How to fight spider mites on cucumbers in a greenhouse during ripening using folk remedies? - briefly
Apply a spray of diluted neem oil (1 – 2 % concentration) or a garlic‑water infusion (2 % crushed garlic in water) to both leaf surfaces every 5–7 days, ensuring thorough coverage. Supplement with a light dusting of sulfur or crushed tobacco leaves, keep greenhouse humidity below 60 %, and promptly prune heavily infested foliage.
How to fight spider mites on cucumbers in a greenhouse during ripening using folk remedies? - in detail
Spider mites become especially problematic when cucumber vines reach the ripening stage in a greenhouse, because the dense foliage creates a humid micro‑environment that favors rapid population growth. Effective control using traditional methods relies on disrupting the mite life cycle, reducing their food sources, and enhancing plant resistance without resorting to synthetic chemicals.
First, eliminate existing colonies by washing foliage with a mild aqueous solution of insecticidal soap. Prepare the spray by diluting one tablespoon of pure liquid soap in one litre of water; add a few drops of vegetable oil to improve leaf coverage. Apply the mixture in the early morning or late afternoon, ensuring thorough wetting of both upper and lower leaf surfaces. Repeat every five to seven days until mite numbers decline.
Second, employ botanical extracts known for acaricidal properties:
- Neem oil – mix 2 ml of cold‑pressed neem oil with 1 ml of mild liquid soap and 1 L of water. Spray until runoff; neem interferes with mite feeding and oviposition.
- Garlic‑pepper decoction – crush three cloves of garlic and one small hot pepper, steep in 500 ml of boiling water for 15 minutes, strain, and dilute with 1 L of water. Add a teaspoon of liquid soap for emulsification. Apply every three days.
- Pyrethrum dust – lightly dust leaves with dried pyrethrum flowers powdered to a fine consistency. Reapply after rain or heavy watering.
Third, introduce predatory insects that are compatible with organic practices. Release a weekly dose of Phytoseiulus persimilis or Amblyseius swirskii at a rate of 10–15 predators per plant. These mites consume spider mites and their eggs, helping to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
Fourth, modify the greenhouse environment to make it less hospitable for the pest:
- Reduce relative humidity to 60–70 % by improving ventilation; install adjustable vents or use low‑pressure fans.
- Maintain temperature between 18 °C and 24 °C; extreme heat accelerates mite reproduction.
- Remove leaf debris and fallen fruit daily to eliminate breeding sites.
Fifth, apply mineral-based barriers that deter mite movement. A thin coating of diatomaceous earth, lightly dusted on the soil surface and leaf undersides, causes physical abrasion to the mites’ exoskeletons, leading to dehydration. Reapply after irrigation.
Finally, monitor the crop with a hand lens or sticky traps placed at plant height. Count mites on ten randomly selected leaves; if the average exceeds five per leaf, increase treatment frequency. Record observations weekly to track the efficacy of each remedy and adjust the program accordingly.
By integrating soap sprays, botanical extracts, biological control agents, environmental adjustments, and mineral barriers, growers can suppress spider mite infestations during the critical ripening phase without chemical residues, preserving fruit quality and marketability.