How to fight a tick on cucumbers during fruiting? - briefly
Apply a strong jet of water to wash off the mites and treat the vines with horticultural oil or neem spray at the recommended concentration, re‑applying every 7–10 days until the infestation disappears. Remove heavily infested plants and rotate crops to reduce future outbreaks.
How to fight a tick on cucumbers during fruiting? - in detail
Effective control of ticks that attack cucumbers while the plants bear fruit requires a combination of preventive measures, regular monitoring, and targeted interventions.
First, maintain a clean growing area. Remove plant debris, weeds, and fallen fruit that can shelter ticks. Space vines at least 30 cm apart to improve air circulation and reduce humidity, conditions that favor tick development. Apply a mulch of coarse organic material to discourage larvae from reaching the soil surface.
Second, monitor plants twice a week. Inspect the undersides of leaves and the fruit surface for tiny, moving specks. Use a hand lens to confirm identification. Record infestation levels: less than 5 ticks per leaf indicates low pressure; 5–20 per leaf requires action; over 20 per leaf demands immediate treatment.
Third, employ cultural controls. Rotate cucumbers with non‑cucurbit crops for at least two seasons. Introduce trap crops such as squash or melons planted a few meters away; ticks migrate to these plants and can be removed before they reach the main crop. Water plants early in the day with a fine spray to dislodge ticks and reduce leaf wetness that encourages egg laying.
Fourth, introduce biological agents. Release predatory mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis) at a rate of 1 mL of commercial solution per 10 m². Apply the solution when temperatures are between 20 °C and 30 °C and humidity exceeds 60 %. Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki can be sprayed on foliage; repeat every 7 days during peak activity.
Fifth, use chemical options only as a last resort. Select a systemic acaricide approved for cucumber fruit, such as abamectin, and apply according to label instructions. Observe the pre‑harvest interval (usually 14 days) to avoid residues on the fruit. Rotate active ingredients to prevent resistance; do not repeat the same class within a single season.
Finally, post‑harvest sanitation helps prevent carry‑over. Clean tools, trellises, and containers with a solution of 5 % sodium hypochlorite. Store harvested cucumbers at low humidity and inspect for residual ticks before market.
By integrating these steps—clean environment, vigilant scouting, crop rotation, trap crops, biological predators, and judicious chemical use—growers can suppress tick populations and protect cucumber yields throughout the fruiting phase.