Aphids on cucumbers: how to fight - folk remedies and chemicals to help gardeners

Hello! It just so happened that I bring my brother about a dozen cans of pickled cucumbers every fall.

But this season, his brother had a very high chance of being left without crunchy sweets. On my cucumbers the aphid was in full swing, which jeopardized the entire crop.

It’s good that I remember my grandmother’s recommendations for combating these parasites. Thanks to this, it was possible to quickly get rid of adversity. Want to learn how to deal with aphids on cucumbers using folk remedies? Then now I will describe everything to you in great detail.

Aphids on cucumbers from the bottom of leaves - how to fight

It is possible to lose most of the cucumber crop not only because of numerous diseases affecting this crop, but also because of the appearance of such a small, but very gluttonous insect, like cotton (or melon) aphids.

Before starting the fight against insects, you must thoroughly arm yourself with knowledge about what aphids feed on and how to breed, how to detect it, and what harm it can cause to your cucumber plantings.

Life cycle

Drooping, fading leaves and fallen flowers are the first symptoms of a cotton aphid settlement. Insects first prefer to settle on the underside of the leaves, then spread very quickly to the stems, flowers and ovaries, so every time you care for cucumbers, it is important to carefully examine the plants.

Small insects reach a length of not more than 2 mm. The color of gourds aphids varies from yellow, green to dark green, almost black. Large accumulations of small insects can be seen with the naked eye.

Aphids fly to neighboring plants, gradually getting to the gourd. Therefore, one of the indirect agrotechnical methods of controlling aphids includes regular weeding of beds. Since the process of pest migration begins in the midst of seedling planting, and young cucumbers with two or three real leaves can die under the oppression of this insect, it is better to worry about protecting cucumbers in advance.

What harm does the gourd aphid do to cucumbers?

Seedling death. If measures are not taken at the first detection of aphids on young plants, cucumber seedlings die in 50% of cases.

Falling ovaries and buds. The surviving attack of aphid seedlings develops slowly, and the ovaries and flowers eaten by insects soon fall off.

The appearance of ants on cucumbers. Melon aphids participate in symbiosis with ants. Ant colonies feed on the sweet pad, which aphids secrete in the process of life. Such a close proximity of insects is dangerous for two reasons: ants actively transfer aphids to other plants and gnaw fruit.

Aphids breed very quickly: up to 10 thousand individuals from one adult female per month. Reproduction is promoted by high humidity and warm weather. Thus, in greenhouses and greenhouses for living this insect created the most favorable conditions. It is difficult to imagine the size of the aphid army that has invaded the entire territory of the greenhouse if its owner does not start the fight against the pest in time.

Greenhouse Prevention

Proper care of cucumbers in the greenhouse significantly reduces the risk of aphids. Among preventive measures, the most effective are:

• Before planting seedlings, the greenhouse should be treated with a solution of bleach, copper sulfate or caustic soda.
• To repel aphids and other pests, a sulfur checker is also used.
• Thickened plantings of cucumbers and the lack of natural ventilation of plants increase the risk of aphid damage. Leave up to 70 cm of free space between the plants, and also provide the cucumbers with a constant flow of fresh air.
• Weakened plants do not find the strength to withstand insect attacks, so it is equally important to observe the regime of watering and top dressing.
• In the aisles of cucumbers it will not be superfluous to plant dill or leaf mustard. These crops repel pests with their specific rich odor and attract predatory insects (for example, a ladybug - a natural aphid enemy in nature).
• In order to timely respond to the appearance of aphids in the greenhouse, it is important to conduct a regular weekly inspection of seedlings and adult plants for pests.

If during the next inspection of the greenhouse plantings you find accumulations of aphids on cucumbers, it is urgent to take measures to destroy insects.

Folk remedies

The agricultural market offers a huge variety of chemical aphids. However, the toxic substances of the preparations have an unpleasant property to accumulate in the fruits, remain in the soil for a long time and limit the time of harvesting. In this regard, to obtain an environmentally friendly crop, many vegetable growers try to use folk remedies for aphids.

Celandine. The collected celandine is dried and crushed, filled with water at the rate of 200-300 g of grass per 10 liters. The composition, infused during the day, is filtered. Plants are abundantly sprayed with a spray gun, trying not to miss a single leaf.

Garlic. The infusion for spraying cucumbers based on garlic cloves, arrows or tops is prepared within 5 days. It will take 500 g of crushed parts of the plant and 3 l of water. This method is also effective against other pests.

Ash and Laundry Soap. To prepare the solution, you will need wood ash (50g), grated laundry soap (70g) and 10 liters of water. In addition to the plants themselves, the solution processes the walls, garter of cucumbers, racks and crossbars of the greenhouse.

Dandelion. Leaves and roots of dandelion in equal parts (1 kg) pour 8 liters of water and insist for at least three hours. Spray cucumbers with infusion over the entire surface of the leaves on both sides.

If, using folk methods of fighting aphids, you have failed, you can process cucumber plantings with such chemicals as:

Spraying cucumbers with infusions of herbs will be more effective if you add a tablespoon of liquid soap or dishwashing detergent to the finished composition.

Outdoor Tools

In open ground conditions, more concentrated formulations are used to control aphids.

Onion peel. Pour half a bucket of husk with boiling water (7 l) and insist for 24 hours. Before spraying, a bucket of water is added to the strained infusion.

Hot pepper. For the treatment of plants affected by aphids, crushed red hot pepper in an amount of 50 g is used. Pour pepper with a liter of boiling water and leave for 2 hours. Strain the finished composition through gauze or nylon, add 10 liters of water.

When processing leaves of cucumbers, remember that the aphid's favorite place is the underside of the leaf. Spray the plants with any proposed composition until the insects completely disappear with an interval of 7 days. The optimal consumption of spraying compounds for cucumbers in the open field is 1 liter per 10 sq.m.

Therefore, gardeners often use specialized insecticides. To minimize the harm of treatments, biological agents are used instead of chemical products: Strela, Fitoverm.

The experience of vegetable growers

Aphid attacked cucumber beds, and you are looking for the most effective method of counteraction? We bring to your attention proven ways to destroy pests using folk and innovative means:

Nikolay: “Against black aphids on cucumbers, I use the tops of bitter wormwood. I believe that herbal infusions are the best option for processing fruit-bearing plants. I heard that in addition to wormwood, you can use cloves of garlic or tomato tops, but I do not think that this is the best application for such products.

Valentine: “A method proven by personal experience - to get rid of a pest and to feed cucumbers!

Pour a liter of water into the sprayer (requires a sprayer with a press). Then, in a separate container in 100 ml of milk, we inject a half cubic iodine with a syringe, mix well. Pour iodine with milk into the tank of the sprayer and shake the mixture with a press.

This method helps to destroy aphids completely on cucumbers and roses. If the first attempt failed, after 10 days repeat the treatment with this compound. I guarantee a 100% result! ”

Alexey: “Poisoning aphids with chemical poisons is the last thing. Cucumbers are harvested daily, so it’s better to use safer methods.

I can recommend three options:

1. Vinegar, yes it is vinegar and you should not be afraid that it will burn the leaves of cucumbers. A solution of vinegar to get rid of aphids will be very weak. In a bucket of water - 1 tablespoon (9%).
2. Coca-Cola is expensive, but effective. Change the bottle cap on the spray bottle and spray the plantings. Why does it help? The drink contains phosphoric acid.
3. Soda (70g) and any essential oil (15 drops) - mix, pour into water (2l). Shake well and spray the cucumbers every other day. Already on the third day there will be no aphids!

I used all the methods personally, so I guarantee that it will help you too. An ash solution once helped the greenhouse, but after the experiments it became clear to me that it was most convenient to use vinegar - quickly and efficiently. ”

Measures and methods of controlling aphids on cucumbers

Often gardeners are faced with this problem: suddenly the leaves of the cucumbers begin to curl and turn yellow, and then completely fall off, and the plant sharply slows down its growth. Expanding the affected leaf, on its inner side, whole colonies of small insects are found - almost transparent or light and dark green, which even appear black.

The main aphid carriers are ordinary garden ants, which feed on its “milk” - a specific vital product of these small pests.

Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to get rid of ant colonies not only in cucumber beds, but also preferably throughout the site. You can use special ant-crayons or any other chemical or folk remedies against ants.

Throughout the season, you need to timely weed the garden with cucumbers, destroy weeds, and prevent excessive planting density - cucumbers should grow quite freely.

If, despite all the preventive measures being taken, the aphid has settled on cucumber leaves, treat the garden with the following infusions:

In the same way, you can make infusions from any bitter plants: wormwood, potato and tomato tops, hot pepper. It is necessary to spray the leaves of cucumbers several times during the season: after one application, the aphids will become smaller, but finally it will not disappear, and if you stop further processing, the colonies of these pests will grow again.

How to deal with aphids on cucumbers in greenhouses? First of all, the affected plant is best removed. Check if there are ant paths in the greenhouse and take measures to destroy them. Rinse the glass in the greenhouse with a solution of copper sulfate.

In autumn, it is imperative to remove the topsoil and replace it with fresh soil. Whiten the inner wooden parts of the greenhouse. Light a sulfur checker - it will scare away not only rodents, but also pests such as aphids.

Regular preventive measures, the extermination of ants, spraying cucumbers with bitter infusions, and in severe cases, the use of chemicals will allow you to successfully rid your beds of aphids.

How to get rid of parasites on cucumbers

Aphids are small insects that inhabit large colonies on plant leaves. Cucumbers for her are a favorite treat. Most often, she attacks cucumbers in July. At this time, you need to be especially careful when conducting an inspection of cucumber plantings.

What kind of plant it affects

Cucumbers are damaged by gourds (cotton) aphids. Its size does not exceed 2 mm, and the color of the body can be different: yellow, light green and dark green, almost black.

During the summer, one female breeds more than 10 times, and in one clutch about 50 eggs. Females come with wings and wingless. Flightless females are transferred to plants by ants, and winged ones fly over themselves.

If many ants appeared on the cucumber plantings, you need to pay attention to this. Ants love the pad (sticky sap) that aphids secrete; they feed on them. Ants look after aphids, protect it from predator insects. In winter, they hide from the cold in anthills, and in the spring, when it gets warmer, they are transferred to young plants.

Part of the aphids hibernate on the lower leaves of weeds.It is selected from shelters in the spring, at a day temperature above 5 ° C. First, the aphids suck out the juice from weedy herbaceous plants, and when they coarse, they move to the young parts of the cucumbers.

Aphids first settle on the underside of leaves in large colonies. Insects feed on the juice of the leaves, which is why the leaf begins to curl and dry out. Part of the pests moves to young shoots and petioles of ovaries. The stems begin to dry, and the ovaries fall.

Signs of the appearance of aphids

The earlier aphids are found, the easier it is to fight it. Inspection of cucumber plantings should be carried out daily.

Signs of the appearance of aphids:

1. formed anthills near the beds;
2. ants scurrying along the stems of cucumbers;
3. sticky drops on the leaves and stem;
4. falling of flowers and ovaries;
5. on the underside of the leaf are small sucking insects, which are noticeable even when there are a few more;
6. young leaves can lose turgor, curl, droop down;
7. old lower leaves with aphid can fade without changing shape.

How to process cucumbers

The choice of drug for controlling aphids on cucumbers depends on how large the colony of these pests is. If its appearance is noticed at the very beginning, it is enough to wash it off with a sponge moistened with soapy water, or cut off the damaged leaves.

Aphids are divided into two categories:

Both those and others have their pros and cons.

Biological - these are slow-acting drugs. They enter the body of the insect immediately, but complete destruction occurs after a few days. Some individuals can survive, so the treatment will have to be repeated repeatedly after 7-10 days.

Chemical insecticides act instantly. They should be used with extensive damage to cucumber plantations, and then, when it becomes clear that without a fight the whole crop will die.

When deciding on this method of struggle, you should know that cucumbers can not be eaten for 15-30 days after treatment. Fruits grow quickly, and during this time part of them will outgrow, and will be unfit for food.

Fighting Ants

Ants are carriers of aphids. When destroying aphids, one should drive ants out of the beds and destroy the anthills nearby.

A tool that repels ants, you can cook yourself. This will require:

• boric acid - 10 grams;
• sugar - 0.5 cups;
• water - 0.5 cups.

Everything is thoroughly mixed. The resulting sticky mass is smeared on strips of cardboard and laid out around the anthill. The anthill can be shed with boiling water, but you will have to do this several times.

You can drive ants away from cucumber plantings if you constantly loosen the soil, especially in those places where they laid trails. These insects do not like when they interfere with their activities and move to another place.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies in the fight against aphids are no less effective than chemicals. The main condition for their use is regularity. If aphid is found, treatment must be carried out immediately and repeated once a week. Thus, it is possible to preserve the entire crop without chemistry.

Ash and laundry soap: add a glass of wood ash and ¼ bar of grated laundry soap to 5 liters of water. The solution should be infused for a day, after which it is thoroughly mixed, shaken and applied with a sponge to leaves damaged by aphids. The same means can spill the earth around the bushes, which will scare away the ants.

Table vinegar 9%: 2 liters of water will require 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Spray the leaves from the spray gun.

Iodine and milk: 10 drops of iodine are added to 0.5 cups of milk and mixed thoroughly. This mixture is poured into 1 liter of water. Spraying is carried out in the evening, or in the afternoon in cloudy weather.

Baking soda: 3 tablespoons with a small slide are added to a bucket of warm water and thoroughly dissolved. This solution irrigate the entire plant. Its additional effect is prevention from powdery mildew.

How to fight in a greenhouse

In the greenhouse, the same aphid control methods are used as in the open ground. When working with chemicals, you should be very careful, since their use indoors is dangerous for humans. During treatment, respiratory protection is required. After spraying, all doors and windows must be closed.

In autumn, remove all plant debris from the greenhouse and dig the soil. If this year the cucumbers were damaged by pests, then the top layer of the soil should be removed and replaced. If this is not possible, then the earth should be treated with any chemical aphid insecticide.

In the fall, when the air temperature drops to 10 ° and lower, you can process the greenhouse with the help of a sulfur block. Not only the pest larvae are destroyed, but also the causative agents of some fungal diseases.

Prevention

Preventive measures in the fight against aphids include:

Stumps, boards, building materials and plant debris should be removed from the site. Aphids winter on weeds and in anthills. Having got rid of its wintering places, it is possible to exclude a massive invasion of aphids the next year.

We eliminate aphids by folk remedies

What does aphid look like? Here is a photo of aphids: small white dots on a cucumber leaf, these are pests.

For all the summer residents who were tortured by aphids in greenhouses and gardens, there is good news! You can get rid of aphids on cucumbers and tomatoes relatively quickly and easily. In addition, we will fight with aphids by folk remedies, which means that it will be possible to spray our plants at any time, even during the ripening of the fruits.

The Internet describes many ways to combat these parasites. Many of them are quite effective, but some pose a danger to the plants themselves. Trying to destroy aphids, I once burned tomatoes with red pepper infusion, although I did everything strictly according to the recipe.

And all this must be done several times, because not a single folk remedy can save you from aphids in one treatment.

Not every gardener will have the patience even for one such procedure, and if you imagine that there are 3 to 4 such treatments ahead, then whoever you want will drop their hands.

The easiest way

Fortunately, I came across one very simple recipe for a folk remedy for killing aphids. I would like to share this recipe with readers of the "Summer cottage". To prepare such a solution is extremely simple and quick, literally in one minute.

To prepare it, you will need to buy a bottle of 70% food vinegar and a bottle of Ferry (dishwashing detergent). Vinegar is added to the water at the rate of 1 teaspoon of vinegar per 1 liter of water.

It turns out that 10 teaspoons are required per bucket of water. I add ferry to the eye, about 3 - 4 tablespoons per bucket. You can of course also make laundry soap, but with Ferry it’s easier - you poured everything into the water, but the result is the same.

These pests are located exclusively on the underside of the leaves, and so that the solution gets on them, it must be sprayed from the bottom up. Therefore, the spray nozzle on the sprayer should be flexible and easy to go up and down, such as in the photo.

Of course, it’s easier to spray cucumbers that grow on a trellis, with cucumbers spreading on the ground it will be somewhat more difficult, but also quite feasible. Each leaf will have to be sprayed, because under each leaf a whole colony of these nasty insects can be concentrated.

If there are a lot of aphids on tomatoes or cucumbers, you will have to carry out several treatments in a row after 2 to 3 days. Later, you can spray the plants as needed. We need this in about 3 weeks.

I have been using this method of fighting aphids for the second year now, and therefore I safely recommend it to anyone who can not yet deal with these pests.

I myself have tried many ways, but only with the help of vinegar I was able to get rid of aphids in greenhouses and on tomatoes and cucumbers. I did not try to process the trees in this way, but I'm going to.

How to deal with aphids on cucumbers

Aphids attack cucumbers in the second half of summer. Insects populate the lower part of the leaves, flowers, ovary. Infected plants can easily be identified by twisted leaves and fallen flowers. If aphid appeared on cucumbers - how to fight so as not to harm the crop?

If aphids have already settled on cucumbers, the struggle consists in the careful implementation of agricultural technology:

1. Destruction of weeds in a garden.
2. Clean the greenhouse in the most thorough manner. Remove the soil layer (5 cm) from the beds, wash the glass of the greenhouse with a solution of copper sulfate, and whiten all internal surfaces.
3. In autumn you need to use sulfur drafts. Smoke from it expels rodents, kills mushrooms and harmful insects.

Against aphids use a mild chemical agent - foliar top dressing. A solution of a mixture of superphosphate and potassium chloride is sprayed from below the leaves. If aphids have greatly bred on cucumbers - control measures consist in the use of safe biological products (Strela, Fitoverm).

Control measures

Chemical processing is undesirable because the plant bears fruit. How to treat cucumbers from aphids if the insect continues to multiply in the beds? It is recommended to use proven folk remedies:

The amount of black aphids on cucumbers will decrease if you attract beneficial insects to the fight.Ladybugs can be gathered around the neighborhood, or you can buy her larvae in the store.

To drive away ants, you can use insecticides. Apply gel to a piece of paper and place next to ant paths. If we can cope with the ants, then it will be easier to cope with aphids.

What is dangerous aphid

Aphid, affecting cucumbers, is usually called melon. The first sign of its appearance is fading and sagging leaves of the plant. It is enough to turn the leaf over, and on the back side you can see a whole bunch of parasites. Later, the aphid “eats” the whole plant: it moves to flowers, stems, and even fruit ovaries.

When the first signs of the disease appear, you need to immediately deal with pests. Otherwise, there is a big risk of losing the crop altogether. After all, if the aphids did not have natural enemies, it would absorb the entire green part of the planet.

Aphid is also harmful because it is a carrier of viral diseases. Thus, the plant, in addition to suffering from the parasite itself, can still get sick.

Folk methods of struggle

Fortunately, there are many methods to combat aphids. Moreover, folk remedies are not inferior to chemical preparations, and in some moments even surpass them.

For example, one of the effective ways to combat aphids on a bed of cucumbers is to plant strong lashes that are practically resistant to pests. It is difficult for parasites to penetrate through the dense shell of the plant. In addition, such lashes have excellent self-healing.

To grow such a strong plant, you must:

• choose the right variety of cucumbers;
• monitor the soil (periodically fertilize and properly water it);
• plant cucumbers correctly, observing the distance between the bushes and protecting them from weeds;
• If possible, use mulch to help resist weeds.

There are many folk remedies for fighting aphids. The most common are the removal, luring of enemies, insecticidal soap.

Delete. A small amount of parasites can be removed with an ordinary cloth, manually, but always with gloves. This method is especially effective in the case of “settlement” of pests on the plant stem and leaf legs. On the back of the parasite leaf, it is better to remove it with a tampon.

When new individuals appear, the process needs to be repeated.

Bait enemies aphids. The most zealous adversary of the described parasites is hummingbirds. But, unfortunately, it is impossible to meet this bird in our latitudes. Therefore, ladybugs and lacewings, which are natural predators that eat aphids, will come to the rescue.

Many consider the enemies of the pests of red and black ants. But such an opinion is erroneous. Ants, on the contrary, contribute to the spread and reproduction of parasites on plants, as they feed on their excrement.

Insecticidal soap. Insecticidal soap is an effective organic way to help cope with aphids. A solution made from this soap destroys insects and prevents them from retaining on the plant. But, making the solution, you need to make sure that it can be used on cucumbers.

You can fight parasites with a harmless analogue of insecticidal soap, which can be prepared at home. To do this, mix liquid soap (but in no case a detergent) with water. Ideal proportion: 2 tablespoons of soap per liter of water.Spray the product with a clean spray gun.

Other recipes

You can fight aphids with other folk remedies. For example, a tincture of tomato leaves, garlic and hot pepper has proven itself. You can make a solution of all these components or from one element, and then treat them with cucumbers. Pepper should be diluted in the proportion of a quarter teaspoon per liter of water. There are no specific recommendations regarding the concentration of other solutions.

“Afraid” of aphids and essential oils. Therefore, it is possible to deal with these pests with aqueous solutions of fragrant plants: tea tree oil or peppermint diluted with water.

Do not forget to cut the damaged branches of cucumbers. Sometimes you have to remove the entire bush, because the parasites are reluctant to leave their favorite plant.

Aphid is a parasite that settles on almost all plants and causes great harm to them. But it is not difficult to cure plants, it is enough to adhere to simple rules and choose the right remedy.

How to deal with aphids on cucumbers in a greenhouse with folk remedies?

Aphids - a very small insect yellow, black or green. It multiplies rapidly - in one summer season it appears so much that the entire crop of cucumbers can be destroyed.

If the distribution is too strong, the fight against aphids on cucumbers in the greenhouse by folk methods will be difficult.

So that time is not wasted, it is advisable to adhere to the basic rules:

A prerequisite is the observance of all precautions, even if folk remedies are used to combat aphids on cucumbers. It is necessary to use protective equipment; at the end of the procedure, wash your hands and face thoroughly with soap and water.

Method number 1. Vinegar and detergent against aphids. To prepare the solution, you will need vinegar 70% and a liquid dishwashing liquid. Dissolve 50 g of vinegar and 45-60 ml of the product in a ten-liter bucket of water.

When spraying, you need to remember that the aphid occupies the lower side of the leaves, the main emphasis is on it. If there are too many pests, spraying will have to be done at least 3 times, with an interval of 3 days. Then a couple of times a month regularly.

Method number 2. Garlic in pest control Peel and chop 500 g of garlic cloves, add water and leave for 5-6 days. Prepare the finished infusion as necessary.

Method number 3. Will wood ash help? You can fight aphids on cucumbers in a greenhouse using wood ash. Dissolve 35 g of ash and a bar of laundry soap in water (100 ml of liquid can be replaced). Spray plants and walls of greenhouses.

Method number 4. Tar or laundry soap for killing aphids. A variety of soap solutions do not harm the plants themselves, while being a rather effective remedy for aphids. Stir 1/3 bar of soap (laundry) in water, waiting for complete dissolution. You can use tar soap.

Method number 6. And if you use tobacco? Tobacco can be used dry or in the form of a solution. Powdered tobacco mixed with slaked lime is pollinated with plants and the soil around them.

To prepare a tobacco-soap solution, 0.5 kg of tobacco waste and 50 g of soap are used. These components are added to water and insisted for two days. Sprinkle cucumbers 3-4 times at weekly intervals.

Method number 7. Plain water against aphids. How to deal with aphids on cucumbers in a greenhouse, if it has just begun to appear? You can try a simple, but quite effective (especially in the early stages) method.

Method number 8. Various infusions. Various plant tinctures are successfully used on cucumber beds. It is important to observe the basic rules for their use:

1. the first sample of any solution is carried out on a small area;
2. It is required to complete the processing no later than one month before the harvest.

Infusions are prepared from onions, marigolds, dandelion, chamomile, sorrel, pepper, citrus peels, potato tops.

The most popular ingredients in recipes:

There are many recipes that help when aphids appeared on cucumbers in a greenhouse. How to fight - everyone decides for himself. But still it is better not to allow its appearance on their sites. If you do not thicken plantings, regularly inspect plants, create optimal conditions for development - no pests will be scary.