What folk remedies are used to combat spider mites on cucumbers in a greenhouse? - briefly
Neem oil, garlic‑infused water, and potassium soap solutions are common folk treatments, while hot‑pepper extracts or a milk‑water spray are also used to suppress spider‑mite infestations on greenhouse cucumbers.
What folk remedies are used to combat spider mites on cucumbers in a greenhouse? - in detail
Traditional greenhouse growers rely on several household preparations to suppress the two‑spotted mite that attacks cucumber foliage.
A dilute neem‑oil emulsion (5 ml of cold‑pressed neem oil per litre of water, plus a few drops of mild surfactant) is sprayed on both leaf surfaces every five to seven days. The active azadirachtin interferes with mite feeding and reproduction while remaining safe for the plant.
A garlic‑onion extract, made by steeping 200 g of chopped garlic and 150 g of onion in one litre of warm water for 24 hours, filtered and diluted 1:10 with spray water, provides a strong repellent effect. Applications are timed for early morning or late afternoon to avoid leaf burn.
Hot‑pepper broth, prepared from 30 g of crushed chilies mixed with 500 ml of water and a teaspoon of liquid soap, is applied at a 1:5 dilution. Capsaicin irritates the mites and reduces their activity.
Insecticidal soap, consisting of 2 % potassium salt of fatty acids, is sprayed until runoff. The solution ruptures the mites’ exoskeletons without harming cucumber tissue when used at the recommended concentration.
Milk spray (5 % skim milk in water) is a biological control that promotes the growth of antagonistic microorganisms on leaf surfaces, lowering mite populations after several applications.
Tobacco infusion, prepared by soaking 100 g of dried tobacco leaves in one litre of water for 48 hours, then filtering and diluting 1:20, delivers nicotine, a natural acaricide. Use with caution, as nicotine residues can affect beneficial insects.
Essential‑oil blends, such as 10 ml each of peppermint, rosemary, and thyme oils mixed with 1 litre of water and a few drops of emulsifier, create a volatile environment that deters mites.
Fine diatomaceous earth, dusted lightly on the soil surface and on the undersides of leaves, physically abrades the mites’ cuticle, leading to dehydration.
Powdered sulfur (1 % w/v suspension) applied as a foliar spray offers a contact poison that is effective against mobile stages of the mite.
Each remedy should be rotated weekly to delay resistance development. Monitoring with a hand lens ensures that applications are adjusted according to infestation intensity. All preparations are biodegradable, inexpensive, and compatible with organic certification when used according to label‑free guidelines.