How to fight spider mites in a greenhouse on eggplants using folk remedies? - briefly
Apply a diluted neem‑oil spray (≈2 ml per litre water) and a garlic‑pepper decoction (1 cup crushed garlic plus 1 tbsp hot pepper in 1 L water) to eggplant foliage every 5–7 days. Maintain greenhouse humidity above 60 % and remove heavily infested leaves to suppress mite populations.
How to fight spider mites in a greenhouse on eggplants using folk remedies? - in detail
Controlling spider mites on eggplants cultivated in greenhouse conditions can be achieved with a range of inexpensive, locally sourced remedies. The following procedures outline preparation, application, and preventive measures that rely on traditional knowledge and readily available materials.
1. Preparation of botanical sprays
- Neem seed oil: Mix 2 ml of cold‑pressed neem oil with 1 ml of mild liquid soap in 1 liter of water. Shake well and let the mixture stand for 30 minutes before use.
- Garlic‑pepper decoction: Blend 5 g of peeled garlic cloves and 2 g of hot pepper (e.g., cayenne) with 500 ml of water. Simmer for 10 minutes, cool, strain, and add 1 ml of soap as an emulsifier. Dilute to 1 liter before spraying.
- Aloe‑verae extract: Slice fresh aloe leaves, blend with 200 ml of water, filter, and add 0.5 ml of dish‑washing liquid per liter. Use within 24 hours.
Apply each spray early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid leaf burn. Cover the entire plant, including the undersides of leaves where mites reside. Repeat every 5–7 days until populations decline.
2. Physical removal techniques
- Water jet: Direct a strong stream of water at the foliage for 30 seconds, focusing on leaf undersides. This dislodges mites and eggs without chemical input. Perform weekly, especially after rain‑induced humidity spikes.
- Sticky traps: Hang yellow or blue adhesive cards at canopy height. Replace traps when covered with mites. Traps reduce adult numbers and provide monitoring data.
3. Soil and environmental adjustments
- Dusting with diatomaceous earth: Lightly sprinkle food‑grade diatomaceous earth around the base of each plant. The abrasive particles damage mite exoskeletons when they crawl on the soil surface. Reapply after irrigation.
- Humidity control: Increase relative humidity to 70 %–80 % during the early growth stage. High humidity interferes with mite reproduction. Use misting systems or humidifiers, but avoid excess moisture that promotes fungal diseases.
- Temperature regulation: Maintain daytime temperatures between 22 °C and 26 °C. Temperatures above 30 °C accelerate mite life cycles; cooling fans can mitigate heat buildup.
4. Companion planting and natural predators
- Plant aromatic herbs such as mint, basil, or rosemary around the greenhouse perimeter. Volatile oils repel mites and mask the scent of eggplant leaves.
- Introduce predatory insects like Phytoseiulus persimilis or Amblyseius swirskii if the infestation is severe. These predators can be purchased from reputable suppliers and released according to package instructions.
5. Monitoring and decision points
- Inspect leaf undersides with a hand lens every 3 days. Record mite counts per leaf.
- If counts exceed 5 mites per leaf consistently for two inspections, increase spray frequency to every 3 days and add a second physical removal method.
- When counts drop below 1 mite per leaf for three consecutive checks, transition to a maintenance schedule of biweekly sprays and continue physical removal weekly.
6. Safety and residue considerations
- Use only food‑grade ingredients; all listed sprays are safe for edible crops when applied as directed.
- Rinse harvested fruit with clean water before market or consumption to remove residual soap or oil.
By integrating these folk‑based treatments with diligent monitoring, growers can suppress spider mite populations effectively, preserve plant vigor, and maintain the organic integrity of greenhouse eggplant production.