Various microorganisms often affect cabbage, one of which is cruciferous fleas - tiny jumping bugs that feed on the juice of garden vegetables. In particular, they are activated in dry and hot weather, therefore, to protect the crop, it is necessary to increase air humidity, including by sprinkling. But how to recognize these microscopic pests in time and get rid of them quickly, we will understand further.
How to recognize a flea?
If small dots and holes appear on the cabbage leaf plate, there may be a suspicion that the vegetable is affected by cruciferous fleas. However, before choosing chemicals or traditional medicine, it is necessary to accurately determine the type of pest, otherwise it will not be possible to get rid of them, but the plant may suffer.
Cruciferous fleas can be recognized by the following characteristics:
- these are small bugs, the size of which often does not exceed 3 mm;
- the body of insects is short, sometimes slightly elongated;
- the upper side of the body is smooth, not covered with hairs;
- the length of the antennae is usually not more than half the body;
- insects are jumping due to strong hind legs.
These fleas lay small light eggs, from which microscopic thin yellowish larvae hatch with three pairs of legs. They develop in soil and feed on plant roots, mainly weeds. In the adult, the larvae transform over 2-4 weeks.
As they develop, the color of the integument may change. In general, the color of the cruciferous flea can be accurately determined by color. The most common are its varieties:
- Wavy. Distributed in the Far East, Siberia, the Middle Urals and in the north of the European part of Russia. It can be distinguished from other representatives by the yellow notched stripes on the elytra. The larvae feed on the lateral roots of cruciferous plants, and the bugs eat the leaves, leaving only the veins intact.
- Notched. The variety was chosen by the south of Yakutia, the Amur region and Primorye. It also has yellow stripes on the elytra, but on the outside they are with a deep semicircular neckline.
- Light-footed. It is found in large numbers in the southern regions of the forest zone. This is a larger representative of the leaf beetle family, the size of which can reach 3.5 mm. The head and upper semicircle of the first segment of the chest are black with a greenish or bluish tint. The tibiae and tarsi are yellow.
- South or Black. The most harmful insect, which is distributed throughout the territory of the Russian Federation, with the exception of the Far North. The insect is painted black, but sometimes a metallic tint is noticeable. On the elytra, you can consider the points located in regular rows.
- Blue. Settled throughout Russia. It can be distinguished from other types of fleas by blue or green color with a silky sheen.
The closer to the south, the more flea species are encountered by gardeners in their plots.
It is interesting that the cruciferous flea is named so because it prefers to eat plants of the cruciferous family. From vegetable crops, she eats with appetite:
- different types of cabbage (white cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and others);
- turnip, daikon, radish;
- turnip, swede;
- leaf mustard;
- horseradish;
- radish;
- spinach;
- arugula.
From wild plants, fleas choose a shepherd's bag, common colza, field yarrow, wild radish, and from flowers - roses, chrysanthemums, alissum, matthiola and left-handed.
When and how do fleas attack cabbage?
Beetles hibernate in soil or in greenhouse designs. In addition, in cold weather, they can hide in heaps with last year's fallen leaves. In spring, as soon as the air temperature reaches + 15 ° C, they wake up and eat wild cruciferous weeds. As soon as seedlings are planted on the site or the first seedlings of cultures of the same family appear, fleas instantly move to them.
Pests are most active in the hot season.
It is possible to determine that a flea has appeared on the cabbage by changes in the appearance of the vegetable crop:
- small holes form on the sheet plate, as insects eat its upper layer;
- cabbage leaves become riddled, and the area around the holes turns yellow (this symptom is often observed with a large invasion of pests);
- young plants weaken, lose turgor and dry out even with heavy watering, as the larvae develop on the roots and often damage the root neck of seedlings.
Fleas are clearly visible to the naked eye. It is worth touching the bush, as they begin to jump in different directions.
Why are fleas dangerous?
These bugs are serious agricultural pests that can cause significant damage to gardeners in a few days. During a massive invasion on one plant, 50 to 200 gluttonous individuals can dwell, which can count all the cabbage seedlings, sprouts of radishes, turnips or turnips in the counted days.
It is worth considering that fleas breed very quickly in dry and hot weather - up to three generations of insects appear in one growing season. So that the crop does not dry out and die in a few days from a large invasion of fleas, it will be necessary to immediately begin to fight them.
Agrotechnical measures against fleas
A number of agrotechnical measures will help prevent the emergence and reproduction of microscopic insects. Each of them requires a separate consideration.
Compliance with crop dates
Planting cabbage seedlings before and after the main stages of insect development helps to avoid massive leaf damage. The best option is to sow early varieties in April, and later - in July. In the first case, by the time insects appear, the cabbage has time to take root and develop, and its leaves become coarse, therefore insects cannot gnaw them and lose interest in them. In the second case, the bugs do not have time to do much damage to the plants.
Use of cover material
In areas with hot summers, the simplest and most effective way is to cover the seedlings with special covering material immediately after it has been planted on a permanent place in open ground. For these purposes, use a special mesh or spunbond, lutrasil and non-woven fiber.
Landing around the perimeter of the phytoncid plant
To scare off the flea from cabbage will help crops rich in essential oils and having a strong smell. These are:
- marigold;
- calendula;
- fennel;
- dill;
- nasturtium;
- caraway;
- coriander.
They should be planted along the perimeter of the cabbage beds.
Increase in air humidity (watering)
These insects prefer dry air, so when creating more humid conditions, their reproduction and numbers can be restrained. To do this, it is often enough to water the cabbage by sprinkling.
Weeding
If weed vegetation is removed in a timely manner, then conditions for living and breeding fleas will not be the most favorable. In this regard, in the fall, after the harvest of vegetables, it is worth thoroughly cleaning the site of plant debris.
Folk remedies for the removal of fleas
Folk remedies are most effective at the very beginning of the growing season of pests, as they help to prevent a massive invasion of fleas. They can also be used in case of a small number of pests.
Dusting with ash
Experienced vegetable growers have noticed that fleas do not settle in areas dusted with wood ash. It is laid out in each hole when transplanting cabbage seedlings to a permanent place, and then it is also sprinkled with aisles after finishing planting.
So that the bugs do not like the leaves, they are processed:
- tobacco dust;
- a mixture of furnace ash and slaked lime (fluff).
Spraying with infusions and solutions
To get rid of cruciferous fleas, cabbage can be sprayed with various means. The following recipes have proven themselves well:
- Tomato and garlic infusion. 250 g of fresh tomato tops are minced, and 10 garlic heads are passed through a meat grinder or garlic grinder. Plant components are poured with 10 liters of warm water and insisted during the day. Next, the infusion is filtered and dissolved in it 50 ml of liquid soap for better adhesion of the liquid to the sheet plate.
- Dandelion Flask. 500 g of fresh leaves and flowers of dandelion are crushed, pour 10 liters of water. Insist 3 days, then filter and add 50 ml of liquid soap.
- Ash and soap solution. 1 g of crushed ash is poured into 3 liters of boiling water and left to infuse for 2 days. Then add 1/4 part of a bar of soap - household, green potash or tar.
- Chicken litter infusion. Chicken droppings are diluted in water in a ratio of 1:20. Leave the mixture to ferment in the open air and use as directed.
- Tobacco infusion. It is prepared from 200 g of tobacco and 10 l of water with the addition of a small amount of soap.
- Wormwood infusion. 1 kg of fresh plant material is ground and poured 10 liters of boiling water. Insist it for one day, covering the container with a lid.
Freshly picked branches of wormwood or tansy can be arranged in the aisles of cabbage beds, as they contain a lot of essential oils, have a pungent odor and have a deterrent effect.
Video about simple and reliable means of controlling the cruciferous flea:
Using tape
This method helps reduce pests. To do this, a layer of some sticky composition - resin, tar or natural honey is applied to a thick cardboard or plywood on both sides.
Then, waving this device, they pass several times along the aisles. The worried fleas start jumping and stick to the sticky layer. After the procedure, cardboard with insects adhering to it is burned.
Engine oil use
Some vegetable growers, as well as car owners, have noticed that the flea attracts the smell of used motor oil. So, to remove part of the pests from the cabbage, rags well-soaked in oil can be laid out on a bed at a distance of 3-4 m.
How to deal with fleas with special drugs?
If the flea population is very large and there is a risk of death of the entire crop, then chemical or biological preparations are used.
Biological insecticides
They are characterized by a low level of toxicity, therefore they do no harm to humans or beneficial insects. One of these insecticides is Actofit, which is used taking into account such recommendations:
- the solution is prepared from 4 ml of the drug and 10 l of water and is immediately used by spraying them with plants, since after a few hours its effectiveness decreases;
- the treatment is carried out at the first sign of the appearance of fleas in dry, calm weather and at an air temperature of + 16 ... + 28 ° C, since at a lower temperature its properties also deteriorate;
- re-treatment is carried out after 2-3 weeks.
12-18 hours after the treatment of cabbage with Actofit, insects stop moving and die in 2-3 days.
Chemicals
They help to quickly destroy insects, but they are harmful to all living things - humans, animals, birds, pollinating insects. When using these drugs, you must remember about personal protection. Processing is carried out in dry, calm weather, preferably in the evening, when the fleas become less active.
Here are the most effective drugs:
- Aktara. This is an intestinal contact insecticide, the main substance of which is thiamethoxam. The product is diluted in warm water (25 ° C) at the rate of 3 g of substance per 10 l of water. The solution is used immediately for its intended purpose - they are sprayed with leaves or pour it under a bush. The remaining funds are not stored, but disposed of. The drug is not washed off with water. It begins to act 30 minutes after treatment and retains its properties for 3-5 weeks. To get rid of all fleas, the solution should not be used 1-2 hours before precipitation.
Actara does not accumulate in fruits and plants, is not addictive in parasites, however it is toxic to pollinating insects, therefore it is not used during flowering.
- Actellic. Contact-intestinal insecticide, which acts on the digestive and nervous system of pests. To spray cabbage, take 2 ml of the drug and dissolve in 2 l of water. This amount is enough to handle 20 square meters. m beds. When using this drug, you need to consider the following nuances:
- plants are not treated with a weakly concentrated solution, since it causes the death of only weak individuals, and strong adults acquire resistance to the agent;
- Do not process cabbage after dew, rain or 2 hours before rainfall:
- it is not recommended to spray the prepared solution with a strong wind;
- insects get used to this drug, therefore it is forbidden to use it for several years in a row.
Actellik is a highly toxic agent not only for pollinating insects (bees and wasps), but also for fish, therefore it is forbidden to use it near water bodies.
- Decis. Contact-intestinal insecticide, dangerous for bees and fish. It is forbidden to use during flowering and near fisheries. The huge advantage of the product is that its effect does not stop when precipitation occurs, and it is not washed off with water.
The duration of the protective action is 15 days. Processing is carried out in dry weather in the evening. The maximum number of sprayings is 2 times per season. Against the fleas that settled on the cabbage, a solution is prepared at the rate of 0.35-0.5 g of the product per 5 liters of water. This amount is enough to process an area of 100 square meters. m - Imidalite. Contact and intestinal systemic insecticide, which is used to prevent the appearance of fleas. Cabbage seeds are treated with them before planting. The drug is a flowing paste, which easily sticks to the seeds, so its consumption is small. It provides a protective effect for up to six weeks from the moment of sowing. Seeds are etched 2-7 months before sowing or immediately before planting, preferably 1-2 weeks.
- Karate. This is a contact insecticide that penetrates the insect within an hour and immediately helps to stop its digestion. It is disastrous for both adults and larvae. The working solution is prepared in 2 stages: first, mix the drug with a small amount of water until a homogeneous consistency, and then dilute it to the desired concentration.
To spray cabbage from cruciferous fleas, it is enough to take 1 ml of the drug per 10 liters of water. During the growing season, the vegetable is treated 2 times. The procedure is contraindicated during flowering, as the drug negatively affects bees. It also cannot be sprayed near water bodies. - Tabazole. This is a flea control repellent insecticide. The tool is a fly ash. In addition to repelling insects, it is also used as an ash fertilizer, since it is rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus and other trace elements that improve plant nutrition. Planting cabbage is pollinated with this tool in dry and calm weather. For 1 square. m, you need to take 10-20 g of the substance.
- Lightning. Contact-intestinal insecticide with acaricidal effect of a wide spectrum of action. It suppresses the vital activity of both adults and larvae. After treatment, most pests die within 30 minutes.Lightning has a long period of protective action - more than 3 weeks. Prepare a working solution of 1-2 ml of the substance and 10 l of water. Sprouts are sprayed with cabbage when a pest appears, but no later than 20 days before harvest.
- Atom. Highly effective synthetic pyrethroid insecticide. It is available in the form of an emulsion concentrate, which has a long protective effect - depending on weather conditions it is at least 3 weeks. After spraying, the fleas begin to die after 1-3 hours, but their mass death occurs within 3-12 hours. The product is dangerous for bees and wasps.
- Initiative. Soil insecticide against wireworms and other soil-borne insect pests, including cruciferous fleas. The drug is available in the form of microgranules that are evenly mixed with soil or sand. Thus, a protective zone is created around the plant, through which the pests cannot pass, since they die from direct contact with the substance. Initiatives are made when planting seedlings, and its protective effect lasts all summer.
When preparing any mixture, use the dosage recommended by the manufacturer.
Prevention
In order not to waste time in the growing season on pest control and not risk harvest, preventive measures should be taken annually at the site. They are as follows:
- In the autumn, deeply dig the soil in the beds. Insects prefer to winter in the ground, so digging violates the comfortable conditions for their existence. As a result, most pests will die in the winter.
- Observe crop rotation. Cabbage can not be planted after related plants, that is, after representatives of the same family (turnip, radish, turnip). It is better to grow it in areas where cucumbers, garlic, onions, beets, potatoes, and tomatoes grew last year.
- Timely weed beds and remove weed grass, especially representatives of the cruciferous family. Harvested weeds must not be left near the beds. They will attract fleas and become their breeding ground. It is better to put them in a compost pit or carry them to a sufficient distance from the site.
About other pests of cabbage, as well as common diseases, read here.
Cruciferous fleas are insects of the leaf beetle family that can cause great damage to the crop. Their timely detection and elimination will help not only save the affected plants, but also protect those instances that have not yet been attacked.