Aphids on pepper: causes of occurrence and methods of struggle

Most gardeners plant different varieties of pepper in their gardens.But at the same time, this vegetable is often exposed to the actions of harmful insects and parasites. Today we will talk about the appearance of aphids on pepper and how to combat it.

Aphid is a small insect that feeds on the sap of different garden crops. Mouth apparatus they have the appearance of a small proboscis. Such a structure allows pests to quickly pierce the plant and suck the juice out of it.

Aphids on pepper can be of two main types:

• Room (black). This aphid is considered one of the smallest parasites. Its value does not exceed 0.3 mm. The color of this species may be different, but black species tend to inhabit the pepper. Such pests settle on the trunk or from the bottom of the leaves of the plant.
• Green This species has an oval shaped body. The coloring is translucent with a green tinge, but at the same time the antennae are brown in color. The size of adult parasites does not exceed 0.5 mm. They are settled on young leaves of a vegetable.

Many gardeners after planting pepper notice that aphid appeared on the seedlings. The reasons for this may be different. So, often such parasites attack vegetables because of the wrong temperature conditions, because an overly warm climate contributes to their spread.

Also aphid may appear due to too much moisture in the ground. Often gardeners use unprocessed or already contaminated soil for planting, which also contributes to the spread of such a parasite.

If you plant pepper in a greenhouse, it also does not guarantee that the plant louse does not appear on the seedlings. After all, it can just fly through even too small vents and holes. In the future, the pests will spread to all vegetables.

There are several signs by which one can understand that plants were affected by this parasite:

• Deformation of young shoots. They completely lose their original form, and their development and growth stop abruptly.
• The appearance of the leaves deteriorates. They begin to turn yellow. Also, these parts of the plant will soon wither and curl heavily.
• Ovaries are not formed. They cease to form, and the buds simply fall off before they have time to open.
• There is a laying of eggs of parasites. It is formed on the underside of the leaves. Often, along with it, one can see whole colonies of already adult pests.
• The appearance of a volatile fluid. Viscous sticky droplets form on the trunks and leaves of plants, which give the seedlings a light shine.

To quickly get rid of aphids, seedlings need to be treated with special tools. Otherwise, the plants will simply die. Today there are various methods and ways to combat these pests. All of them are divided into two main groups:

• Folk remedies. This option involves the use of only natural ingredients.
• Chemicals. They imply the use of insecticides.

Such funds are considered preferable in the early stages of infection of the pepper. They are easy to use and can be easily made even at home. The easiest way is to clean the seedlings with soap or clean water. But do not forget that too strong water pressure can break the fragile bushes of pepper.Also, make sure that it is not too cold, it can greatly harm the vegetables.

But this method is only effective if the pest colonies are too small. Most often for the preparation of the required solution using soap. It should be pounded on a grater or finely chopped. For one liter of water, one tablespoon of soap will suffice. After the resulting composition can spray the pepper. For better effect, you can add a little ammonia.

Some gardeners use a decoction with ashes to spray seedlings with pepper. It is completely filled with water and put everything to boil. After the resulting solution is left to infuse a little. To make the pest control more effective, you can add some chopped soap or vegetable oil to it.

To fight with such parasites, you can use the infusion of bitter red pepper. Make it easy. You need to insist in the water this vegetable for two days. Then it is removed, and the resulting liquid treated seedlings.

Coniferous extract may also be used. You can buy it already in finished form, and you can cook it yourself. To do this, pour about three kilograms of pine needles in water and boil it all. After cooling, the solution should be infused for one week. After you need to bring the volume of liquid to 10 liters and process it pepper.

Many gardeners use onions and garlic to remove aphids. They are crushed and the resulting mass is filled with water. The liquid must be infused during the day. Then she needs to spray the plants.

Sometimes, gardeners use a dandelion to kill aphids. To do this, 0.5 kg of leaves should be filled with water (10 liters). All you need to insist 3-4 hours, and after spraying the patient pepper with the prepared broth.

Tomato tops are also often used to remove aphids. To do this, 1 kg of tops are crushed and poured with 10 liters of water. Then the infusion is infused for 4 hours and brought to a boil. After it is recommended to insist broth for another 3 hours.

Some people in the fight against such a parasite prefer mustard. It should be 10 grams of mustard powder mixed with 10 liters of pure water. All this should be insisted 2 days. Before spraying it is better to dilute the broth with clean water in a ratio of 1: 4.

Most modern gardeners prefer specialized chemicals. The most common of these are the tablets "Intavir", "Arrivo", "Decis" and "Kinmiks", which are diluted with water. According to many experts, they are the most effective. But remember that after the treatment of plants with such means to use the fruit can only be after 20-30 days, otherwise they can cause harm to your health.

In addition to these funds, many also emit some other drugs. So, often experts recommend using the insecticide "Aktara". It is great for processing plants in the early stages of the growing season. To make such a solution, it is necessary to dilute the contents of one ampoule in 10 liters of water. The resulting composition is easiest to use in the spray.

The drug "Karbofos" is also often used to destroy aphids. To prepare the solution, you need only 1 tablespoon of the tool and 10 liters of water. Treatment with such an insecticide is carried out twice with an interval of 8-10 days.

Insecticide "Aktellik" is a strong chemical agent against aphids. It is based on a special substance - pyrimiphos-methyl. It is he who contributes to the complete destruction of pests on seedlings.

Fury is a contact insecticide. It is best applied in the early stages of the growing season of pepper seedlings.

Do not forget that when handling vegetables with chemicals you need to take precautions. Spray the fruit only in special gloves. If you need to spray too large areas, you will definitely have to wear a protective suit and respirator.

In addition to chemical preparations, specialists emit special biological agents that can also be used in the fight against aphids. These include "Fitoverm-M". One ampoule of this substance is diluted in 4 liters of water and sick plants are sprayed with a solution.

"Akarin" also refers to biological products. It is diluted in a ratio of 4 liters of water to 2 ml of the product. Treatment with this compound should be carried out with caution. After all, biological poisons, like chemical ones, are dangerous to humans and their health.

Some gardeners breed other insects in their summer cottages that eat aphids. Professionals call them entomophages. These include wasps, ground beetles, ladybugs and their larvae, golden-eyed and predatory species of bedbugs. All of them can not harm the vegetables, but completely destroy the pests.

Some birds that also feed on aphids can also take out parasites. These include tits, warblers, wrens, blood beetles, sparrows and linnets. To attract them to your land plot, you should plant dill, cloves, carrots or parsley on it.

To destroy pests, you can plant some plants that are able to repel aphids. Among them stand out basil, dill, arugula, parsley and celery. Often, medicinal herbs (melissa, lavender) and flowers (marigolds, daisies) help to get rid of parasites.

Most experts recommend gardeners to carry out preventive measures in their gardens to prevent aphids from attacking vegetables. Remember that even small damaged areas of plants should be immediately removed from the site. Also be sure to watch for watering.

For information on how to get rid of aphids without chemistry, see the next video.