How to get rid of ticks on cucumbers in a greenhouse using folk methods? - briefly
Apply a spray of diluted neem oil or garlic‑infused water to the cucumber leaves, dust them with food‑grade diatomaceous earth, and plant basil, marigold, or nasturtium around the greenhouse to repel the pests. Install yellow sticky traps near the plants and keep humidity low to discourage mite proliferation.
How to get rid of ticks on cucumbers in a greenhouse using folk methods? - in detail
Eliminating mite infestations on cucumber crops grown in a greenhouse can be achieved with a series of time‑tested, low‑cost techniques that avoid synthetic chemicals. The following measures address the pest directly, modify the growing environment, and encourage natural antagonists.
First, prepare and apply botanical sprays. A mixture of crushed garlic (two heads), a tablespoon of cayenne pepper, a quarter cup of liquid soap, and two liters of water creates a potent repellent. Let the blend steep for 12 hours, strain, and spray the foliage until runoff, repeating every five days. Neem oil, diluted to 1 % (one milliliter per 100 ml water) with a few drops of mild detergent, interferes with mite feeding and reproduction; apply in the early morning or late afternoon to prevent leaf burn.
Second, employ mineral dusts. Food‑grade diatomaceous earth, sprinkled lightly on the soil surface and leaf undersides, abrades the exoskeleton of crawling stages. Wood ash, applied at a rate of 50 g m⁻², raises soil pH and creates an unfavorable environment for the pest. Reapply after irrigation or heavy dew.
Third, adjust greenhouse microclimate. Increase air circulation with fans to maintain wind speeds of 0.5–1 m s⁻¹, reducing humidity levels to 60 % or lower. Mites thrive in stagnant, moist conditions; improved ventilation disrupts their life cycle. Install shade cloths to keep daytime temperatures below 28 °C, preventing rapid population growth.
Fourth, implement cultural sanitation. Remove and destroy any heavily infested leaves or entire plants before they produce seed. Clean benches, trays, and support structures with a 10 % bleach solution weekly to eliminate eggs hidden in crevices. Rotate cucumber varieties annually and avoid planting them in the same location for more than two successive seasons.
Fifth, introduce biological control agents. Predatory mites of the genus Phytoseiulus and ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) can be released at a density of 10–15 individuals per square meter. These organisms consume all motile stages of the pest, providing ongoing suppression once established.
A practical schedule consolidates these actions:
- Day 0: Apply garlic‑pepper spray; dust soil with diatomaceous earth; release predatory mites.
- Day 2: Install fans and verify ventilation rate; adjust shade cloth as needed.
- Day 5: Repeat botanical spray; re‑dust ash if soil appears wet.
- Weekly: Sanitize equipment, inspect plants, remove damaged foliage, and replenish biological agents if counts decline.
Consistent execution of these folk‑based interventions reduces mite populations, preserves fruit quality, and maintains a sustainable greenhouse ecosystem without reliance on petrochemical pesticides.