Fighting the “grape mite” at home
Grapes are affected by many different insects, and some of them can leave the gardener without a harvest. Undoubtedly, the grape mite belongs to this group, distinguished by its harmfulness and voraciousness. What is it remarkable for, how to detect it on the vineyard and what do you need to know about effective measures to combat the pest?
Description of the grapevine mite
The grape ritual mite, simply “grape mucus,” “itch” or “spider mite,” is a microscopic insect, Eriophyes vitis pGST, that affects mainly the leaf plates of grapes. The itch sucks out the juices in various places, leaving new growths resembling warts.
The grape bite occurs under the kidney scales. Because of this, the first signs of the lesion are felt at the beginning of shoot growth. To do this, it is enough to carefully inspect the underside of the leaves of the plant.
Female insects are milky-white or straw-yellow, worm-like insects 0.16-0.2 mm long (they have 2 pairs of legs). Male insects usually do not exceed 0.14 mm in length. The egg laid by the female is pure white and oval in shape.
How does it breed?
The average life span of the felted ooze is 1.5-2.5 months, and during this time the female insect may lay up to 10 eggs of 20-300 eggs each. Usually she attaches them to the inner side of the leaf with felt threads, which look like cotton specks (hence one of the names of the pest). Appearance of eggs from eggs occurs on the 7th-10th day, and in another 14 days it reaches the size of an adult, quite capable of laying new eggs. Afterwards, the process is repeated, and up to 27 million parasites may appear on a plant from just one mite, completely destroying it throughout the entire vine bush.
How the mite shows itself on grapes
The grape slug itself can usually only be seen under a microscope, but traces of its life activity will be visible to the naked eye. The main signs of the problem in this case are:
- Twisted leaves with the appearance of burgundy tubercles on their surface;
- reduction in the size of young leaf plates;
- Change of the usual color of the green mass to whitish;
- yellowing or separate parts of leaves or appearance of necrotic spots on them;
- delayed growth of young shoots with further desiccation;
- loss of productivity;
- drying out of leaf laminae and their falling off;
- Shortening of internodes.
When leaves are damaged by mites, abnormal overgrowth of tissues with formation of galls on their surface is observed. All swellings are green or red in color, with a thick rusty-brown felt on the lower part of the leaf lamina. After gall dries out on one leaf, the pests move on to other leaves, often even damaging the inflorescences and tendrils of grapes. Soon the specimens are densely occupied by pests.
Application of preparations against mites on grapes
There are many preparations for the control of Dras-Filzicum on the modern market, but not all of them have a high level of effectiveness. First of all, gardeners should pay attention to the following types of compositions and be sure to pay attention to their description and method of application.
“Grandmayte.”
Insecticaricide “Granmayt” is a drug made in Russia, which is able to effectively combat various types of mites on grapes, apple trees, black hunters, potato rakits and various vegetable plants, which are grown in closed and open ground. It is supplied as an aqueous suspension in 0.0125 l glass container. The preparation has a destructive effect on mobile mite flocks, while the pest eggs are partially damaged. Thin treatment of the affected grapes with Capacal is most effective by adding a stick to the active solution (you can use finely chopped linen).
Consumption rate is 12.5 ml per 8-10 liters of water, storage time in a closed container is 36 months. Diluted drug should be used as soon as possible. In addition to high efficiency, it has a reduced toxic effect on bees, birds, fish and heat-loving animals, which only gives it advantages.
“Vertorek.”
This Akricid insecticide has a pronounced intestinal effect on garden and vegetable garden pests. The drug comes as an emulsion concentrate in bottles of 100 g per 1 L, which is diluted in water before use. Vertore treatment of grapes against thrips, mites and apple’s broom, possibly within the framework of using of antiresistance programs.
Absorption of the preparation into plant tissues occurs 2 hours after treatment of grape bushes, and the protective effect lasts up to 4 weeks. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of treatments per season. Vertimek belongs to the second class of hazard for people and the first class for bees, so it is characterized by low toxic effect. However, it is prohibited to use it in the water protection zone. Consumption rate of the compound when treating grapes is 0.75-1 l/ha, the shelf life is 4 years from the date of production, but only if the container has not been opened.
“Fufanon”.
Fufanon” insecticide belongs to the group of non-systemic phosphorative compounds and is one of the most effective preparations not only against felt mites on grapes but also against other transmitting, sucking, hard-bodied, scales, two-wings and mites on most fruit and fruit trees and mites on most fruit and fruit trees and mites. Field plants. The remedy is characterized by a pronounced contact acid and scaly action on the pest organism, which leads to its death in 2-3 hours after eating the treated grapes.
“Fufanon” comes in the form of concentrated emulsion in doses of 5 liters and is diluted in clean water before application. The rate of consumption of the working solution is 2-5 liters per bus of grapes, while necessarily taking into account its age and type of formation. For greater efficiency, the spraying of plants is carried out twice at intervals of 28 days. The shelf life of the drug in a closed container is 4 years from the date of manufacture indicated on the package.
This product is used to treat various crops. Produced as emulsion concentrate, it also affects the pest organism, which is largely due to the main active ingredient dimethoate.
In addition to grapes, “bi-58” can be sprayed on plums, pears, apples, vegetable crops and even herbs (e.g. alfalfa). The drug components are quickly absorbed into plant tissues and distributed throughout the body, which has a negative effect on the insect body in the first few hours after eating the treated parts of grapes. The protective effect lasts up to 4 weeks at both low and elevated air temperatures.
The working solution is made by mixing 10 ml of concentrated agent (supplied in 5 ml ampoules) and 10 liters of water. The plants are sprayed during vegetation period with 1.1-2.8 liters of the ready preparation per 1 ha of plantings. Mechanized soil treatment among vineyards can be carried out 4 days after spraying, and manual treatment – in 10 days. The maximum shelf life of the preparation in factory conditions and in unopened containers is 2 years, but it is recommended to use the ready working solution on the first day.
Video: Spraying the garden with BI-58
“Actellic”.
“Actellik” today is one of the most popular insecticidal acaricides with stomach action, which has a strong effect on various types of mites and other pests of garden crops: for example, aphids, thrips, scales, whiteflies, moths, fungi, cabbage moths and apple moths. The main active ingredient of this Swiss formulation is pyrimiphos-methyl at a concentration of 500 g per 1 liter. It belongs to the group of organophosphorus pesticides, which explains its contact action: disruption of acetylcholinesterase enzyme and complex biochemical processes of acetylcholine metabolism. The evocative action of the preparation increases in warm and humid environment with air heating above +15°C, but at values above +28°C it is better to postpone spraying of vines. The protective effect of the drug lasts 10-12 days from the moment of its application in closed type of soil and 3-10 days in open type of soil.
If necessary, you can mix Actellik with other types of insecticides, but only if the reaction of the prepared solution for use is neutral (you cannot combine the drug with other alkaline preparations or Bordeaux mixture). Both in combination and in combination with other substances, the described insecticide has a high stability on inert surfaces.
The drug is supplied by the manufacturer as a concentrate in 2 ml ampoules. Before use, it must be diluted in 2 liters of clean water, and if there is a large accumulation of pests, the contents of one ampoule can be combined with 1 liter of water. Ready working mixture is not to be stored and must be used on the first day after preparation. Vine bushes should be sprayed with standard sprayers, choosing only dry and quiet weather for this process. In one season, no more than two treatments with an interval of at least two weeks.
Actellic is characterized by moderate toxicity to humans and animals (second class of danger), but it poses an increased danger to honeybee insects and fish. Do not treat plants near water bodies or use the drug on flowering plants. After completing the manual treatment, your face should be thoroughly washed with soap and water. The shelf life of a closed package of insecticide is 3 years from the production date. It is recommended to burn or bury the remaining water containers after use.
Folk methods of mite control
Folk recipes for destroying felt corks from grapes are not as effective as chemical insecticides, but in the early stages of the problem can certainly lead to positive results. Good examples of medical remedies in this case are:
- Infusion of marigolds. 200 g of a bowl or dried flowers of the plant are poured in 1 liter of water and incubated for 48 hours in a cool room. After the appointed time, the liquid is strained, 20 g of crushed laundry soap is added, stirred and water is added again, bringing the volume to 1 l. Spraying of grape bushes is carried out with a fine-porous sprayer, which wets the lower part of the plant leaf plate. Duration of the procedure is daily for 7 days.
- Infusion of potato cladding. For 1-1.2 kg of chopped potato claws need to take 2 liters of boiling water and leave overnight in a dry, dark room, then stir and cover the container with a lid. The finished infusion is filtered and warm water in a bucket is also diluted to 10 liters of total volume. Leaves and bunches are treated with a sprayer with a thin mask, necessarily on both sides of the leaf. Treatment time is 5-6 days with daily intervention.
- Garlic infusion. 50 g of crushed garlic cloves should be pour 0.5 l of boiling water and exist 15 – 20 minutes under a closed lid. The prepared solution is again diluted with 1 liter of water and used to treat grape bushes. Spraying of grapes is carried out from top to bottom for a week. It is very important to prepare a new part of the garlic infusion every day, as it cannot be preserved for a long time.
Agrotechnical control measures
Agrotechnical control measures against grapes bring good results only if the infestation of plants is moderate. The first thing a gardener should do when detecting signs of insect activity is to cut off and burn the damaged leaves or other parts of the vine bush, old and undergrown shoots. As for the latter procedure, it can also be carried out on healthy plants to reduce the likelihood of damage by the insect pest. The floor under the grapes is loosened and humped. To prevent the entry of the mite, they are treated with one of the folk remedies or special chemical preparations, burning at least 10 cm. It is useful to spray them and the remaining healthy areas.
If the bark on the vine is swollen and cracked, it is also removed, especially in areas that are closely related to the affected vines.
How often should grapes be treated for mites?
The frequency of treatment depends on the type of preparation used. Strong insecticides are used two to three times a season with an interval between sprays of at least 14 days. Herbal teas and decoctions prepared according to folk recipes are safer, so they can be used daily for 7-10 days. After a one-week break, the procedure, in part by courses, can be repeated up to four times per season.
Infection prevention measures
Prevention of infection of grape bushes with scabies is simple and consists of the following important steps:
- Timely destruction of plant debris, especially already infected cuttings of bushes;
- Autumn spring recultivation of the soil under the vineyard;
- Removal of the lower leaves of the crop;
- Pre-binding the vines, which prevents waterlogging and rotting of the discs;
- Control watering of grapes to prevent the same waterlogging of the substrate (it is good to have a watering calendar);
- planting only strong and healthy seedlings, preferably varieties resistant to felt mite;
- timely application of fertilizers to vineyards;
- Observance of sanitary and hygienic norms when taking care of plants (many pests are brought into the place together with the clothes or shoes of the gardener).
When choosing a place for grape bushes, you should pay attention to dry and sunny areas, which are blown by winds, but at the same time protected from cold draughts. Free air circulation between plants is one of the first preventive requirements.
“Grape mite” is a nuisance pest that is quite realistic to combat with standard methods. Whether you decide to use classic insecticide formulations or try to solve the problem only with the help of referents is up to you, but the earlier you start the fight, the better the chances of a successful harvest and the plants themselves. This should be observed by beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
All about mites on grapes
You can lose your entire grape harvest if you do not notice the appearance of the mite on the bushes in time. To combat this pest, you should combine preventive measures and timely treatments with ready-made or self-prepared preparations.
Types and description of pests
There are several species of mites that can be found on grapes. One of the most common is the wine spider mite. It looks like a small insect that is 0.4 to 0.6 millimeters long and can be either yellow or gray-green in color. The pest overwinters in a pile of leaves or directly in the bark of the shrub.
When the first leaves appear, it moves to the green part of grapes. Even at +13°C female spider mite can lay eggs, 70 to 140 at a time.
After a week, the hatching larvae begin to actively consume the sap of leaves and discs of the culture. The toxic saliva causes the surface to deform at the puncture point. Small swellings also form on the outside. After a few weeks, the larvae grow into sexually mature individuals, and yellow spots form on the leaf laminae, after which they dry out. In addition, the lower part of the leaves is covered with a thick layer of spider webs. It should be noted that the spider mite first grows on low-growing weeds and then migrates to the grape itself.
The European red mite used to live only on apple trees, but is now increasingly found on grapevines. After the insects hibernate under the buds, they will begin to actively reproduce with the end of spring frosts. Female pests are reddish in color and males are green-brown. The mite eggs are also colored reddish, so their large clutches can be felt even with the naked eye. The leaves of the damaged bush gradually take on a brownish-golden hue.
Pest scabies is not considered a very dangerous pest, although it is the most common for this crop. After translation in the buds, the 0.2 millimeter-sized insect with a white or yellow oval body moves to the lower surface of the tin plate and begins to eat its contents. The other side is covered with whitish concave formations of fierce “felt”. In spite of this, the leafhoppers are not killed by such a blow, but go on with their main life.
Grape leafhoppers are a very small parasite that significantly burns off its control. In winter, the insect takes refuge in the buds, the contents of which it consumes. The bunches attacked by this mite spoil the shoots: they become weak and crooked, often withering before they have time to grow.
Turkestan mite becomes visible on grapes in the first half of summer. In a season, the female lays about 500 eggs.
Another type of mite on this crop is the bud mite, which causes serious damage to the vine. During the summer, about 6-9 generations manage to visit the bush, eat the contents of the buds and damage the bases.
signs of infestation
That the grapes suffer from mites, says the external appearance of light-colored spots on the leaves. Over time, these formations change their shade to brown, and then the leaf plate itself curls, becomes covered and falls off. Affected leaves are also covered internally with a dense mesh – their maximum concentration is observed on the peduncles and internodes. If you look closely, you can see moving dots – the pests themselves right on them. When attacked by the red mite, the leaves quickly turn bronze in color.
In addition, the surface is covered with a reddish plaque from the eggs of the insects.
methods of control
Each gardener himself decides whether to treat his plantings with chemical preparations or limit himself to spraying with folk remedies. If the infection has already spread massively, it is better to combine different types.
Agricultural machinery
Agricultural control techniques include sufficient watering of bushes under good pressure, as well as burning severely affected bushes and leaves. Spraying the plantings with a soap solution also reduces the pest population. In grape beds, it is important to remove weeds regularly. This procedure is especially important early in the season.
Chemical
In the case of a serious infestation, it is necessary to treat clusters of parasites with aggressive insecticides. For example, 75% colloidal sulfur is suitable for this purpose. This substance, penetrating into the cells of the insect, forms an enemy sulfide, which is a poison. Experienced gardeners recommend using Tiovit-Jet or Cumulus sulfur for this purpose. A big plus of sulfur is that it can also be used the day before harvest. Spraying is best done on a warm but not hot day, as high temperatures lead to deterioration of the necessary properties of sulfur.
Transparent concentrate “Fufanon” destroys insects, but does not harm the plants themselves. The insecticide begins to act after 30-60 minutes, but only if the drug does not drip off the leaf plates. BI-58″ treatment is carried out in summer during the vegetation period. Insecticide is diluted with water and then used for crop spraying. The desired effect also brings “Omit”, which is resistant to sun and rain. The active action of the drug lasts for 3 days.
Aggressive “Actellic” in large doses can even have a negative effect on one person, so it should be used with great caution. Its action starts after 10-120 minutes and lasts for several weeks. The same applies to “Vertimek”, which should not be used during bud blossoming.
It should be noted that when working with insecticides it is necessary to protect respiratory tract as well as skin and clothes.
Biological
The most well-known biological preparation is Fytoverm. Unlike insecticides, fruits can be harvested as early as the 4th day. The product effectively fights mites, but its protective properties are not long-lasting, and the crop requires several treatments during the season. FITOVERM” can be used immediately after flowering. Another high-quality biological preparation is called “Actofit”. Its application is recommended in windless, dry and moderately sunny weather. It is most convenient to treat with a fine sprayer.
Folk remedies
Treatment with folk remedies against mites is best suited for the early stage of the spread of the problem. A kilogram of dry black bilberry is soaked in 10 liters of water for 12 hours. Before using, 40 grams of soap are added to the liquid and the entire mixture is strained. The prepared composition should be used for treatment with caution, since all parts of the plant are poisonous. Usually it is sprinkled on the bush, although some gardeners prefer to simply sprinkle grapes with dried bleached grapes.
Another quite effective remedy is dandelion. Its fresh leaves in the amount of 500 grams are poured into a bucket of heated water and insisted for about 3 hours. The ready mixture is filtered and combined with a soap solution. It is necessary to spray grapes with the homemade preparation at once, because it cannot be stored. The treatment is carried out during the blossoming of the buds and after flowering.
Medicinal chamomile also helps to get rid of the mite. A kilogram of dried herbs or 3 kilograms of fresh herbs are combined with 10 liters of hot water. After standing for 12 hours and combining with soap, you can treat the plant by spraying. Such a treatment can be carried out 2-3 times.
With real tobacco, pest control can take place in two ways. The first is to manifest the bed, and the second is to spray the bushes. To make a therapeutic preparation, 400 grams of the main component should be poured into 10 liters of water, incubated for about a day, and then boiled for several hours. Soap is added to the strained mixture and another 10 liters of water is poured.
If horseradish grows in the garden, it can also be used for insect control. Leaves with discs should be crushed in a meat grinder. The resulting mass fills about 1/3 of the bucket, and the remaining space is poured with water. After the solution has infused for about an hour, it can be used for evening or morning spraying.
Treatment with ammonia can be effective. It’s enough to dissolve 25 milliliters of the preparation in 10 liters of water, and then add soap shavings for better fixation. As a rule, for a single treatment, a bundle is enough, but a second spraying can be arranged after a couple of weeks.
Precautions
To protect grapevines from the appearance of the mite, preventive measures should be carried out in a timely manner. It is very important to destroy last year’s leaves, fallen areas of bark, prunings, garbage – that is, all objects that pests choose for wintering. In the spring and fall, the soil around the beds should be re-cultivated, and in the hot months it should be treated with Acarine or Neoron. Bushes should be quickly cleared of damaged foliage so that mites have no opportunity to crawl up from below. Throughout the growing season, make sure that the vines do not touch the ground – it would be more correct to tie them up.
Fertilizer or insecticide treatment should be carried out in accordance with the instructions, so as not to poison the culture. Of course, it is necessary to regularly inspect the plantings for the presence of insects.
Catching seedlings before planting them in the open ground should be quarantined. It is equally important to regularly spray the bushes, as this pest prefers drought.
If you are competent in fighting grapevine cards, watch the following video.
