White podars: photo of the insect and protection of indoor plants from them

Podury: photo

Fools: photo.

Why do colonies of springtails attack indoor plants?

When watering, you can notice accumulations of collembola bodies on the surface of the soil and unabsorbed water.
They are tiny in size (0.25–6 mm), elongated or round in shape, and have 6 legs. Poduras are wingless creatures of gray, white, brown color that slowly crawl along the substrate and jump short distances. Springtails belong to the subclass Collembola. Representatives of this group of insects develop in the soil and feed on dead plant organs, fungi, algae, and bacteria. Springtails are capable of changing their diet and damaging tender parts of plants. They do not attack humans or animals.

In moist soils with a high organic content, at favorable temperatures, springtails multiply quickly. As soon as the earthen ball dries out, the body of the collembola begins to lose moisture. The entire colony goes in search of a wetter substrate.

Poduras enter the house from the street if the lawn or flower bed is dry. They penetrate through ventilation holes, cesspools, and any sources of moisture around the premises. In rooms where it is damp, they can even be found in furniture. As soon as the pockets of mold and moisture disappear, the springtails die or go in search of favorable places.

Description of the pest

Name: Real fools Lat.:
Poduridae

Class: Springtails - Collembola Order: Springtails - Poduromorpha

Podura: photo.

Poduras are similar to small caterpillars. Color white or cream. Very rarely they are greenish or silvery. Body length is about 2 mm. Sometimes the length reaches 1 cm. The body has an oval shape.

Thanks to a special fork, they jump perfectly, pushing off with its help. This is what distinguishes the insect from the mealybug. When at rest, the organ is hidden under the abdomen.

The eggs are round in shape. The color is greenish-yellow with shine. After laying, larvae identical to adult individuals appear within 18–20 days. The larvae pose the same danger to flowers as the adults.

Very often, fools are confused with springtails, which live in indoor plants. In order not to be confused, we will continue to consider insects and pests of indoor plants.

Effective methods of control

The main thing is to figure out why springtails appeared at home, in open or closed ground.
The main reason is excess soil and air moisture. To combat pests, you will have to eliminate the factors that attract insects. How to proceed:

Folk remedies and recipes

It is not difficult to repel pests from orchids, violets, and camellias when using natural ingredients. Flower growers share their secrets of fighting tiny parasites.

Proven methods:

potato bait. The method is simple: divide the raw tuber into two halves, place the potatoes cut side down, and check the trap after 3-4 hours. Tiny insects actively gather around potatoes. The owners should quickly cover the piece of tuber with a bag or glass and remove the container along with the insects

It is important to act quickly, carefully, and remember: springtails on orchids, gloxinias, azaleas do not stay in one place for a long time, they jump to a new area,

wood ash against poisons. A good remedy for reducing the number of pests and reducing soil moisture

Directions for use: spread ash no more than 1 cm over the soil surface, reduce watering, reduce air humidity to optimal levels. For azaleas and camellias that prefer soils with high acidity, you should not use a natural component.

Preparations to combat springtails

Traditional methods are effective and safe for plants, but when the colony is large, potato baits and sprinkling the soil with wood ash do not give the desired result. Parasites actively gnaw at the roots, suck out the juices, and the plant weakens before our eyes.

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How to provide first aid and how to treat allergies to insect bites is written on this page.

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Effective compositions for combating springtails:

Dimilin. Low-toxic product, active ingredient – ​​diflubenzuron 250 g/kg. Broad-spectrum insecticide, insect growth regulator. Release form: wettable powder. A new generation drug with a residual effect of up to 40 days. The product is safe for people and animals (you should still not forget about measures to protect the skin, respiratory organs, and eyes), and quickly decomposes in water and soil. Regent. The product contains the active component fipronil, which disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses, causing paralysis in harmful insects. A contact-intestinal insecticide destroys a colony of pests in a few days. The drug is sold in two forms: ampoules with concentrated liquid and powder

When processing the soil, be careful; be sure to protect your eyes, respiratory organs, and skin from drops of the solution. Bazudin

A long-acting drug protects plants from many soil pests

Bazudin. A long-acting drug protects plants from many soil pests

Active substance – diazinon, 100 g/kg. A hazard class 3 product with a pungent odor. Granules have a complex effect on parasites and pests. To kill insects in flowerpots with indoor flowers, dig granules to a depth of 1 cm. Podurs die within a day after using the drug, the residual effect lasts up to six weeks. A contact-intestinal insecticide with translaminar action does not harm plants.

Common types

The parasite population depends on the humidity level. High humidity promotes active reproduction. Among the most common varieties, it is worth highlighting several main ones.

White . Living in the upper layer of the earth. Favorite places are greenhouses and greenhouses.

Vegetable . Eats ornamental crops and garden plants.

Mushroom . It feeds on young vegetative organs of plants and seedlings.

Fighting methods

Folk remedies

How to get rid of fools at home? If a small number of poduras appear in the substrate, do not rush to use chemical plant protection products; they can cause more harm to the orchid than a few insects.

When pests appear, the orchid should first of all:

• Isolate to prevent the spread of dura to other plants;
• Mechanical soil cleaning is carried out.

Good results can be achieved:

• Laying out bait in the form of raw potatoes cut into pieces on the substrate around the plant. In a few days, a large number of springtails will accumulate on it, which are easy to collect and eliminate;
• When immersing a flower with a pot in water for 20 minutes. All adult individuals will float to the surface in the water, after which they are collected and destroyed.

In addition, there are a number of other home methods to combat these insects.

Herbal decoctions of medicinal herbs. These decoctions have long been prepared to combat various harmful insects:

• Flowers of chamomile, calendula, dandelion, yarrow. To prepare a decoction, add 0.5 liters of water to 20 g of dry plants, bring everything to a boil and remove after ten minutes. Cool at room temperature, filter and treat the affected plants;
• Infusion of marigolds. Faded marigolds along with the leaves are poured with hot water in a 1:1 ratio and left for two days.

After treating the orchid with herbal decoctions, you should record the date of spraying in order to repeat the procedure after 7-10 days.

Herbal infusions are made against fools.

You can also use other solutions:

• Mustard solution. To prepare the solution, mustard powder (15 g) is poured into 1 liter of hot water and infused for 2 days. The resulting preparation is sprayed onto the plant, and dry mustard is sprinkled onto the soil;
• Mulching the soil with birch wood ash. A good result in the fight against springtails is obtained after sprinkling the soil with wood ash (birch ash is best) in a layer of one or two centimeters;
• Anti-flea shampoo for animals. A solution with the addition of flea shampoo showed unexpected effectiveness. To prepare 1 tbsp. l. shampoo is dissolved in a bucket of water, the plant and substrate are sprayed. After a short time after treatment, the orchids disappear.

The listed measures, which are used individually or in combination, are sufficient to protect indoor plants from any number of springtails.

Fitoverm

Fitoverm is a natural pesticide that is obtained during microbiological cultivation of the producing fungus. The drug is environmentally friendly, as a result of which its effect on the orchid will be minimal:

• The insect absorbs the drug along with food, as a result of which the poison affects only mature individuals and larvae. Podura eggs remain viable after treatment with phytoverm, so after 6-7 days it is necessary to spray again;
• Fitoverm is not mixed with other insecticides or fungicides.

To spray an orchid, 2 ml of the drug is dissolved in 50 ml of water, 0.1 liter of solution is consumed per plant.

Chemicals

If it was not possible to get rid of the larvae and adults using the methods described above, then you should use chemicals. Currently, there are a number of agents that have shown effectiveness against springtails:

• Bazudin is a powdery product; a thin layer of it is scattered over the surface of the substrate. As a result, after just a few hours, springtails will no longer annoy the plant;
• Pochin - used similarly to bazudine. To increase the efficiency of the process, the scattered preparation is mixed with a small amount of earth;
• Aktara is a universal drug, used in the form of a solution, which is used to water the soil and dilute it according to the instructions;
• Mospilan is also used to treat soil against podura in the form of a solution.

Chemical agents effectively help in the fight against fools.

These drugs will help control pests in a short time.

Precautionary measures

When working with insecticides, it is necessary to comply with safety rules:

• Children and pets are not allowed near the sprayed orchid;
• Work with insecticides is carried out with gloves and a respirator;
• After finishing work, the tools are thoroughly washed and stored in a separate place;
• In case of contact with skin, the insecticide is washed off with water and detergents. If the product gets into the eyes, rinse with running water;
• It is prohibited to eat or drink while carrying out work.

Used ampoules or packaging are wrapped in polyethylene and thrown away, the remaining solution is poured down the drain.

Reasons for the appearance of dupes

A small number of insects are always present in the soil of indoor plants, greenhouses, and especially open areas. They cause harm in large numbers. The appearance of parasites on ornamental plants is associated with:

• high humidity due to disruption of the irrigation system - watering should not be abused;
• increased level of moisture in the room - a damp microclimate contributes to the invasion of insects;
• the development of putrefactive processes - this refers to black tea leaves that rot, and to stagnation of moisture. They need to be removed;
• non-compliance with certain temperatures;
• weakened immune system in a calm state;
• the presence of moss in the container;
• violation of care - fallen leaves rot and attract fungi and parasites.

Mechanical methods of struggle

Poor quality care, accumulations of dried leaves and excess moisture create ideal conditions for the growth of houseplants. Therefore, to eliminate pests, it is necessary, first of all, to regulate watering, which is the main cause of increased soil moisture. Deprived of their usual and comfortable living conditions, springtails will no longer disturb the plant.

There are other ways to get rid of the fool:

It is very important to comply with indoor humidity levels. To do this, you should ventilate the room more often, dry clothes outside, and provide access to sunlight. A special device that absorbs excess moisture will help regulate the humidity level. Sprinkling the soil with ash or sand is one of the most effective methods of killing podura. It can be used for almost all plantings. The exception is plants growing in acidic soil. These include camellia, gardenia or azalea. To get rid of pests, it is enough to place the pot with the plant in water. After that, all that remains to do on its surface is to collect the floating springtails. Particular attention should be paid to the drainage system. After all, it is the clogging of the holes at the bottom of the flowerpot that causes water to stagnate. A few pebbles, which are placed on the bottom of the pot when replanting the flower, will help to avoid this. Replacing the substrate is another effective method to get rid of springtails

It is important not only to remove the contaminated soil, but also to thoroughly rinse the root system. You should also not use organic fertilizers too often. Residues of tea leaves or ground coffee can cause the development of mold or mildew, so they are added to the soil no more than once a week

After 2-3 days, the organic particles are removed and the substrate is carefully loosened so that the soil is enriched with oxygen. It is important to eliminate all factors that contribute to soil decay and mold. There is another original folk method of getting rid of the fungus, which is safe both for the plant and for the person himself. To do this, you will need a raw potato, which is cut into two parts, each of which is placed cut side down on the substrate. If you lift these halves after a few hours, you will see a lot of pests on them. After which the bait should be shaken off or washed off with water and the “bait” should be installed again.

How to recognize collembola?

The size of springtails ranges from 0.2 mm to 10 mm (very few species). Springtails prefer a secretive lifestyle in places with high humidity. They live in the soil, under the bark of dead trees, in leaf litter, and in cracks in stones. Springtails feed on fungal mycelium, bacterial plaque, algae, mosses, and lichens. Only a few species can feed on higher plants. Unfortunately, this is exactly what flower growers are faced with.

Identifying these representatives of the animal world is quite difficult. There are many views on the taxonomy of springtails, as a result of which many synonymous names are mentioned in the literature.

The small size and secretive lifestyle of springtails make it difficult to study them. The lack of accessible and complete identification literature on these groups of insects makes it almost impossible for non-professionals to identify springtails.

Fortunately, the biology of soil springtails is similar enough that precise identification is not required. It is enough to know that these are springtails and not to confuse them with other insects (thrips, rootworms) and mites. To develop adequate control measures, if necessary.

Water springtail, or water forktail (Podura aquatica). Michaelson J

Benefits and harms

It's time to present the arguments for and against springtails. There is something in us humans that makes us attack and kill even the most harmless creatures just because we don’t like their appearance, or accidentally crossed our path. All of the above also applies to springtails - these are completely harmless creatures.

However, there is a problem, and it needs to be solved, so first we will describe the negative side of this insect.

Harm

What forces us to fight collembola is not the threat of being bitten or the threat to our food supplies. No, this is ordinary disgust, which can lead some people to panic.

Of course, it’s unpleasant if you find a herd of springtails in your apartment. Instead of just collecting them and throwing them out into the street, we will begin to fight them.

Naturally, the most favorite places in our home for springtails are damp rooms: the corners of the kitchen under the sink, the corners under the plumbing fixtures in the bathroom. Particular accumulations are observed in areas of leakage. There, under constant drops of water, mold forms - the favorite food of fools.

The appearance of springtails in a sparkling clean bathroom is perceived by people as something terrible, and the hand itself reaches for a bottle of Dichlorvos or another similar product.

The second case of sabotage can be observed on indoor plants. Here, springtails can crawl along the soil in a pot, and especially impudent individuals can even try to gnaw on the leaves. Of course, here too it is necessary to take measures for destruction.

Benefit

Before we start fighting collembola, even in a separate article, we’ll tell you about the benefits these amazing creatures bring. Here we can observe two sides of the insect's usefulness.

Firstly, by eating tons of dead organic matter, springtails transform it into exactly that substance that all gardeners adore - humus. The feces of these insects are almost ready-made food for microorganisms, and the products of subsequent decay are already absorbed by our plants. Therefore, the more different small creatures in your garden bed, we mean not only springtails, the faster the dead organic matter will work to increase soil fertility.

The second benefit of springtails is their use as food for aquarium fish, reptiles or amphibians. Special websites for lovers of exotic fish even describe methods of breeding springtails, as they say, “for livestock feed.” They advise feeding them potato peelings.

How to deal with an invasion

Preventive measures

Moisture attracts springtails

When looking for damp places, springtails from the street can get into a damp room, which means this needs to be prevented. It is difficult to “live” such a tenacious insect, but not to create favorable conditions for it – perhaps the following measures will help with this:

• Ventilating the room will reduce air humidity.
• How to get rid of springtails in the bathroom and basement? First of all, install fans and clean with soap or soda solution.
• Eliminate possible sources of mold or mildew (leaking faucets, faulty old water and sewer pipes, cracked window frames or wooden window sills).
• Disinfection of the toilet room with chlorine-containing products.
• When watering indoor plants, do not exceed the watering norm and make sure that water does not stagnate in the flower trays, and that the lump of earth in the pot does not resemble liquid mud. If this happens, drain the excess water, place a sponge on the ground for a while, and then let the soil dry.

People against springtails

If preventive measures do not help prevent the appearance of insects, then the “enemy” will have to be destroyed. The safest are traditional methods, so you need to start with them.

A small population can be destroyed with improvised means

Wood ash is an excellent control method, but it is not suitable for all indoor plants. It is strictly forbidden to use on azaleas, hydrangeas, camellias (they grow on acidic soils). Instead of ash, the ground around them is sprinkled with mustard powder. Insecticidal plants. It is recommended to water the soil around the flowers with infusions of hot pepper or yarrow. A weak solution of potassium permanganate will help cope with insects. The following manipulations will help you get rid of springtails in your apartment: place a flower pot in which insects are found in a bucket of water. After a while they will float to the surface - you need to catch them with your hands and destroy them. A very simple and, according to reviews from Internet users, an effective way to combat insects: place the cut half of a potato on the ground in a flower pot, cut side down, leaving for several hours

Then, carefully remove the potato, destroy the gathered springtails and set the “trap” again. Wet potato slices are an excellent treat for pests. Another elementary way

Dissolve 2-3 tablets of Citramon or Askofen in two liters of water and pour the solution onto the ground around the flower. The plant is not harmed.

These drugs really work

Before using various chemicals, you need to remember that some can harm the plant itself, so be sure to read the instructions before use. But, in general, plants are not afraid of the effects of insecticidal preparations. The main thing to remember is that since these arthropods inhabit the earthen ball, the fight must be waged by cultivating the soil, not the plant.

Regent is popular in the fight against domestic insects

Insecticidal preparations for effective control of collembola:

• “Pochin” - a granular preparation is mixed with the top layer of soil in flower pots. At the same time, the soil must be dried. The drug has a rapid effect.
• "Regent" - in granules. The active ingredient fipronil remains in the ground for a long time, protecting the plant.
• “Bazudin” - the action of the drug granules, which are poured onto the soil surface, occurs very quickly. After a few hours, all pests are destroyed.
• “Dimilin” is a hormonal drug that has a stopping effect on the development of insects at any stage. This is an environmentally friendly product, which is indicated for use in premises where mushrooms are grown and from where springtails can be transferred into the apartment.
• "Aktara" - has effective properties. It is used both for watering the soil and for spraying plants. The protective effect against insects living in the ground lasts up to 60 days. Therefore, if treatment with this drug was carried out and after a while, the insects did not show themselves, the pest control can be considered over.

Have you found jumping springtails in your flower pots or bathtub? Carry out preventive measures (let the earthen clod dry, disinfect the bathroom) and annoying insects will most likely leave your apartment. If prevention is no longer effective, start a more radical fight!

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