How to treat spider mites on cucumbers and which products to use? - briefly
Apply horticultural oil, neem oil, spinosad, or insecticidal soap to foliage, ensuring thorough coverage and repeating every 5‑7 days until mite populations decline. Rotate products and supplement with regular water sprays to lower leaf temperature and humidity, which discourages mite reproduction.
How to treat spider mites on cucumbers and which products to use? - in detail
Spider mites (Tetranychidae) infest cucumber foliage by feeding on cell contents, causing stippling, yellowing, and reduced marketability. Early detection relies on visual inspection of the undersides of leaves and the use of a hand lens to confirm the presence of tiny, moving specks.
Cultural measures reduce population buildup. Remove weeds and alternate crops that host mites. Maintain humidity above 60 % by watering at the soil level and avoiding overhead sprays that wet foliage excessively. Prune heavily infested vines to improve air flow and expose mites to natural predators such as predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) and lacewings.
Chemical and semi‑chemical options fall into three categories: contact acaricides, systemic products, and botanical oils. Selection depends on growth stage, residue limits, and resistance management.
- Contact acaricides (e.g., abamectin, bifenthrin, spiromesifen). Apply when mite numbers exceed economic thresholds; repeat at 7‑day intervals, rotating with a different mode of action to prevent resistance.
- Systemic products (e.g., acequinocyl, spirotetramat). Absorbed by the plant, they affect feeding mites on new growth. Use according to label rates, typically every 14 days.
- Botanical oils (e.g., neem oil, horticultural oil). Provide rapid knock‑down of adult mites and inhibit egg hatch. Apply in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid leaf burn; re‑apply after rainfall.
Integrated pest management (IPM) combines the above tactics. Begin with cultural practices, introduce biological agents, monitor populations weekly, and intervene with the least toxic product that meets the threshold. Record each application, including product name, concentration, and interval, to ensure compliance with local pesticide regulations and to preserve efficacy over time.