How to get rid of midges in seedlings? Causes, prevention

Very often housewives are faced with the problem of small midges appearing in plant seedlings, as well as in greenhouses. Let's figure out how dangerous midges are for plants or humans, and also consider the main methods that can be used to get rid of annoying pests. Midges in seedlings - how to get rid of them? Today you will find out!

How to escape from midges

Biological information: types of midges and their development

Few people know, but midges, which we can often find at home or in our garden, may not in all cases belong specifically to the midge family.

There are different types of midges

Here are the types of insects that can live on grown plants:

• house flies (they have several names - house flies, fruit flies, etc.) are a well-known fruit fly, which usually chooses for itself dying parts of fruit trees and other plants;
• if you encounter small green insects, it is more likely to be a winged aphid or lacewing ;
• small black insects are sciarids that live in the soil;
• and finally, white ones - whiteflies .

Whiteflies

Important! In its development, the midge goes through four main stages - egg, larva, pupa and adult.

How midges develop
An adult individual lays eggs, and a new individual develops from fertilized eggs. From the moment of fertilization until the larva fully matures, approximately five days pass. The environment for the development of the insect will require a moist environment, so you can often find midges on plants located near various bodies of water. Some species develop immediately in water.

Midges are often found near bodies of water

Important! Once the eggs have hatched, it will take about two more weeks for the midge to fully develop. The exact period varies depending on what type of midge we are talking about.

The nutrition of insects will be different depending on the sex - for example, females absorb blood, which is necessary for the bearing of offspring to occur as correctly as possible. Males typically feed on plant foods - that’s why we find them on indoor and garden plants. It is worth noting that there are also species of midges that do not feed on blood.

Female midges often drink human blood

Why do seedlings grow poorly?

One of the reasons for poor seedling growth may be the appearance of soil flies. This insect looks like a small mosquito. It has many names. Fungus, soil and leaf mosquitoes, sciarids, detritus mosquitoes - all this is about the same insect. Adults are dark in color and do not exceed 7 mm in length. The oral organs of the imago have lost their functionality, so the imago does not feed at all. The fly is harmful due to its extreme fertility: each female lays up to 250 eggs. And for this, she only needs conditions favorable for reproduction. These include:

• waterlogged soil;
• decomposing plant remains.

After about a week, larvae appear from the laid eggs, which cause harm to the plant. They begin to intensively feed on organic matter, humus or weak roots of seedlings. Naturally, damage to the roots negatively affects the growth of seedlings, so to save your seedlings, you need to start fighting soil flies immediately after they appear.

Why do insects appear?

The appearance of midges usually does not depend on a specific season; their reproduction rate is very high. Here is a list of reasons why you may encounter unpleasant insects.

Midges appear quickly if the soil is too wet

1. Too high soil moisture - this is the environment that is most suitable for the development of larvae.
2. Infected soil - insects appear if the soil used has previously been contaminated with larvae or eggs.
3. The smell of not fully ripened organic matter can also be a good breeding ground that attracts midges.
4. Midges can also appear when there is excess fertilizer .
5. Insects enter houses through open vents or windows .

Midges appear for various reasons

Important! Favorite crops on which midges settle are tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. Their growing conditions are such that a favorable microclimate is created for insects.

Midges love growing tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.

What harm does the whitefly cause to plants, why is it dangerous?

These pests pose a threat to more than 200 plant species. They like to live in warm conditions with high humidity. Their favorite habitats are greenhouses, greenhouses, greenhouses and remote abandoned plots in vegetable gardens, to which their owners pay little attention.

Aleurodids feed on agricultural plantings: potatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, legumes, pumpkins, etc. They also love indoor plants, they are especially attracted to flowers such as begonia, fuchsia, passionflower, balsam, lantana, geranium, orchid, and violet. These butterflies also readily feed on the juice of petunias and roses. The danger of whitefly is as follows:

• Loss of harvest. Aleurodids feed on the sap of young plants, which negatively affects their development, flowering time, and fruit formation. As a result of the defeat, they cannot fully develop and bear fruit.
• Death of plantings. Deprived of the substances necessary for further growth, the plant affected by the whitefly dries out and dies.
• The appearance of various diseases on seedlings. These insects are the source of many bacteria and viruses that are dangerous to plants. Having settled on the lower surface of the leaves, they can lead to the appearance of powdery mildew, cladosporiosis, which affects tomatoes, bacterial rot, and verticillium (fungal disease).
• The appearance of sooty fungus (black fungus). The sugary secretions of the larvae are especially dangerous for plantings. This substance coats the leaves of the plant, provoking the appearance of the Aspergillus fungus, which helps to block the leaf stomata and prevents sunlight from reaching them.

The harmfulness of midges

Black midges generally do not harm plants or humans, like some other species. But it is worth remembering that the greatest danger is not the adults, but the larvae - they can disrupt the root system of the plant.

White midges are considered the most serious pests - they absorb plant sap at all stages of their growth. The abundance of insects undermines the resistance of plants, and in the end this leads to the fact that vegetables may die or produce a weakened harvest.

White midges are considered the most dangerous

Springtails (springtails) reach a size of about 1 millimeter. They do not affect the condition of plants in any way, with the exception of green leaves.

What do springtails look like?

Considering that female midges feed on blood, they can also cause harm to humans and animals.

Important! Midge bites are quite painful and cause severe itching, because they do not have a sting with which to gently pierce the skin - midges gnaw at it, sucking blood. Midges leave itchy blisters and redness on the skin.

Midge bites are quite painful and can sometimes cause a severe reaction.
For most people, this problem does not cause serious consequences and is easily treated, but in some cases it can be very dangerous. Thus, for allergy sufferers, young children and pregnant women, insect bites can cause a strong reaction in the body, including the development of a serious allergy.

Midge bites

If the bite occurs in the eye area, then without urgent treatment there is a risk of loss of vision.

Without following the rules of hygiene and treating bites, infection can get into the wounds and cause purulent inflammation. If a lot of bites occur at the same time, this is fraught with intoxication of the body, expressed in dizziness, nausea and weakness.

It is important to protect exposed areas of the body when working in the garden so that midges cannot bite

Important information! When working in the garden, you must follow safety precautions - wear long sleeves, use repellent and special glasses to protect your eyes. If bites do occur, it is recommended to smear them with an antihistamine such as Fenistil Gel, and if signs of an allergic reaction appear, consult a doctor to prescribe timely therapy.

Signs of radish damage and damage from cruciferous flea beetle

Although the cruciferous flea beetle is small in size, it is difficult not to notice its presence in radish plantings. It is expressed in the following characteristics:

• visual detection of insects that jump in different directions at the slightest danger;
• small through holes appear on the leaves;
• then most of the green plate becomes damaged, becomes skeletonized, and gradually dries out;
• Gnawed passages are visible inside the leaf pulp.

It is very easy to understand that a cruciferous flea beetle has appeared on a radish: all the leaves of the plant are riddled with small, shiny bugs jumping between them

The danger of the pest lies in the fact that in a short period of time it can completely destroy young seedlings. Radish sprouts appear early, it is the first to take on the attack of the aggressor, because just when the crop sprouts, cruciferous flea beetles become active after the winter period. The massive spread of the pest poses a danger not only to young seedlings, but also to adult plants: the beetles will eat the leaves and the top layer of skin on the stems, and the larvae will damage the roots of the plant.

The flea beetle gladly attacks even the hardened radish seeds: it damages the buds and gnaws holes and pits in the pods.

Fighting midges in seedlings

Before deciding on a method for exterminating pests, you need to carefully inspect the top layer of soil and assess the degree of damage. To do this, you need to wait until the soil dries. With a low level of infestation, dealing with midges will not be very difficult. Be sure to quarantine healthy seedlings - take the boxes with contaminated soil to a separate place to prevent pests from moving onto healthy specimens.

Eliminating midges from a small area is not too difficult

Important! To destroy midges, there is a wide range of both chemical and folk remedies. The most pronounced effect can be obtained by combining different methods.

In cases where the infestation is extensive, a complete replacement of the soil is necessary. The seedlings must be thoroughly washed and transplanted into new soil.

If there are a lot of midges, it is better to transplant the seedlings into soil free from them

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Causes of whitefly

Whitefly (lat. Aleyrodidae)

The whitefly is a flying insect. However, in most cases it ends up on crops along with untreated soil, when it is still a larva. It is for this reason that land intended for planting should be purchased exclusively from trusted stores. Before use, the soil must be disinfected by any possible methods.

In greenhouses and greenhouses, where the temperature exceeds 10 degrees, the larvae come to life and begin to attach themselves to the first shoots. It is worth noting that they prefer high humidity. If there are too many pests, it is incredibly difficult to defeat them.

The most favorable conditions for parasites are rooms that are rarely ventilated. If plants are planted too often, the risk of pests increases. Indoors, it can occur due to a store-bought flower. It will also not be difficult for him to fly into the window. For this reason, after purchasing, new plants should be left for a month in a room in which there are no other flowers. If the whitefly is not detected, then it can be placed with the others.

There are external signs that indicate seedlings are infected with whitefly:

• the appearance of a sticky coating on the outer surface of the leaves;
• leaves begin to curl and turn yellow;
• small larvae are visible on the inside;
• the greenery is covered with a variety of spots;
• When you touch the leaves, white insects fly away from them.

Traditional methods of protecting plants from midges

The main reason why amateur gardeners prefer folk remedies is their safety and environmental friendliness. Let's look at the main ways to get rid of midges on plants using proven methods.

You can get rid of such pests using folk remedies.

Potassium permanganate solution

The time it will take to kill insects is about two to three days. Rules for preparation and use.

1. Take a few grains of potassium permanganate per liter of water.
2. Stir very well until all the crystals dissolve.
3. Spray the soil with the resulting solution.

You can treat the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate

Important! This is an effective technique that, when used correctly, gives good results.

Dandelion and red pepper

This method will help get rid of midges - use it if you want to be sure that the resulting product will not have a negative impact on health and the environment.

Dandelion roots

Cooking method.

1. Take a kilogram of freshly collected dandelion leaves and roots and fill it with 10 liters of boiling water.
2. Infuse the resulting liquid for 24 hours.
3. Place 50 grams of red pepper in a container and stir well.
4. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray the plant and soil next to it.

Dandelion and red pepper may also help get rid of midges

Note to the gardener! It is recommended to lubricate the edges of pots and containers with plants with the usual “Star” balm - this will repel insects well.

Celandine

This is one of the best means to combat black midges. Here's how to prepare an effective infusion for treating seedlings.

1. Take 300 grams of celandine and fill it with a liter of boiling water.
2. Infuse the resulting liquid for 24 hours.
3. Bring to a boil and cook for about half an hour.
4. Let the solution cool to room temperature and strain well.
5. Dilute in a ratio of 1 to 10 (10 liters of water per liter of infusion).
6. Spray the seedlings with a spray bottle.
7. After five days, repeat the process again.

You can use celandine infusion

Important! For prevention, you can sprinkle the soil in pots with seedlings with wood ash. Insects are also repelled by garlic, which is buried in the ground. Another method is tobacco ash on the surface of the earth.

How to treat whiteflies?

Methods of pest control may vary. Among the most radical is the use of chemistry.

Chemicals

Due to their toxicity, chemical preparations for whiteflies are recommended to be used exclusively in critical situations when all other tried means are ineffective.

The insecticide penetrates the plant, poisoning its juices. The whitefly, having drunk, dies almost immediately. Some drugs have an intestinal contact effect, causing paralysis and subsequent death of insects.

Important! It must be remembered that even the most effective chemicals cannot cope with larvae. Therefore, repeated treatment is carried out at intervals of seven days.

Akarin

Manufacturers of the insecticidal drug Akarin know very well how to destroy whiteflies. One of the main advantages of the product is that after use it does not penetrate into the plant and is subsequently easily washed off with water.

Spark

Iskra insecticide kills pests instantly. When using it against whiteflies on indoor plants, you should remember that the thin toxic film that forms on the surface of the leaves is not washed off with water.

Fitoverm

Fitoverm will help remove whiteflies - a universal drug whose action is based on the ability to penetrate inside and paralyze the pest. An insect that has lost the ability to eat food dies of hunger and exhaustion within one week. Fitoverm should be used in the evening or on a cloudy day, since it tends to evaporate when exposed to the sun.

Aktellik

The drug Actellik helps to successfully exterminate whiteflies. It is often called “first aid” for the destruction of many insect pests, including whiteflies on indoor flowers.

It is interesting that initially this drug, developed by the largest Swiss company, was intended for the treatment of granaries and warehouses and was used exclusively in professional pest control. Due to its high efficiency and long period of active influence on pests, the product has found wider use.

Aktara

The drug Aktara also helps to successfully poison whiteflies. It is noteworthy that it works both through direct contact with the pest and without contact, penetrating inside the plant. The death of insects occurs within a day. The product remains active for three weeks.

Biological agents

The deteriorating environment is forcing us to increasingly think about alternative means of controlling insect pests.

Wiping leaves with water

Simply wiping the leaves of an infected plant with water helps to get rid of whiteflies on indoor plants. True, time and patience are needed here. Using a damp cloth, carefully wipe the back of each sheet.

Reducing the room temperature

Lowering the temperature in the house to 100C (at most five) also gives good results. The plant will cope with this cold snap quite well, but the adult whiteflies will die.

Traditional methods for indoor flowers

The first stage of exposure to folk remedies is thoroughly wiping the leaves. To do this you need:

1. Take clean water or a weak soap solution (1 tablespoon of shavings per 100 ml of water) and a sponge.
2. Gently wipe the leaves.
3. Repeat washing after 7 days, and then re-treat the culture until the parasites completely disappear. If necessary, you can additionally spray the leaves.

Peculiarity! The drug should not be whipped into foam and should not be allowed to get into the soil.

The list of simple and reliable mixtures against whiteflies includes infusions of garlic or tobacco. For the first you need:

1. Chop 3 cloves of garlic.
2. Pour 1 liter of water into the raw material and let it brew for a day in a dark place.
3. Spray the infected leaves with the prepared infusion.

For tobacco infusion you should:

1. Take 1 pack of cigarettes and grind the tobacco.
2. Pour 1 liter of water over the raw material and put it in a dark place for 5 days.
3. Strain the finished infusion and spray it on the diseased plant.

The procedure is repeated every 5-7 days to destroy whiteflies at all stages of development.

Tar soap

To combat white butterflies, some results are achieved by using tar soap. It is used like this:

• grind it with a grater;
• For 1 part soap, take 6 parts water;
• combine the components, mix the solution well until a large amount of foam appears;
• take a sponge and apply foam to the leaves and shoots of plants;
• the surface of the soil in the pot should also be treated with foam.

Attention! It is advisable to repeat this treatment after 7 days.

Garlic cloves

Oddly enough, garlic can protect indoor flowers from whiteflies. The recipe for making garlic infusion is also surprisingly simple. You need to chop 3 cloves of this vegetable, then pour in 1 liter of raw water and let it brew for 1-2 days. After filtering, you can start spraying. Practice shows that one spraying is almost always not enough; you will need to duplicate the treatment several times.

Yarrow decoction

What else can you try if whitefly appears on indoor plants? Many gardeners use yarrow grass. Based on it, an infusion is prepared according to the following recipe:

• take 95 g of dry herb;
• pour 1 liter of boiling water over it;
• leave for 1.5 days;
• strain;
• apply for spraying.

The plants will have to be sprayed several times until the white midges completely disappear.

Tobacco

Homemade recipes based on tobacco are no less effective in the fight against whitefly. The simplest of them is the one in which 20 cigarettes from a pack are poured into 1 liter of boiling water and the composition is infused for 4-5 days. After filtering the resulting solution, you can spray your home flowers 2 times a day.

Dandelion infusion

The well-known dandelion, which grows in dry steppes, can also be useful for breeding a white butterfly on indoor flowers. The recipe based on it is prepared as follows:

• 80 g of dandelion leaves along with the root are crushed with a knife;
• pour 1 liter of water;
• leave for 3-4 days in a dark place;
• filter and use for spraying.

Garlic infusion

1. Finely chop 2-3 cloves of garlic.
2. Fill it with 1 liter of water.
3. Leave for 24 hours.
4. Strain.

Sugar syrup

To prepare such a folk remedy, you will need to dissolve 2 tbsp in a glass of water. l. granulated sugar. The vegetative part of the flowers must be treated with a sweet solution. After 6 days, it is recommended to repeat this procedure. After the white midges disappear, you need to wipe the leaves with a sponge dipped in warm water.

Iodine-soda composition

1. Dilute 12 drops of iodine in 3 liters of water.
2. Add 1 tbsp to the solution. l. soda

Alcohol extract of pyrethrum

Some people begin to poison whiteflies with an alcohol extract of pyrethrum. Why 26 g of this substance is poured with alcohol in an amount of 100 g and left for a day under a tightly closed lid. Before use, the resulting concentrate is diluted with 1 liter of water, 6 g of crushed soap is added and the entire composition is thoroughly mixed.

This composition can be used to treat indoor flowers every week.

Wood ash

Some gardeners get good results using wood ash in the fight against whiteflies on indoor plants. This recipe is not at all difficult to prepare. To do this, you need to dilute a glass of ash in 5 liters of raw water, and then infuse the composition for 4 hours. To ensure that the product adheres well to the leaves, add 46 g of crushed laundry soap to the solution.

Ammonia

Ammonia is quite often used against various pests, including against whiteflies in greenhouses and conservatories. But because of its pungent odor, it is not used in living rooms.

Glue traps and tapes

In between treatments of indoor plants with folk or industrial means, special traps are used to control pests. These devices are a piece of cardboard on which there is a layer of a substance that is safe for humans, but attractive to whiteflies.

Traps are usually painted yellow; parasites stick to them as soon as they are approached. Additionally, such products help fight spider mites and fungus gnats.

Traps are easy to make yourself. To do this, cut small pieces of thick cardboard and soak them in a mixture of:

• Vaseline;
• castor oil;
• honey;
• rosin.

When the pieces are dry, they are placed on a holder next to the pots.

Important! Similar products are also used in greenhouses - one product (10x10 cm) is enough for 10 square meters. m. area.

Sticky fly tapes can complement the traps if you place them in the window opening above containers with plants.

Fumigator

Fumigation devices with plates or liquid used to control mosquitoes will also help control whiteflies. A number of conditions must be met:

• place fumigators near plants;
• isolate the room with infected flowers (windows and doors);
• remove children and animals from the room.

Vapors from the plates and liquid become toxic in high concentrations, so after the procedure the room should be thoroughly ventilated. While the fumigators are working, being near them is dangerous to your health.

How to get rid of it with chemicals?

The use of chemicals against parasites helps get rid of whiteflies quickly enough. Most of them have a long exposure time, which guarantees complete disposal of the pest in just a few treatments.

Popular chemicals for killing parasites:

• "Spark". Used for root watering. It has the ability to persist in plant tissues for up to 25 days, so one treatment will be enough.
• "Akarin." The entire flower is generously sprayed with the drug solution. If necessary, repeat again.
• "Confidor". To destroy whiteflies, you will need to pour the plant under the root once and repeat after 7 days.
• "Aktara". This preparation can be applied to flowers at the root and sprayed on leaves and shoots. In case of severe parasite infestation, treatment is carried out 3 times with breaks per week.

Reference! When treating a diseased plant, it is necessary to treat all flowers in the apartment with preparations. This will help protect them from diseases.

Destroying black midges on tomatoes

Very often, gardeners are faced with the risk of black midges after planting seedlings in a greenhouse. There the number of pests can be greater than at home. Pests that attack tomatoes can be divided into two large groups - winged and wingless . It is quite difficult to fight them, but nothing is impossible.

You can identify midges by the condition of the tomato bushes

Pests can usually be found on the leaves and stems of tomato seedlings - they feed on the juices of the young plant. The secretions of midges spoil newly emerging leaves.

Important! The appearance of midges can prevent you from getting a bountiful harvest.

Often, midges infect tomatoes; they feed on plant juices.
To prevent the appearance of midges on tomatoes, you must perform the following steps.

Table. Preventing the appearance of midges on tomatoes.

Midges in seedlings - how to get rid of them
If the affected area is small and there are few parasites, you can remove them manually or using a hose with water. Chemical agents will be effective - they can be used both in relation to seedlings and on already formed plants. Please note - when checking seedlings for the presence of midges, be sure to inspect the inside of the leaves; insects usually hide there.

If there are only a few midges, you can even get rid of them manually

A good remedy for killing midges on tomatoes in greenhouses is a tincture of pepper and garlic. To prepare, take:

• 200 g garlic;
• 20 g hot red pepper;
• 50 g mustard powder or mustard.

Chop the garlic heads and soak them in water for several hours. Then add pepper and mustard to the resulting liquid. After mixing, you can proceed directly to processing.

Important! Water the tomatoes with the resulting solution twice a day - the midge will not return.

Midges do not like strong odors, so you can successfully use onions, garlic, and parsley

How to quickly get rid of whitefly butterflies at home

It is possible to prevent the pest from multiplying, but only if the first signs of damage are detected in a timely manner. The small white-winged insect looks like a moth; most of the time it is on the back of the leaves, where it lays very small, greenish eggs.

If you shake the seedling slightly, white butterflies will fly up. The larvae emerging from the eggs attach themselves to the plates, suck the juice out of them, leaving behind sticky marks (on the outside of the leaf). Sometimes you can see single individuals flying over seedlings.

You can quickly get rid of the pest only with chemicals; if the number of whiteflies is small, 1 spraying is enough; for prevention, the procedure can be repeated after 5–7 days. Each seedling is processed, the leaves on both sides, stems, and ground are irrigated. It is advisable to spray other plants (indoor flowers) that you have at home. The window sill or shelf is washed with laundry soap, then the seedlings are put back in their original place.

Dangerous pests: fungus gnat and white midge

If you notice that the leaves of your plants have turned yellow and started to fall off, it is quite possible that the vegetables have become a victim of white midges (whiteflies) . In order to prevent the development of white midges, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate the favorable environment for them.

They love to attack seedlings and whiteflies

Firstly, be sure to maintain the distance between plants; you cannot plant seedlings too densely. Secondly, watering should be moderate - the permissible moisture levels should not be exceeded. And thirdly, use only proven, high-quality fertilizers - do not use expired fertilizers or those whose origin you are not sure of. Factory packaging with the date of manufacture and instructions can be a guarantee of quality.

Important! Do not buy fertilizers from unknown sources - at best they will be useless.

Remember - in greenhouses and apartments, white midges can reproduce regardless of weather conditions and time of year. You can encounter them even in winter.

White midges quietly develop in greenhouses and apartments even in winter

A good way to get rid of white midges is a tincture of tobacco leaves. To do this, take a pack of cigarettes, remove the tobacco (of course, you need to remove it from the paper and filter), fill it with hot water (about a liter per pack) and leave in a dark place for about five days. The strained solution is used for watering plants every 3-4 days. Soon you won't see any pests.

Another dangerous pest is the fungus gnat . They usually fly in small groups and lay their eggs directly in the ground. The larvae of these insects are especially dangerous for seedlings.

Fungus mosquitoes are also dangerous because they can lay eggs directly in the soil where the seedlings grow.

Important! If you notice pests, it is necessary to chemically treat the seedlings.

There are separate means to destroy fungus gnat larvae. They are applied under the top layer of soil and are usually sold in granules. After watering, the granules will dissolve and the product will begin to act.

Fungus gnats and fruit flies

In closed greenhouses, you can use sulfur candles to fumigate the room.

How to properly set fire to a sulfur bomb

Insecticides containing pyrethrum and pirimiphos-methyl work well.

Important! Always follow the instructions for use. It is better to process twice; warm and dry days are good. Alternate between different drugs to prevent the development of immunity in insects.

It is important to follow the instructions for use of various products

Signs of infection

The pest appears in a greenhouse or house unnoticed. There are many ways he can do this.

Where do white-winged flies come from in an apartment?

• Purchasing infected plants from a greenhouse or store. Butterflies and larvae, especially if there are few of them, are difficult to notice on the leaves.
• In the warm season, a moth may fly into a vent or window. The mosquito net is not a problem for him, since he is very small.
• Transfer with contaminated soil. The eggs tolerate wintering well in the soil. In the spring, when they get warm, they transform into larvae. After which they look for a power source and continue development.

At first, it is difficult to notice the settlement of white-winged flies. The problem becomes obvious at the stage of significant pest spread. The more there are, the more difficult it is to fight them. There are a number of signs indicating that it’s time to think about how to get rid of whiteflies on indoor flowers and seedlings.

Signs of plant infection

• The bush slows down its development, the foliage turns yellow and begins to fall off. There is a clear growth retardation.
• If you turn the leaf plate over, a sticky shiny coating is visible. This is honeydew, a waste product of an insect.
• On the reverse side of the leaf you can see accumulations of larvae and eggs in the form of translucent small scales.
• If you touch a bush, small flies fly up above it.
• The appearance of whitish spots on the leaf plate. Later they turn black. This is the development of sooty fungus, which most often accompanies honeydew.

These signs indicate that a dangerous pest has appeared in the house. It is omnivorous, so it settles on any indoor plants. However, there are flowers that he especially loves. These are begonia, fuchsia, violets, hydrangea. He also likes young seedlings, especially tomatoes, cabbage, and cucumbers. They must be carefully inspected regularly.

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Ammonia as protection against midges

An interesting way to protect plants from midges is ammonia. It is necessary to dilute 50 milliliters of ammonia in 4 liters of water and pour the resulting solution onto the seedlings - this is enough to avoid encountering midges and mosquitoes, and the soil will not emit an unpleasant odor.

Important! By the way, ammonia is a good and affordable nitrogen fertilizer. When used, the leaves become beautiful and juicy and acquire a rich green color.

You can even use ammonia.
In small quantities, you can spray the solution on the green part of the foliage and the windowsill. Dilute 1 to 3 - this will help get rid of midges.

Ammonia for mosquitoes and midges

How else is ammonia used?

1. Treat a picnic area or camping tent with a weak solution of ammonia - this will protect yourself from annoying insects. You will need 100 milliliters of ammonia per 1 liter of water. In serious cases, when a large number of midges are observed, even an undiluted solution may be needed.
2. A 1:1 solution of ammonia will help get rid of itching from insect bites - you just need to wipe the bites with this solution.
3. Another good remedy for eliminating the unpleasant consequences of bites is a combination of ammonia and ice. Alcohol will neutralize the poison of the midge, and ice will narrow the blood vessels and prevent the poison from spreading.

You can use ammonia to get rid of itching from insect bites.
Ammonia works well to cope with both midges and their bites - this is important, since midges can carry many unpleasant diseases. The main thing is to take precautions if you decide to use ammonia.

Remember! This is a potent drug that can be dangerous to humans. Carefully protect the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and especially eyes from direct contact with ammonia. If you get it, wash it with clean running water.

It is important to use ammonia carefully.
Inhaling ammonia vapor for a long time is not recommended - coughing and swelling of the mucous membrane may occur, so work in a respirator. Be sure to ventilate the premises when working with ammonia. At this moment, there should be no children or pets in the room. Store ammonia in a well-closed place, out of the reach of children.

Species attacking seedlings

Absolute sterility when sowing tomatoes or, for example, peppers is simply not possible. At the same time, midge eggs hidden in a box with seedlings can belong to completely different types of insects.

If you have black midges up to 4 mm in size, then these are most likely leaf, soil or fungus gnats. By themselves, they do not pose a threat, but white worms (larvae) that just emerge from their clutches can damage the root system.

Greater harm is caused by the appearance of whiteflies similar to white midges over the seedlings. Insects are up to 2-3 mm long, more like moths, as they have 4 wings. If black midges are dangerous only because they reproduce larvae that damage roots, then whiteflies at all stages of life feed on the juice of future vegetable crops, weakening their immunity. The appearance of this pest on tender tomato seedlings can quickly negate the work of growing vegetables: they must be gotten rid of as soon as possible.

Against the background of black and white midges, springtails swarming in the ground, which are also called poduras, sminturs or springtails (differ in size: up to 1 mm), are almost not dangerous for seedlings. With the exception of some species, for example, vegetable sminthur (Bourletiela arvalis and green sminthur (Sminthurus viridis)) are especially harmful to vegetable seedlings in greenhouses.

What to do for prevention?

As with other insects, it is much easier to prevent them from appearing than to deal with the infestation. The prevention regimen is quite simple. It includes moderate watering, without excessive amounts of liquid. For convenience, you can use a special watering calendar or simply check the soil.

Seedlings need to be properly cared for

An interesting method for small boxes with plants: stick a match into the ground to a depth of about 2-3 centimeters - if there are no lumps of soil stuck to it, you can safely water it.

Be sure to keep the soil loose - roots need oxygen to grow.

The soil must be disinfected. To do this, it is calcined in the oven for about an hour and a half at a temperature of about 100 degrees or higher. You can add a little weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Hardening the soil for seedlings

Important! Always organize a drainage system - all pots should be equipped with holes in the bottom and trays; add a layer of expanded clay to the bottom of the boxes.

To ensure proper seedling growth and protection from insects, always maintain distance between plants.

Drainage for seedlings

What to do if midges appear?

It is recommended to properly care for the plant to prevent pest invasion. Loosen the soil thoroughly. Fertilize and water the soil in a timely manner. If the midges still appear, try to remove them using proven methods.

Sciarids, or, as they are also called, fungus gnats, as well as other flying parasites in the apartment, can be easily poisoned with a fumigator. Sticky fly tapes and ant killing gel are good for this purpose. They should be placed between pots with plants; they will attract and destroy midges.

You can help the seedlings with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. If you notice small worms in the soil or black flies on the leaves of seedlings, dilute a few manganese crystals in 1 liter of water and water the plants.

It is useful to use other control methods:

• sprinkle the surface of the soil with a thick layer of ash, it prevents the spread of parasites in the soil;
• dig some tobacco or a couple of heads of garlic into the ground. This will repel insects for a long time;
• A few days after watering with manganese, dilute 1 spoon of lemon juice and the same amount of soap solution in a liter of water. The acidic environment attracts insects, and soap prevents a film from forming on the water. Therefore, when pests land on it, they instantly drown.

If there are a lot of midges, you can save the plant with chemicals. In specialized stores it is easy to purchase products such as “Fufanon”, “Aktara”, “Grom-2” or “Mukhoed”. The main thing is to choose the right poison for the type of plant and do not deviate from the instructions.

Dichlorvos is considered an effective remedy. They need to spray the soil and leaves of the seedlings. To reduce human exposure to harmful Dichlorvos vapors, the plant can be covered with a plastic bag for several hours and taken out to the balcony.

When the larvae have infested all the seedlings, the only solution may be to replant the plants. Thoroughly shake off their roots and plant the sprouts in a new pot and soil. Old soil cannot be sifted and preserved. It needs to be thrown away to prevent further spread of pests.

Prevention is easier than cure

The occurrence of serious problems in the process of growing seedlings can be prevented by treating the soil and planting material.

Before sowing you need:

1. Place the eggplant seeds in a double piece of gauze and tie a knot.
2. Prepare a weak solution of manganese and soak the resulting bag for 20 minutes.
3. After dressing, rinse the seeds in cold water.
4. Pour boiling water over the material using a sieve.
5. Soak in a nutritious or growth-stimulating solution for 24 hours.
6. After completing the work, soak the seeds in cold water again and spread them on a damp cloth for germination.