How can I quickly treat cucumbers for spider mites in a greenhouse using folk remedies at home? - briefly
Apply a 1‑2 % «neem oil» spray or a diluted mild insecticidal‑soap solution to cucumber leaves, covering both upper and lower surfaces and re‑applying every 5‑7 days until mites vanish. Keep greenhouse humidity low and increase ventilation to prevent recurrence.
How can I quickly treat cucumbers for spider mites in a greenhouse using folk remedies at home? - in detail
Spider mites appear as tiny specks on leaf undersides; webs may be visible. Rapid control requires immediate contact with the pest.
Folk preparations
- Neem‑oil emulsion – Mix 2 ml cold‑pressed neem oil with 1 ml liquid soap in 1 l water. Shake well; spray until foliage is wet, covering both tops and undersides. Reapply every 2–3 days until mites disappear.
- Insecticidal soap – Dissolve 5 g pure castile soap in 1 l warm water. Add a few drops of vegetable oil to improve leaf coverage. Spray in the early morning or late afternoon; repeat after 48 hours.
- Garlic‑pepper spray – Blend 4 cloves garlic, 1 cm fresh hot pepper, and 200 ml water; strain. Add 1 tsp liquid soap, dilute to 1 l, and spray thoroughly. Apply every 4 days.
- Tobacco tea – Infuse 30 g dry tobacco leaves in 1 l hot water for 24 hours. Filter, add 1 tsp soap, and spray. Use with caution; avoid contact with fruit.
- Diatomaceous earth – Dust the soil surface and leaf undersides with food‑grade diatomaceous earth. Reapply after watering or rain.
Application guidelines
- Apply when temperature is 18‑30 °C and humidity is below 70 % to prevent fungal growth.
- Ensure thorough coverage of leaf undersides, where mites reside.
- Remove heavily infested leaves to reduce population pressure.
- Rotate between neem oil and soap‑based sprays to prevent resistance.
- After each treatment, monitor mite counts for 7 days; discontinue when no mites are observed for three consecutive checks.
Safety measures
- Keep treated plants away from edible fruit for 24 hours after oil or soap applications.
- Wear gloves and protective eyewear during preparation and spraying.
- Store homemade solutions in opaque containers; label with preparation date.
Prompt implementation of the above remedies can suppress spider mite colonies within a week, preserving cucumber health in a greenhouse environment.