How to get rid of ticks in a greenhouse on cucumbers? - briefly
Maintain low humidity, clean plant surfaces routinely, introduce predatory phytoseiid mites, and apply a greenhouse‑approved acaricide according to label directions.
How to get rid of ticks in a greenhouse on cucumbers? - in detail
Effective control of cucumber greenhouse pests requires an integrated approach. Begin with a thorough inspection to locate infestations. Identify the life stages present—eggs, larvae, adults—and note hot spots such as the lower leaf surface and the humid zone near the soil.
Implement cultural measures first. Reduce plant density to improve air circulation, which lowers humidity levels favored by the pests. Remove heavily infested leaves and discard them away from the greenhouse. Adjust irrigation to avoid prolonged leaf wetness; drip systems are preferable to overhead sprinklers.
Apply biological agents promptly. Commercially available predatory mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus) can suppress populations when released at a rate of 10–20 predators per square meter. Ensure the greenhouse temperature remains within the optimal range for the biocontrol agents (20–28 °C) and avoid pesticide residues that could harm them.
If chemical intervention becomes necessary, select products with low residual activity and specific action against the target organism. Recommended options include:
- Neem oil formulations applied at 2 ml L⁻¹, repeated every 7 days until the population drops below economic thresholds.
- Spinosad‑based sprays at 1 g L⁻¹, applied in the early morning or late afternoon to minimize photodegradation.
- Insecticidal soaps at 5 ml L⁻¹, ensuring thorough coverage of the leaf underside.
Rotate chemicals with different modes of action to prevent resistance development. Observe the pre‑harvest interval on product labels and maintain records of applications.
Monitor the greenhouse continuously. Use sticky traps placed at canopy height to detect adult activity. Record trap catches weekly and compare them to established action thresholds (e.g., 5 adults per trap). Adjust management tactics based on monitoring data.
Maintain sanitation between cropping cycles. Clean greenhouse structures, benches, and tools with a 10 % bleach solution, then rinse and dry. Introduce beneficial insects early in the growing season to establish a protective population before pest pressure rises.
By combining cultural, biological, and, when unavoidable, chemical controls, the infestation can be reduced to acceptable levels while preserving plant health and yield quality.