, you can use laundry soap - grind 1 bar and dilute it in water in a ratio of 1:6. Before applying to the leaves, you need to whip up the foam; you can also spray the bushes with the solution. The product does not require rinsing.
- Garlic infusion - chop 10 cloves and add 5 liters of water, leave to infuse overnight in a warm place. Before use, the infusion must be filtered.
- Water - used to wipe the leaves. Effective in the fight against adult insects.
Fumigation of greenhouses
The procedure should be carried out twice a year - before planting seedlings and after harvesting. Before fumigation, you need to close the windows and doors, and also plug all the cracks.
Sulfur candles can be used for fumigation, but they are only suitable if the room is located away from residential buildings. Before carrying out the procedure, you need to remove all tomatoes from the greenhouse.
You can use smoke bombs with insecticides in those greenhouses that are located near your home. In this case, you can leave the seedlings in the greenhouse. The product will help kill not only adults, but also larvae, and will also protect against various diseases.
The smoke control method can be carried out using tobacco. You need to put a sheet of iron on the ground, on top of which you place newspaper, wood chips and tobacco. Before the procedure, you need to lubricate the glass of the greenhouse with Vaseline. After the fire is lit, the disturbed insects will rush to the windows and stick to them.
What herbs will save tomatoes?
By sowing the right herbs in an area with tomato beds, you can forget about pests forever. These herbs include dill - it attracts insects that feed on midges. It can be planted between the beds.
Experienced summer residents often plant tobacco along the perimeter of the site. Although this plant will not repel whiteflies, it will bear the brunt of the attack. Most of the insects will begin to settle in the tobacco bushes, which will give the vegetable grower time to begin pest control.
Mechanical methods
The fight against whiteflies in a greenhouse is also carried out using light and natural enemies of midges. You can also catch adults using a vacuum cleaner.
Whiteflies, like other moths, are attracted to light. One person enters the greenhouse and begins to shake the bushes, while the other stands at the exit and holds a blowtorch in his hands. This procedure can be carried out every 2-3 days.
During the day, you can spread pieces of foil between the beds. The sun's rays will reflect off the foil and fall on the lower leaves of the tomatoes where the insects live.
The enemies of white midges are ladybugs and lacewings. If you attract these insects to the area, you can quickly eliminate the problem. You can also populate the greenhouse with pupae of the encarsia wasp and the macrolophus bug.
Features of the use of insecticides
It is necessary to fight insects on the leaves and larvae in the ground. For this it is better to use special chemicals. Insecticides are potent drugs. Safety precautions must be followed.
Types of funds:
- Aerosols. Sprayed in the habitats of flies, scare away and destroy them. Destroy cockroaches, ticks, flies.
- Solutions. Designed for spraying and watering the soil.
- Powders. They are laid in the ground and destroy the larvae.
Each group has its pros and cons.
Before using any drug, you must carefully study the instructions. Follow the dosage. You should not add more product, otherwise it will lead to the death of the seedlings.
The treatment is carried out in a non-residential area. You can go out onto the balcony or into the courtyard. A man puts on protective clothing, gloves, and a face mask. Animals, children, and other adults are removed from the room.
For treatment, it is better to use several products that are aimed at the soil and the plant itself. First the soil is processed, then the stems and leaves.
Repeated treatment is carried out after a week. The room is washed, ventilated, and hard-to-reach places are cleaned especially well.
Of the cheap and effective insecticides, Dichlorvos is often chosen. It is caustic and can burn plants. For processing you need to take a plastic bag. The product is carefully sprayed inside it. After which the bag is fixed over the seedling. It should not touch the leaves. Therefore, it is secured with a support in the ground or with the help of external objects.
The “greenhouse” is left for 10 hours, after which it is removed. This method effectively gets rid of larvae and adults.
The nuances of getting rid of midges
The conditions for growing tomatoes in open ground and in a greenhouse are significantly different. Midges can appear in both closed and open beds. When dealing with pests, it is important to take into account some features.
In the open ground
Whitefly can also attack seedlings grown in open ground. Often, to preserve the harvest, summer residents use folk remedies. These include herbs, soap, garlic or ash. Using ammonia is also effective - dilute 50 ml of the product in a bucket of water.
You can add a little liquid soap to the solution. The product is used for spraying, the procedure is carried out once every 3 days until the pest is completely destroyed.
How to get rid of midges on tomatoes in a greenhouse
To destroy whiteflies in a greenhouse, you can use not only insecticides, but also conventional fumigators and spirals. Before turning on the device, you need to close the windows and doors. It is better to leave the premises during this period. Sticky anti-fly tapes can be hung throughout the greenhouse.
It is known that midges do not like the cold, so at night you can open the windows for ventilation.
After treating plants with chemicals, you need to create shade. To do this, you can cover the roof of the greenhouse with a dark, thick fabric.
Compost should not be stored indoors as it attracts insects. It is best to store it in a box on the site, away from greenhouses and greenhouses.
To treat plants indoors, you can use bleach - dilute 0.5 kg of the substance in 12 liters of water, leave for 2-3 hours. The product is used for spraying on beds.
To combat midges, you can use a mixture of dry tobacco and ash. The components are mixed and used to treat the soil.
Seedling protection
You can protect seedlings from whiteflies by pre-planting the soil with insecticides. It is also important to keep a distance when planting plants, since insects love dense beds due to impaired air circulation and moisture evaporation.
Tomatoes cannot be planted in the same place year after year. Moth larvae may be in the soil, so you need to follow the planting pattern - tomatoes can be returned to their original bed only after 3-4 seasons.
Seedling protection
The appearance of midges on seedlings is especially dangerous. Immature plants can die even from a small number of insects. If seedlings are grown on a windowsill, you need to use protective equipment carefully.
Wood ash as fertilizer
For prevention, it is best to generously sprinkle the soil around the plants with wood ash. You can also dig a crushed clove of garlic into each pot. This method of protection will not be enough for a long time; once every two weeks you will have to remove the old tooth and put in a new one.
Once a week you can water the soil in pots with a mixture of lemon juice and water. It’s a good idea to spray the seedlings with this liquid using a spray bottle. To ensure good adhesion of the liquid, you can add a little grated laundry or liquid soap to the water.
These simple tips will help you preserve your plants and get a bountiful harvest. The main rule is to carefully examine the plants at the slightest alarming symptoms and deal with pests immediately after their detection.
Pest prevention
The white midge is an insect that is difficult to get rid of. You can fight it for a long time, which will negatively affect seedlings and harvests. The use of chemicals is not always appropriate, especially if the gardener wants to get an environmentally friendly product. It is better to prevent a problem from occurring than to try to fix it later.
Preventive measures:
- Ventilate the greenhouse regularly even in winter.
- Disinfect structures.
- Keep the area clean - remove plant debris and weeds in a timely manner.
- Constantly dig up the ground.
- Do not store compost in a greenhouse or greenhouse.
Preparatory activities
If bugs or flies appear in the seedlings, it is necessary to get rid of them urgently. Any delay threatens that there will be even more of them. It is necessary to use ready-made chemicals to kill pests and folk remedies.
It is necessary to dry the soil and remove excess moisture. To do this, the pots are placed in the sun and not watered for several days.
The room needs to be thoroughly cleaned, the floor, trash can, and window sills should be washed. All organic residues are removed from surfaces.
If the pots with seedlings are equipped with a tray for collecting water, it must be emptied and dried in a timely manner.
Between waterings, you need to loosen the soil - this will improve drying and provide air access to the root system.
Use toothpicks to loosen small pots, and forks for larger ones.
Moderately dry soil allows:
- prevent rotting of the roots;
- prevent egg laying;
- deprive the larvae of food, as they feed on rotten roots.
In order to determine the degree of infection, you need to carefully remove the seedling from the pot and clean off the earthen lump. Afterwards the roots are inspected. If they are not covered with balls of worms, everything is not so scary.
You need to start fighting midges as soon as they are discovered. Do not allow adults to reproduce further.
In what ways can I get rid of it?
Considering the diversity (more than 4000) of aphid species, their unpretentiousness and extreme fertility, we must start with preventive measures:
- Since the aphid larva prefers fruit trees and shrubs for wintering, timely removal of old exfoliated bark and young growth, whitewashing with lime, and the use of ant traps are measures that can reduce the population of these insects.
- Fighting ants that have settled in the beds.
- The smell of garlic and onions repels aphids; it would be nice to dilute the tomato rows with them. Finally, plant marigolds. The smell of these unpretentious flowers is unbearable for aphids, but extremely attractive to its worst enemy - the ladybug.
- After harvesting, all plant debris from infected beds should be carefully removed and burned.
- The right green manure will also help clear the garden bed of aphids. It's all the same marigolds and mustard.
Small colonies of pests can simply be washed off with a hose or sponge and soapy water. But if the bush is thoroughly covered with black midges, you will have to use pesticides. They also fight aphids using traditional methods. Their effectiveness is somewhat lower than that of chemical agents, but there are undeniable advantages. Let's look at both methods separately.
How to determine the presence of this parasite?
You are a wonderful owner, the soil in the beds is loose and moist. So why do your tomatoes look so sad? Most likely they were attacked by aphids. Colonies of black midges occupy the tops of young shoots and actively colonize the underside of leaf blades. Ants scurrying around tomato bushes can be a harbinger of an aphid attack. After all, aphids are literally a delicacy for ants. In order to obtain a sugar-containing waste product - honeydew, ants carry aphids to new pastures - young plant leaves, protecting them from predators.
When changing their place of residence, ant families always take aphids with them so as not to be deprived of an uninterrupted source of sugars. And of course, they colonize plants near the anthill. Aphids reproduce very quickly; in a month, one midge produces several hundred thousand new individuals. Among them there are winged ones that fly long distances. Aphids feed on plant juices, piercing the surface of leaves and young shoots with their proboscis. They can completely destroy a young plant. A more mature plant slows down its growth, the leaves curl, the fruits become smaller, and ovaries do not form in place of the eaten flowers. Aphids not only deprive the plant of vital juices, but also infect it with viral diseases.
