How to process radish from a cruciferous flea?

Gardeners appreciate radishes for tasty and healthy roots, which are eagerly awaited.However, in some cases, the harvest can significantly and in a short time spoil the pests called cruciferous flea. These little bugs bring a lot of trouble. How to save seedlings and get rid of insects, let's talk in this article.

Cruciferous flea harms mainly cruciferous plants, which is why it got its name. The flea has hind legs, which jumps like a flea, but is not a blood-sucking insect. The bug prefers to settle on such weeds as wild radish, shepherd's purse, from garden crops especially loves turnips and cabbage. However, the pest has a favorite radish in the early days.

The insect has very small dimensions, the length of its oval oblong body is up to 3 millimeters. In this case, the flea is able to fly. There are several types of pests, among them black, blue, light-legged and others. The differences are determined for the most part by the color of the elytra.

Bugs live in the European part of Russia, excluding areas of the Far North. Insect damage is reflected in the fact that it damages the leaves, in which it gnaws peculiar pits. Especially dangerous is the flea for young greens, as delicate leaves can gnaw through. Delicate roots of crops serve as a treat for the larvae. Pests are most active during the day, excluding the period from 13 to 16 hours, when the sun is especially scorching.

In winter, the adult flea hides in the remnants of plants, crevices of greenhouses, soil. When spring comes, and the earth thaws, insects come out and begin to actively look for food, after which the eggs are laid. Cruciferous flea larvae live in the soil for about 3 weeks, after this time they pupate and new young individuals come to the surface. Insect can produce for the whole summer period up to 3 generations.

Any problem is easier to prevent than to deal with its consequences later. Therefore, experts and experienced gardeners recommend several methods of prevention that will help protect the radish. Consider. what needs to be done to protect the landing from the pest at the initial stage.

The proximity of coriander, dill and garlic scares off the pest, because the insect does not like the smell of these plants. In the case when radishes are planted closer to the end of the season, it is recommended to place the beds next to calendula or marigolds, which the flea also does not tolerate.

Regular weed removal will help reduce the number of insects. In addition, radishes need to be provided with nutrients, since parasites prefer weak and small shoots. It is also recommended to sow the culture as early as possible, when the flea has not yet emerged from hibernation, which will give the radish time to get stronger. Subject to the above preventive measures, there is a chance to prevent the spread of the pest in the garden.

In order to get rid of the cruciferous flea, it is necessary to make sure that the insect is harmed by an insect of this particular species. This is not so difficult to do, because despite the small size of the pest, it can be easily detected visually. Bugs jump on the leaves, which have gnawed holes.

The main danger of a flea is that in the absence of a struggle with it, the gardener can completely lose seedlings. Since the radish often appears before other sprouts, it is on him that the basis of the bugs that are activated after hibernation falls on it.In addition, a large number of these insects can harm adult plants, as well as even hardened radish seedlings, so protection measures should be started as soon as possible.

Not all gardeners accept the use of chemicals. In some cases, folk methods manifest themselves quite effectively, but their use must take into account that in this case it is not enough to process the crops once or twice, systematic care will be required, which, accordingly, implies a large amount of time. There are several of the most common folk methods, the excellent effect of which is confirmed by a huge number of examples:

• wet environment;
• dry pollination;
• shelter nonwoven fabric;
• setting traps;
• spraying infusions.

Consider the listed methods in more detail.

Red flea perfectly feels in the heat and in dry weather, but she does not like the humidity. Therefore, when planting it is recommended to choose the most wet part of the garden. Abundant watering will also scare away the pest. At the same time, we should not forget that he is afraid of strong odors, therefore adding sharply smelling agents to the water will not be out of place.

Planting can be pollinated by various means, as the bug chooses the cleanest leaves to eat. This method is very popular among gardeners, as it does not require large financial expenditures and is very effective. Mixtures can be different, the most commonly used ash in combination with tobacco or road dust, as well as lime fluff.

The components should be taken in the same proportions and mixed thoroughly. The procedure itself is recommended to be carried out early in the morning, so that the composition lays down on the dew, and also it is necessary to water the radish beforehand. In wet conditions, the particles of the mixture adhere well to wet leaves. For the most effective and uniform result, the composition is placed in a bag of gauze, and then gently shaken over the shoots. This method is also called dusting.

The disadvantage of this method is that it does not work for one-time use. Good protection can only be ensured when dusting is carried out systematically.

If crops are covered with a canvas, they will be protected not only from insects, but also from weeds and cold weather. The material must be chosen correctly, it must pass light, water and air, but at the same time be an insurmountable obstacle to pests. Well suited, for example, lutrasil or spunbond.

In addition, many recommend that a dusting of radish be carried out before the shelter, which will serve as additional protection. If you are under such a canvas, the radish will grow, will get stronger, the leaves will be slightly thickened, so when you remove the shelter, it will no longer be an easily accessible and especially attractive treat for the flea.

The use of a sticky flag is often used to help get rid of the pest. The procedure is quite simple and does not require special skills.

For the manufacture of the box, a piece of cloth is attached to the stick and processed by some kind of adhesive composition. For this purpose, great grease. After that, you must pass along the beds with radish, slightly touching the flag of its leaves. This will disturb insects that will try to escape from danger, and, flying away or jumping, will touch the material and stick to it.

Another trap is made using used engine oil in which a piece of matter is wetted. Along the beds with radish, boards are laid out on which the impregnated fabric is placed. In order for as many insects as possible to fall into the trap, the material needs to be turned a couple of times a day.

Infusions can be made on the basis of various components. For example, suitable ash and tobacco dust, which are used for dusting. There are a lot of popular recipes; everyone chooses the most simple and effective in a particular case. We give the most common.

In one liter of boiling water a glass of ash is poured, mixed and left for 48 hours. After that, rub the soap and add it to the infusion. You can also use liquid soap. This composition is sprayed with radishes.

A glass of tobacco dust should be poured into a bucket of boiling water and left for 24 hours. After that, 100 grams of soap is added, and the infusion is filtered through cheesecloth.

Garlic should be chopped. To it are added the stepchildren of tomatoes. The ratio should be 1: 1. The mixture is poured with warm water and infused for 5-6 hours, after which it is filtered and a little liquid soap is added to the resulting infusion.

Treatment with vinegar is carried out exclusively in dry weather. The composition is prepared very quickly and easily. To do this, a glass of nine per cent vinegar is added to a bucket of cool water.

Another simple and fairly quick recipe involves the use of dandelion. A pound of stems and leaves of the plant is crushed, poured with a bucket of water and left for 4 hours. After filtering and adding a tablespoon of liquid soap, the infusion is ready for use.

Potato tops or stepchildren weighing 2 kilograms of tomatoes are poured with a bucket of water, the solution is boiled, filtered. And also added a little liquid soap. Such infusion is recommended to process radishes in the evening.

Preparations to protect the garden from pests are sold in specialized departments and are presented in a large assortment. For example, such means as Karbofos, Bankol, Aktellik, Aktara and others work well with the cruciferous fleaise. When using these drugs should observe safety precautions.

Each of the gardeners can advise many ways to deal with flea. Among them there are not quite traditional ones, such as sprinkling plants with tooth powder, powdering with mustard or ground pepper. Someone advises planting weeds around the perimeter of the garden to distract the bugs, but this method has been subjected to numerous criticisms.

For tips on how to get rid of cruciferous flea, see the next video.