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Growing vegetables, berries, and fruits with your own hands is not just the right attitude towards your own health, because as a result you can get a bountiful harvest from environmentally friendly fruits. For many, farming is also a kind of hobby, a pleasant and interesting vacation. The only thing that can sadden the owners of dachas and gardens is the appearance of pests, for example, the earthen fly, the fight against which causes a lot of trouble. There are different types of this insect that prefer to eat different crops. You will learn about what they are and how to effectively deal with them in this article.
What does a midge look like?
Black midge
Externally, midges look like miniature flies, reaching sizes of 6 mm. The most attractive places for midges to accumulate are swamps, silted banks of reservoirs and rivers, and reclamation canals.
Black midge
They cannot tolerate cold weather, so they are active during the warm season. Among all the diversity, there are species of midges whose larvae harm plants. The species that cause the greatest harm to humans are those that feed on blood. Often thick, swirling clouds of midges rise at sunset, preventing summer residents from doing their usual activities. Females attack warm-blooded animals, while males feed on flower nectar.
A type of midge, the bite of which can cause severe allergic reactions, is sometimes also called the earthen flea.
These representatives of the family of dipteran insects require flowing water for reproduction, since females, when laying eggs, glue them to objects immersed in water - leaves, stones. With wintering, the development cycle can last about 10 months.
Insect bites – School of Dr. Komarovsky
Why do midges appear?
Whatever the disease, it is important to fight not only it, but also the cause. The causes of midges in flowers can be:
- Excessively frequent watering.
- Using organic liquids (urine, dead tea leaves) as fertilizer.
- Purchasing low-quality soil from a non-specialized store or from the street, garden, etc.
- High humus content.
- A pot that is disproportionate to the size of the plant, the lower layers accumulate moisture, causing waterlogging.
- Open windows, without mesh. Insects can fly from neighbors.
Midges that lay larvae in the soil of indoor plants come in two types: white and black.
It is the larvae that cause more damage to the plant. White midges appear on flowers in warm rooms with high humidity. The whitefly is yellowish or white in color and is about one millimeter in size.
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Black midges are completely safe for indoor residents, but very dangerous for plants. The larvae make the soil dense and eat the root system. These parasites appear as a result of improper fertilization with organic matter, such as eggshell powder.
Bite and consequences
What causes trouble for a person is the bite of a small black midge, which demonstrates swiftness and bloodthirstiness. It bites, unlike a mosquito, not by piercing the skin, but by cutting it. This moment usually goes unnoticed, since a substance that has an analgesic effect enters the blood. At the same time, this enzyme delays the blood clotting process.
Allergic reaction to a black midge bite
The consequences of bites may also include some other symptoms, depending on the individual characteristics of the body:
Papule resulting from a midge bite
When attacked by many bloodsuckers, the adequacy of reactions and coordination of movements may be disrupted, which has a negative impact on productivity, which drops sharply.
Treating Bites
In most cases, a midge bite is not too dangerous for humans, but it does cause a lot of discomfort. Even in the absence of an allergic reaction, the bite site is very itchy and itchy.
This effect can be reduced using various means:
- A solution of water and regular baking soda in a ratio of 1 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate per glass of water. Has a calming effect.
- Ammonia. Before use, it must be diluted with water in equal parts.
- “Zvezdochka” balm, known since the times of the USSR. Has a cooling and distracting effect. Thanks to its composition, it can be used not only after a bite, but also to prevent it.
- Dairy products. An ancient folk method to reduce itching. Used chilled.
- Various pharmaceutical preparations, they are also used in cases of hypersensitivity to midge bites.
Midge bite in the eye
Consequences of a midge bite in the eye
The greatest suffering is caused by a bite to the eye. At first, a person feels that there is something like a speck under the eyelid, causing discomfort. Then lacrimation, slight itching, and redness appear.
After a few hours, the eye becomes swollen, unbearable itching begins, and pain appears. If you are prone to allergies, a midge bite in the eye leads to dizziness, shortness of breath, a feeling of heaviness and pain in the chest. Such manifestations must be properly treated, so you should not postpone visiting a doctor.
During the entire time until the swelling subsides, you should try not to rub your eyes so as not to cause additional foci of inflammation. Anti-inflammatory ointments are usually prescribed, as well as antihistamines to prevent the development of allergies.
Treatment of bites
Antiallergic agent (Diazolin)
Despite the fact that the bite of a black midge causes severe itching, you should not scratch the affected area.
After a moment of relief when scratching, the burning and itching intensifies even more, and the redness spreads further across the skin.
The most dangerous condition occurs if, after a bite anywhere, especially in the eye, the temperature rises and chills begin.
This may indicate an allergic reaction that requires immediate consultation with a doctor, since such a manifestation must be treated with effective means. It is advisable to immediately take an antiallergic drug.
A more severe manifestation of the bite is simulidotoxicosis - a toxic-allergic painful condition, which, along with an increase in temperature, is characterized by the following symptoms:
Gold Star (universal remedy for edema)
In such a situation, a doctor must treat the victim. To lubricate the skin from swelling around the affected eyes and other parts of the body, “Golden Star” is used in the form of an ointment. The drugs Elokom and Allergodil will help relieve itching. Suprastin and Tavegil reduce allergic manifestations caused by the bite of a bloodthirsty midge.
Prevention - remedies
For preventive purposes, you can stock up on a bottle of tea tree oil, which you should take with you when traveling to the country, ponds, or the forest. To protect yourself, just apply the product to all areas of the skin that remain open. The sharp smells emitted by the essential oils of clove, mint, and lavender can repel midges.
Tea tree oil
Taking vitamin B1 strengthens the body's resistance to dangerous midge attacks. If you decide to organize a vacation in nature or at your dacha, you should adhere to the following rules:
Fumigator (poisons mosquitoes with fumes)
On the open veranda, spirals are used, which, when smoldering, emit smoke that repels midges. For application to clothing and unprotected skin, there are quite effective pharmaceutical aerosols, ointments, emulsions, balms, gels - Raptor, OFF, Gardex Extreme, Mosquitall.
What does a ground fly look like and what harm does it cause?
Midges, midges, midges - whatever they call these small nasty insects. They sting animals and people painfully, and it is very difficult to kill them due to their small size.
The ground fly is a prominent representative of blood-sucking insects that cause concern to warm-blooded animals.
They belong to the order Diptera, family Simuliidae. They carry infectious agents, some of which are very dangerous - anthrax, tularemia, etc. How to deal with the earthen midge?
Features of an adult
More than 300 species of midges of the family Simuliidae are known on the territory of Russia. Insects love bodies of water with flowing or stagnant water - swamps, river valleys, reclamation canals. The highest number of flies is observed in the taiga zone, in Siberia. In smaller quantities - in the European part of the Russian Federation.
Insects cannot tolerate cold weather and are active in warm weather. Sometimes clouds of midges rise at sunset, preventing villagers from doing their usual things.
Appearance
Externally, midges resemble ordinary flies in miniature. The size of an adult is 2-5 mm. The insect's body consists of a head, thorax and abdomen. It is complemented by transparent wings and strong legs. The head contains segmented antennae and mouthparts. The fly's chest is convex, its wide abdomen ends in genitals.
Life cycle and reproduction
Ground flies develop with complete transformation. Females lay eggs on river banks, gluing them to leaves and stones immersed in water. In a pond, the eggs hatch into larvae. They live only in humid environments, often in running water, at a depth of 1-2 m.
Ground fly larvae look like worms. The posterior end is swollen. Ready to be sharply separated from the chest. On the frontal zone there are pigment spots, the shape and location of which depend on the type of insect. There are eyes on the sides of the head. The antennae are four-six-membered.
Oxygen penetrates the larva's body directly through the skin. The higher the fluidity of the water, the more oxygen is dissolved in it, and the better the conditions for the development of the insect. The larva goes through 3-6 stages of development, finally turning into a pupa.
An air bubble accumulates under the cocoon, inside which the adult rises to the surface of the water. In a favorable environment, at the end of May and until the end of summer, whole clouds of midges appear. During one summer season, from 1 to 3 generations of ground flies are born. The insect survives winter in the larval or sometimes egg stage.
Although some species of midges bite during the day, the main phase of groundfly activity occurs in the morning and evening. The insect can migrate long distances. In Siberia, midges have been observed moving at distances of up to 150 km from the hatching site.
In the Soviet years, methods of how to get rid of midges took into account the life cycle of the insect. The banks of swamps and reservoirs were dug up to destroy the larvae. Later, this method of struggle was found to be ineffective.
Nutrition
The earth fly larva is characterized by a passive feeding method. Extending from the front of the head below the antennae are large fan-shaped jaws consisting of a short rod with curved bristles. Fan-shaped appendages are found only in midge larvae.
Water passes freely through the spaced fan jaws, and various particles settle and are swallowed.
Adult earth flies are considered the most malicious bloodsuckers that attack humans. But only females bite warm-blooded animals. The food of males is plant juices and flower nectar.
What harm does the ground fly cause?
Among the large number of species of midges, there are flies whose larvae harm plants.
Depending on the type of crop, varieties are distinguished:
The method of getting rid of earth flies depends on the type of insect. The chemical for cabbage fly is Fosbecid solution. Intavir and Fitoverm help with carrots. Bazulin is recommended against onion flies.
Small pests can be seen even on flowers at home. At the same time, the flies themselves are not dangerous, but the larvae can damage the entire root system. Flower growers have come up with many ways to get rid of ground flies in flowers. Sprinkle the ground with ash and spray the plant with potassium permanganate. In case of severe infection, the flower is transplanted into disinfected soil.
For humans and animals, the most harmful species are those that feed on blood. The saliva of the earth fly is poisonous. Toxic substances can cause fever and general malaise in humans. Massive attacks on animals lead to the death of young animals.
By biting many animals, earth flies can become a source of infections. In addition, the annoyingness of insects brings an unpleasant impression. They crawl over the body, causing itching and clogging of the nose, ears, and clothes.
Earthfly bite
Unlike mosquitoes, the midge does not pierce the skin, but cuts it. The fly's saliva numbs the operation, so the bite itself often goes unnoticed. Substances entering the wound prevent blood clotting. As the analgesic effect decreases, the bite site swells and becomes painful. The photo below shows a midge bite.
When there is a massive attack of midges, a person experiences symptoms similar to poisoning:
The affected area swells and itches. Wounds appear in places where scratching occurs. Rashes and allergic reactions may occur. The most dangerous bites from earth flies are to the eye. Treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a physician in a medical facility. The consequences of bites depend on the individual characteristics of the person.
Treatment of bites
The affected area is very itchy. But you can’t scratch the wound. The short-lived relief of itching intensifies and covers an even larger surface. In order to reduce the desire to itch, the wound should be treated. The use of Golden Star balm, Elokom and Allergodil creams is effective. Allergic reactions are relieved by antihistamines - Fenistil gel, Suprastin, Claritin, Tavegil.
You can relieve swelling around the wound by applying ice or alcohol lotions. The hormonal drugs Triderm, Sinaflan, and Hydrocortisone have an anti-edematous effect. By scratching the affected area, you can introduce pathogenic microorganisms into the wound, which will interfere with healing. Therefore, the affected area must be treated with antibacterial drugs.
If you have an elevated temperature or fever, you should consult a doctor. In especially severe cases, treatment should be carried out in a hospital.
Folk remedies for midges
The affected eye can be washed with green tea or parsley juice. Applying ice or a napkin soaked in cold water is effective.
Conclusion
Midge bites often become a problem not only because of the complex symptoms, but also the length of time it takes to eliminate them.
The victims become uneasy for 2-3 weeks. An integrated approach to treatment allows you to eliminate unpleasant consequences.
Source
Application of insecticides
We suggest you familiarize yourself with effective special remedies for small flies in home seedlings, which it is advisable to use as a last resort:
- Mashenka's chalk is crushed and powdered on the ground.
- Fly-eater and Grom-2 powders will quickly destroy pests if you sprinkle granules on the soil and water it.
- Insecticides are used strictly according to the instructions supplied with them. After use, be sure to ventilate the room. The most popular of them are Inta-vir, Bazudin, Fitoverm.
- Universal means that will destroy flying flies and larvae are familiar aerosols: Dichlorvos, Reid and others. They spray the ground above and the air around.
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Before sowing seeds for seedlings, be sure to disinfect the soil so that there are no pests left in it. In the future, for preventive purposes, you need to water the plants moderately, regularly loosen the soil and properly fertilize the soil. Also try not to thicken the plantings. This is very important not only because of the threat of midges appearing in seedlings. Adequate light and nutrition is the key to the development of good and strong plants, on which the final harvest directly depends.
Quickly get rid of midges in the country
A common problem for many summer residents is that in the summer season, small annoying insects appear on their summer cottage: midges, or as they are also called midges. They bite painfully, sit on food and are simply annoying with their presence. Summer is the time for fruits and active recreation; you don’t want insects to spoil your mood.
In summer, midges constantly flock to summer cottages
Varieties of midges
There are different types of midges; there are about four thousand species. They multiply at a tremendous speed, which makes it difficult to combat them. Each type is unpleasant in its own way. Some devour the fruits in your garden, while others bite and drink your blood.
The common name for the blood-sucking midge is midge. These insects are especially annoying. They get into your nose, ears, and mouth, and it’s difficult to get rid of such plaque. In appearance, they resemble ordinary flies, only smaller and fly faster. The midge prefers to live and reproduce near bodies of water, so if your dacha plot is located near water, be prepared for the appearance of an annoying buzzing infection at your dacha. Only females bite humans and animals; male midges feed on flower nectar and do not pester people.
The bite of such an insect is easy to distinguish from a mosquito bite. The midge bites the top layer of skin and produces saliva, which contains an anesthetic enzyme. The insect licks off the blood that comes out of the wound. After some time, the analgesic effect of the injected saliva ends, and the bite site begins to ache unpleasantly, turn red and swell. Allergic reactions are rarely caused by such bites; inflammation is a protective reaction of the body. Swelling from the bite of this pest lasts up to 5 days, all this time it hurts, itches and spoils the appearance, especially on the face. Under no circumstances should you scratch the bite site.
The fruit fly Drosophila is a favorite subject of study for biologists. It also lives in damp places near rivers, lakes and small ponds. Drosophila feed on plant sap and rotting remains of plant food. They are not so annoying, but they are unpleasant because they spoil the fruits growing in the garden.
The mosquito bite turns red and swells
Fighting blood-sucking midges in the country
Fighting midges can sometimes be difficult if there is a body of water near the site. You can protect yourself from bites.
The first remedy is clothing. At the dacha, it is better not to show off in mini-shorts and T-shirts, but to give preference to light long trousers and a blouse with long sleeves, preferably made of linen. Linen material is dense, but not hot and comfortable. Sweet aromas of perfume or shower gel will attract midges, so it is better to avoid them and use unscented hygiene products. To prevent midges from flying into your country house, nail mosquito nets to all windows and make a screen door at the entrance.
You need to understand the nuances and habits of midges. They do not fly in the evening and at dusk, only in the morning and during the day. Activity increases greatly before rain.
Folk remedies in the fight against midges
Folk remedies will help get rid of midge bites:
Store-bought mosquito repellents cannot control midges. But there are also professional remedies (sprays, creams and fumigators) against these insects. They are sold in tourist shops or pharmacies. Midges are active at the beginning of summer, by the end of July their activity decreases, and in August it is difficult to find them. Therefore, before you go to the dacha in June, stock up on funds that will help you fight the enemy.
Juniper twigs emit smoke during combustion, which repels insects
Treatment of a midge bite
Excellent folk remedies that will help reduce unpleasant symptoms after a midge bite:
If you develop a fever after being bitten, seek medical attention immediately.
Fermented milk products will relieve irritation from a midge bite
Fighting fruit midges in the country
Fruit midges feed on the juice of vegetables, fruits, and leaves; their larvae develop on decomposing waste. Most of the midges are found in tall, uncut grass. To get rid of fruit flies, you need to deprive them of their food sources and mow down all the grass; rotten fruits go unnoticed in the tall grass. Throw away and remove vegetable waste from your home in a timely manner.
If there is a compost pit at your summer cottage, there is a high probability that midges will appear. There will be too many of them, and in this case it will not be possible to get rid of them. It is better to look for another way to dispose of plant waste or tolerate fruit flies.
Folk remedies will come to the rescue here too. To get rid of fruit midges, use traps:
These folk remedies are very simple and reliable, and most importantly they will not harm your health in any way.
A midge trap is made from an ordinary jar and spoiled fruit
Chemical preparations for midges in the country
It is very difficult to get rid of midges because they are tenacious and multiply quickly. If folk remedies do not help to overcome midges, try store-bought chemicals.
They exist in different forms, the most common being solutions containing the substance cypermethrin, fumigators and ultraviolet repellers:
Cypermethrin concentrate can be diluted with water before use.
Ground onion fly - control methods
The onion fly annoys gardeners no less than the carrot fly, but it looks ash-gray and is about 1 cm in size. It begins to fly in May and actively lays its larvae under the upper scales of the vegetable, on the ground next to the plants, between the leaves. The larvae gnaw their way inside and literally eat the inside of the bulb, turning into new large and adult flies.
How to identify onion fly?
Pay close attention to how the plants develop. If you notice the following signs, it means that your vegetables are being eaten by a ground fly - the fight must be urgent:
- seedlings develop more slowly;
- the leaves acquire a yellow-gray tint;
- leaves dry out and wither;
- the bulbs are soft, rotting, and give off a foul odor.
Onion ground fly - control, preparations
In the case when you prefer to get rid of pests with modern chemicals, a product called “Bazudin” is suitable for you. It is used in the last 10 days of May.
Mode of application:
- Mix 30g of granules with sawdust in an amount of 0.5l.
- Add some sand.
- Distribute this mixture over an area of 20 m2.
Folk measures to combat onion fly
No less effective, but at the same time gentle for your garden, ways to combat this type of ground fly are as follows:
- Follow the rules of crop rotation - alternating planting crops from year to year.
- Plant onions and carrots next to each other - there will be a double benefit, since a fly that loves carrots does not tolerate the onion aroma, and vice versa.
- Water the onions with a saline solution prepared in a ratio of 200g/10l. Perform this procedure when the feathers grow 8 cm long.
- Dust the plants during the summer of the pest with a mixture of wood ash (200g), ground pepper (1 tsp), tobacco dust (1 tsp).
- Destroy the larvae with a tobacco solution, spraying it on the soil and the plants themselves. To prepare you will need 200g of tobacco dust or shag and 3 liters of hot water. After this mixture has steeped for 3 days, add another 1 tbsp. liquid soap and 1 tsp. ground pepper (black, red).
Prevention to prevent midges from getting in
Fighting will not be necessary if you prevent the appearance of midges. To prevent midges from appearing in your dacha, you need to keep order. This is the most important thing, deprive the midges of their food sources:
To prevent midge bites, use all of the folk remedies listed above and choose the right clothes for the garden. Proper control of such insects will certainly bring good results.
Let these tips help you get rid of midges, and you will have pleasant memories of your holiday in the country. Insects should not interfere with enjoying warmth and nature.
Source
How to fight these insects with folk remedies?
If you have black flies or other types of insects, getting rid of them is quite simple. To do this, you can even use improvised means that can be found in any home.
Potassium permanganate solution
The most popular methods of combating such annoying pests are:
- potassium permanganate solution. Dissolve a small amount of it in water to obtain a slightly pink liquid. Water your indoor flower with it 1-3 times every few days to get rid of pests;
Velcro against flies when fighting midges and other insects - orange peel. Place a few pieces of zest on the surface of the soil. Its smell is very unpleasant for insects. You can also grind the zest into powder, add it to the soil and replant a houseplant in this mixture, which will protect you from small pests;
- matches. Take 3-5 pieces and stick them into the ground with the head down, then water the flowerpot. When the sulfur completely disappears, you can repeat the procedure to accurately remove all pests;
- garlic. To get rid of this scourge, place several cloves on the surface of the soil, which must first be cut in half. Also, to quickly remove pests, it is recommended to prepare a garlic infusion. To do this, pour a liter of boiling water over the peeled and chopped head of garlic. This product is infused for 4 hours, after which the flower is watered and sprayed;
- laundry soap. Make a soap solution to rub the stems and leaves of house plants. To do this, combine 50 g of laundry soap and 200 ml of warm water;
- wood ash. To get rid of this scourge, simply sprinkle it on the surface of the soil. Also loosen the soil a little so that the ash particles get deeper;
- Velcro for flies. If there are small pests, hang it near the pot. When a lot of insects collect on the Velcro, throw it away and attach another one;
- dill. To remove small pests, you need to place several fragrant twigs on the surface of the soil.
Types of midges
Midge is a collective name for many thousands of species of insects that look somewhat similar to ordinary flies, but are smaller in size.
Most of them are representatives of the order Diptera, but the damage they cause, their habitat, and their lifestyle patterns can differ significantly.
Typically, the term “midge” includes several types of pests:
Whiteflies in flower pots
However, white midges also often appear in flower pots. Typically, these insects belong to the family of small Homoptera (lat. Homoptera) and are called greenhouse whiteflies.
In total there are about 1550 species, some of them are quarantine species.
Whiteflies are 2 mm long insects with two pairs of white wings. In addition to potted flowers, they also often attack plants grown in greenhouse conditions.
Whitefly larvae live on the undersides of leaves, sucking the juice from them. As a result, the leaves turn yellow, which causes chlorosis and subsequent leaf drop.
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Control measures
Fighting midges is a whole complex of measures. It includes the use of various natural and synthetic agents to kill and repel, methods of pain relief for received bites, as well as preventive actions to eliminate the causes of these unpleasant insects.
Repellent
Since bloodsuckers are a nuisance mainly in the open air, it is rather pointless to fight them by destroying them. New ones will immediately fly in to replace the dead specimens, since insects are the most numerous living creatures on the planet. It is simply impossible to destroy all swarms of midges in the area of your site - in such a situation, repelling seems to be the most appropriate.
To do this, different means and methods are used:
Vanilla and vanilla
The strong-smelling substance not only masks the odor of the human body - it is strongly distasteful to the blood-sucking vile.
In order to obtain a homemade preparation, vanilla pods are infused with vodka or alcohol, and then rubbed with the resulting composition on bare skin or sprayed from a spray bottle. True, natural vanilla is too expensive - crystalline vanillin is used much more often. It dissolves well in water, costs a penny and is suitable for everyone.
Essential oils and extracts
Since all these substances are strongly odorous, they help repel pesky bloodsuckers. It is worth applying oily products at those points where they will give the maximum effect: behind the ears, in the neck area, on the wrists and elbows, under the knees and around the ankles. Coniferous extracts, eucalyptus oils, cloves, and anise are best suited.
Branches and leaves of plants
Many crops are natural midge repellents. For example, from the steppe herbs wormwood or wheatgrass, you should take the roots and boil them, and lubricate the exposed areas of the body with the resulting decoction. Scented tomato shoots or elderberry branches will help drive insects out of the room, but also minimize their irritating effect outdoors.
Valerian solution in alcohol
A well-known sedative can be successfully used against midges when sprayed over the surface of the body.
Electrical and heating devices
Technological progress has not remained aloof from the fight against flying parasites.
Compact and convenient electrical appliances come to the aid of summer residents. This device is based on a luminous tube that emits rays in ultraviolet light, which attracts insects. The housing in which the lamp is located is covered with a special mesh to which electric current is supplied.
When insects fall on the mesh, they are literally charred, although the voltage and current parameters are absolutely safe for humans and pets.
Another direction is fumigators - heating devices that bring a special liquid to a temperature where it begins to emit vapors that kill or drive away annoying insects.
If electricity is not at hand, special spirals are used, which, while smoldering, saturate the air around with volatile compounds. The most famous brands in the market are Mosquitall, Raid, Raptor, Fumitox, Vape and others.
Chemical substances
On sale you can find a variety of products that are intended for treating premises, local areas, and garden plots, helping to destroy midges, their larvae and eggs, and also prevent them from reproducing.
Most often, these ready-made formulations are based on certain active ingredients:
Prevention
Cruciferous flea beetles overwinter:
- on plant residues;
- on fallen leaves;
- in the top layer of soil;
- in the cracks of greenhouses and greenhouses.
To prevent the appearance of these pests, you should:
- After harvesting, dispose of plant residues in compost. If they have been damaged by diseases and/or pests, then such fruit-bearing crops are burned or disposed of in other ways.
- With the onset of autumn frosts, the soil is dug up. Then the pupated larvae of cruciferous flea beetles will appear on the surface, and at negative temperatures they will die.
If these pests were noticed in greenhouses or greenhouses last season, it is necessary to wash these structures with soda, laundry soap or a vinegar solution.- After planting seedlings of cabbage or other cruciferous crops, you need to cover them with non-woven material. Then pests will not be able to get here from other areas.
- Crop rotation must be observed. If a cruciferous crop grew in this area last season, then the flea beetle can overwinter in the soil and, emerging from there in the spring, begin to harm the seedlings.
- It is important to weed out weeds (especially the cruciferous family) in a timely manner so that flea beetles do not move from them to cultivated plants.
- Since flea beetles are especially active in hot, dry weather, you need to water the beds on time to keep the soil moist.
The famous summer resident Oktyabrina Ganichkina advises, after sowing turnips, rutabaga, and other cruciferous crops, to sprinkle dry mustard, ash or ground black pepper on the beds. Then the cruciferous flea beetles will leave this area. If you are planting cabbage seedlings, spray them with a solution of liquid soap and then sprinkle with sifted ash. This way it will better stick to the cabbage leaves and protect them from pests.
You can also use tobacco powder.
When you work with ash, pepper, or tobacco, do not forget to wear a protective mask, as these products can irritate the nasopharynx.
The famous gardener and garden designer Olga Voronova advises thinking about mixed plantings. An experienced summer resident says that cruciferous flea beetles do not like the smell of marigolds, calendula, and nasturtium, so you need to plant these flowers near the cabbage seedlings.
This pest also cannot tolerate the aroma of dill, cumin, onions, coriander, garlic, tomato tops and potatoes. Therefore, place some of these plants near the planting of cruciferous crops.
If dangerous bugs do settle in the plantings, then it is necessary to take control measures. If the degree of damage to plants is small, it is better to use traditional methods; if the scale of the harmful activity is global, then chemical methods may be required.