How to fight a tick on cucumbers in a greenhouse? - briefly
Inspect plants regularly, remove infested leaves, and apply a labeled systemic acaricide or neem‑oil spray; keep greenhouse humidity low and introduce predatory mites to prevent further mite outbreaks.
How to fight a tick on cucumbers in a greenhouse? - in detail
Effective control of cucumber pests in a greenhouse requires early detection, sanitation, biological agents, and, when necessary, targeted chemical treatments. Begin each production cycle with clean benches, trays, and tools; any organic residue can harbor eggs and larvae. Inspect the foliage daily, focusing on the undersides of leaves where adult insects and nymphs congregate. Look for stippling, webbing, or tiny moving specks that indicate infestation.
When an outbreak is confirmed, implement cultural measures first. Reduce humidity to 60‑70 % and increase airflow with fans to create an unfavorable environment for the pest. Adjust irrigation to avoid prolonged leaf wetness, which encourages fungal growth that can mask the problem. Remove heavily infested leaves and dispose of them away from the crop area.
Biological control offers a sustainable option. Introduce predatory mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus at a rate of 10‑20 predators per square meter. Release them early in the season to establish a population that can suppress the pest before numbers explode. Monitor predator efficacy weekly and supplement releases if prey density remains high.
If cultural and biological tactics do not reduce the population to acceptable levels, apply selective miticides. Use products containing abamectin, spirotetramat, or neem oil according to label instructions. Rotate active ingredients to prevent resistance; do not repeat the same mode of action more than three times in a season. Observe the pre‑harvest interval and ensure residue limits are respected.
Maintain a record of all interventions: dates of scouting, sanitation actions, predator releases, and pesticide applications. Correlate this data with environmental parameters to refine future management plans. Regular training of greenhouse staff on identification and proper application techniques reinforces the overall strategy and minimizes crop loss.