How to treat pepper seedlings against aphids at home

Types of aphids that parasitize peppers

There are many types of aphids. The following pests are considered the most dangerous for pepper seedlings grown on a windowsill or in a greenhouse.

Potato aphid

The length of wingless adult individuals, colored in white-green and reddish-brown tones, reaches 2-3 mm. Potato aphids pierce the leaf blades of peppers and release toxic substances that cause deformation of the tops of home seedlings.

Lumps and curls appear on damaged foliage. Affected leaves turn yellow and fall off.

Cotton (melon) aphid

The body outline of the pests is pear-shaped. The length of insects reaches 2 mm. The matte body can be painted in various shades of yellow-green. Against the background of damage to the underside of the foliage, the green mass turns yellow, curls and dries out.

The pest population is rapidly increasing. Weakened seedlings soon die. In the area of ​​sugary secretions of aphids, sooty fungi develop, which impede the process of photosynthesis.

Peach greenhouse aphid

The wings of the peach greenhouse pest are transparent, and the head is black and shiny. On the greenish abdomen you can see bright black areas.

Winged individuals are capable of transmitting viral infections to crops from external sources. The affected leaf blades, covered from below with sticky secretions of aphids, begin to curl. The leaves turn yellow and fall off. Insects are capable of transmitting tobacco mosaic virus.

Potato aphid

Description

These are small pests, the body size is about 2-3 mm. But there are species where adult individuals can reach sizes of 5-7 mm; they are much less common. They have an oval body shape, a wide and pointed abdomen, and a sucking mouthparts.

Their diet consists of plant sap, which they suck after piercing the leaf blade. Depending on the species, insects have different body colors; there are individuals with green, white, black, red, yellow and others.

Regarding the species that can be found on pepper bushes, these include:

• Peach. Representatives of this species have an oval body shape. Adults grow to a size of no more than 2 mm. Often there are individuals with a green body color, but they can have a red body color. Under favorable conditions, they multiply very quickly and form huge colonies. They live on the stem and lower part of the leaf blade; in case of severe infection they can be observed on the upper part of the leaves.
• Greenhouse. Often these representatives are found in greenhouses and greenhouses. The insects are quite large in size, adults are 1.7-3.6 mm. They have a green body; in some representatives a stripe is visible throughout the body.
• Nightshade. These representatives are the largest; their body size can reach 3-4 mm. Often there are individuals of light green color. These insects are also called potato aphids.

Despite some external differences, the harm caused is equally great.

Causes of the pest

Why does such an unpleasant attack occur? There are many reasons why there may be an invasion of aphids on pepper seedlings growing indoors. Most often the problem occurs in the background:

• Incorrect temperature conditions, too warm air in the room at night.
• Increased humidity of the root system.
• Using contaminated seed material or insufficiently treated soil for planting.
• Entry of adult insects through an open window or doorway of the greenhouse.

Pepper seedlings are most often grown indoors, on window sills, in a greenhouse or outdoors. Under these conditions, aphid infestations are observed due to the use of contaminated soil or seeds.

Important! To prevent the occurrence of such a problem, it is necessary to carefully select seed material for planting, as well as use high-quality soil.

melon aphid

Causes of plant damage

In winter, the eggs lie under leaves or in the bark of trees. The larvae hatch three times during the summer season: in spring, early summer, and warm autumn. Aphids appear on home or greenhouse seedlings if:

• the soil and (or) seeds were not treated before sowing;
• seedlings are often watered, moisture accumulates around the roots;
• seedlings grow in a hot, damp room;
• night temperature is increased;
• an adult insect fell into the window with a flow of air.

In open ground, the spread of the parasite is facilitated by ants feeding on its sugary secretions.

Additional Information! During the winter, ants transfer pest eggs to anthills to protect the colony from destruction.

Signs of aphids

The main symptoms of seedling damage:

• suddenly, without objective reasons, the leaves dry up;
• the tops are deformed;
• a whitish sticky coating forms on the trunk and plates;
• curling, wilting of leaves;
• Small bugs crawl on the back of the leaves.

In open ground, in a greenhouse, the inflorescences of grown bushes dry out and fall off; Ants crawl in the root area and along the shoots.

How to recognize aphids on peppers

It is quite difficult to detect aphids on seedlings. Insects carefully hide, which makes it impossible to notice them with the naked eye. Only when the population increases too much can aphids be seen on the foliage.

However, detecting a problem at this stage often does not allow the seedlings to be saved. The leaf blades of an infected crop are often severely damaged.

The damage to pepper seedlings by aphids is indicated by:

• causeless drying of leaf plates;
• the appearance of a thick, sticky and shiny substance in the area of ​​the trunk and foliage;
• the presence of larvae and small crawling pests on the back side of the green mass.

When examining pepper seedlings, you need to arm yourself with a magnifying glass and sit close to the plants. Each leaf plate must be carefully folded back and the plants carefully inspected for the presence of aphids.

Advice! If pests are detected on peppers, it is recommended to begin treatment as soon as possible.

Peach greenhouse aphid

What are aphids

Aphids, family Aphididae, are a common plant parasite . Summer residents and gardeners know about the fertility of aphidids. Aphids live in colonies, reproduce and spread quickly. Parasitic insects are attracted to garden plots by food and the lack of preventive measures.

What types of aphids attack peppers?

The following varieties of aphids parasitize bell peppers : peach, nightshade and greenhouse aphids.

The peach (green) aphid chooses pepper as a food plant . In addition to peppers, this type of insect attacks melons, cabbage, lettuce, and some types of flowers, but it prefers peppers most of all. This small parasite infests the stem and lower part of the leaves, causing them to curl and wrinkle.

Nightshade (black) aphids are one of the smallest pests, measuring only 0.3 mm . Settles on the trunk of the plant, on the back of the leaves. These pests feed on plant sap. Young shoots of a succulent crop are attractive to them, so black aphids on pepper seedlings are a common occurrence.

These insects require amino acids and carbohydrates to survive . Sweet pepper is a juicy plant that contains these substances in abundance. During their life, aphidids secrete a sticky substance - honeydew, which attracts ants. Therefore, if aphids appear, then an anthill will definitely appear nearby.

This is a mutually beneficial neighborhood: ants protect colonies of aphidids from ladybugs and hoverflies , and they secrete honeydew in abundance. But the sweet solution that parasites secrete is not only a treat for ants, but also the basis for the development of fungal diseases.

About other pepper pests:

How to get rid of caterpillars on peppers

Slugs on peppers: how to detect and get rid of the problem

How to deal with spider mites

How to get rid of a pest

In cases of mass invasion of aphids, it is necessary to treat the seedlings with chemicals. Below you can find the most effective drugs that will help you quickly deal with pests.

Aphids have appeared on peppers - how to treat them? Agronomists most often use the drugs described below to control aphids on pepper seedlings.

Agravertine

Agravertin is an insectoacaricidal drug with contact-intestinal action. The main components of the chemical paralyze adult aphids and their larvae. The effect of the drug can last for 14-20 days.

The main component of Agravertine is the natural neurotoxin Avertin, which is not addictive to pests. The active components remain in the soil for only a couple of days, after which they break down into safe components.

Agravertine goes on sale in ampoules with a capacity of 5 and 10 ml. The contents of the ampoule are mixed with 1 liter of water. After this, the solution must be thoroughly mixed and the seedlings treated. It is recommended to use a fine spray for spraying.

Important! Treatment can be carried out only on those days when the air temperature is not lower than 18-20 °C.

Intavir

A broad-spectrum chemical helps to effectively combat homoptera, coleoptera, lepidoptera and other pests. Intavir has intestinal and contact effects. The presence of cypermethrin in the composition allows you to paralyze all organs of insects and have a destructive effect on their nervous system.

Chemicals

Even a novice gardener can fight aphids on pepper seedlings with the help of modern insecticides. The following drugs are most effective in combating aphids:

1. Spark. Quite a toxic insecticide. The solution diluted according to the instructions must be sprayed on the pepper. You can also use this treatment method for prevention.
2. Dichlorvos . It is dangerous for inflorescences and leaves because it contains substances that leave burns and lead to the death of the plant.
3. Fitosporin . A modern chemical repellent for aphids that has antibacterial and fungicidal effects. Protects not only from insect pests, but also from various diseases that they carry. Available in the form of suspension, powder and paste.
4. Cortleys . Systemically affects parasites and their larvae. The treatment effect lasts 21 days, then spraying must be repeated. The concentrate is diluted in water.
5. Intavir . Affects the nervous system of insects, as a result of which they die. Creates a protective film on the surface of plant tissues, which is poisonous to bugs. Available in the form of tablets and powder, which are diluted in water and used for spraying.
6. Commander . Effectively fights many insects and larvae. The active substance is resistant to sunlight and washing off with water, so it is used in open ground.
7. Copper sulfate . Available in the form of blue granules. First, a paste is prepared from them, which is then mixed well with a solution of water and potassium permanganate of a faint pink hue. It is used not only for spraying, it is used to treat the soil around the bushes.
8. Aktara . Apply 5 g of powder per 1 liter of water. It is widely used to combat the Colorado potato beetle, but is also effective against aphids.
9. Tanrek . Used in greenhouses and garden beds, it is able to overcome the barrier of plant tissues and accumulate in the soil.

Most insecticides today are absolutely safe for humans and animals that accidentally or intentionally eat the leaves and fruits of plants. However, when working with drugs, it is necessary to use protective equipment so that the active substances do not get on the mucous membranes and cause a burn.

What are the dangers of treating pepper seedlings with chemicals?

Treating pepper seedlings with chemicals is considered one of the most effective ways to control aphids. However, if you prepare the solution incorrectly, you can cause burns on the foliage. In this case, tiny plants may die. It is also worth considering the toxicity of chemicals, which can cause an allergic reaction in the gardener or poisoning.

Note! In order to destroy pests found on seedlings, it is better to use biological products or folk remedies that do not contain harmful substances.

Biological products

If aphids appear on pepper seedlings, do not worry. You can spray young bushes. Before you begin processing, you need to select a product. The most effective biological products are those listed below.

Aktofit

The insecticide allows you to quickly destroy various insects that eat young plants. The liquid has a specific odor and is colored yellow.

Actofit is not addictive, which is considered a significant advantage. To prepare the solution, thoroughly mix the contents of the bottle with water.

Important! It is necessary to follow the manufacturer's recommended dosage of the biological product.

Fitoverm

Fitoverm has an intestinal contact effect. After spraying the seedlings, the active components of the biological product penetrate the body of the pests, provoking the development of paralysis and further death. The rapid destruction of Fitoverm components in water and soil is considered a significant advantage.

The manufacturer does not recommend mixing the biological product with other agents. To prepare the solution, you will need to dilute 10 ml of the contents of the bottle in 1 liter of water. Processing of seedlings is carried out in 2 stages. Repeated spraying is carried out 10 days after the first treatment.

Akarin

Akarin is considered a biological insectoacaricide with contact-intestinal action. After treating young pepper bushes growing at home, the insects’ ability to digest and absorb nutrients is blocked.

5 hours after spraying, the aphids are paralyzed and soon die.

To prepare the solution, you will need to dilute 8 ml of solution in 1000 ml of water.

Fitoverm is a popular remedy for aphids

Folk methods of struggle

How to treat aphids on pepper seedlings? Below you can find the most popular folk remedies that will help destroy pests.

Laundry soap

Using laundry soap, you can prepare a solution that can be used to treat the affected pepper bushes. To do this you will need:

1. Grind a third of the laundry soap on a fine grater.
2. The resulting shavings must be transferred to a deep container and filled with 1000 ml of water.
3. 30-35 g of vegetable oil is poured into the mixture. After thoroughly mixing the components, the solution should be infused for 100-120 minutes.
4. After the specified period of time, you can strain the tincture and spray the affected green mass.

Important! Plants are treated daily for 4 days.

Ash

Having found aphids on peppers, you can spray the seedlings with an ash solution, to prepare which you will need to combine a couple of glasses of ash with 10 liters of water. 150 ml of soap solution is added to the liquid. Processing of young peppers should be carried out immediately after preparing the mixture.

Biological products

Biologically active preparations are the safest products to use, since they act precisely on a specific living organism and do not affect the beneficial crop.

Fitoverm

It acts comprehensively against two insects at once: aphids and ants. The active substance - aversectin C - when it enters the gastrointestinal tract of an insect, begins to act in a contact manner after 12 hours. Pests die in no more than three days.

Due to the mechanism of action, Fitoverm does not affect larvae.

Akarin

The mechanism of action of this drug is based on blocking the absorption of nutrients by the stomachs of insects. You should be careful when using it if there are bees or fish within reach. One treatment is enough at the rate of 6 ml per liter of water.

Boverin

Boverin was developed based on the culture of mushrooms of the same name. It is used exclusively for greenhouse plants, as its active temperature reaches 25 degrees. To spray pepper bushes, use a one percent solution. It also destroys mole crickets and Colorado potato beetles.

How to get rid of aphids in a greenhouse

If such a misfortune as the defeat of seedlings by aphids occurs in a greenhouse, do not be upset. You can use biological products that will help cope with pests and not harm fruiting.

Treatments will have to be carried out over 4-7 days, depending on the number of insects. However, as a reward for his efforts, the gardener will receive a good, and most importantly, environmentally friendly pepper harvest.

When growing peppers, it is important to systematically ventilate the room in which the pots with seedlings are located.

Biological methods

The most effective way to remove annoying aphids from an area with sweet peppers is to occupy its ecological niche with other insects.

Attracting Natural Enemies

In addition to insects, you can involve birds - sparrows and tits - in the work. Insects are their natural food in the wild. Birds do not eat ladybugs, which are also antagonists to aphids in the wild.

Use of repellent plants

An excellent solution would be to grow plants with a pungent insect-repelling odor:

• nasturtium;
• chamomile;
• onion;
• garlic;
• Linden;
• begonia;
• viburnum.

Preventive measures

It is much easier to prevent the appearance of aphids on peppers than to get rid of this scourge. Experts recommend for preventive purposes:

• Carefully inspect seedlings purchased at the market to ensure they are not affected by pests.
• When growing seedlings, it is necessary to systematically inspect the lower parts of the foliage in order to promptly detect pests and take measures to eliminate them. You can use a magnifying glass to make sure you don't miss the affected areas.
• Along the rows of pepper seedlings, it is necessary to plant onions and garlic, the aroma of which repels insects.
• In the room where young pepper bushes grow, it is recommended to maintain an optimal humidity level and temperature within 20 degrees.

The spread of aphids on pepper seedlings can cause the death of bushes or a decrease in yield. It is very important to promptly identify pests and take measures to combat them. There are many drugs that can be used to kill aphids. If desired, you should use folk remedies. The methods proposed in the article to combat aphids on pepper seedlings will help every gardener choose the most suitable option for himself.

Where and why does it appear?

Aphids overwinter in the ground or in last year's autumn leaves. If aphids damaged peppers last gardening season, you should not plant them in the same place this year, as there is a high risk of infecting new plants. Insect eggs overwinter in leaves or under tree bark.

As the weather gets warmer, females are born first, which will then give rise to a whole colony of aphids. Ants play a major role in the appearance of aphids. Since not all aphids have wings to move, ants help them. In return they receive food - honeydew.

Important! This symbiosis allows some to be constantly full, while others expand their habitat.

The main reason for the appearance of aphids on pepper seedlings is that young shoots are very attractive to pests, they are juicy and rich in nutritional components.

Harm

Although aphids are fairly small insects, they should not be underestimated; they can not only harm the plant, but also lead to its death. As mentioned earlier, they feed on the sap of the plant.

Along with the juice, the plant loses nutrients that are necessary for full development and growth. This leads to the fact that the pepper bushes become very weak, begin to wither, dry out, the yield decreases, and if the infection is severe, the plant dies.

In addition, aphids secrete a sweet, sticky substance called honeydew. The substance itself does not harm the bushes, but its presence on the leaves creates unfavorable conditions. Since it is very sticky, dirt and debris from pests accumulate on it.

It is honeydew that causes the development of black mold. The sweet substance attracts ants, who consume the nutritious and beneficial honeydew.

These insects are carriers of bacteria and various diseases, so in addition to the fact that the plant is greatly weakened and cannot fully develop, secondary diseases can also appear, which often lead to the death of the bush.

Reviews

Elena

I have aphids on my Belozerka pepper. I saw it too late and treated it with soapy water, but it didn’t help. They recommended Fitoverm, this is a very good remedy. The aphids have all disappeared. My neighbor also told me that she buries onion peels into the soil in the spring and aphids do not appear. I’ll probably try it too, it’s still better than poisoning plants with pesticides.

Rose, Moscow region

The soap may be good, but I didn’t see any effect from it. Perhaps modern pests are already accustomed to such poison for them and have adapted. In the store, the saleswoman showed me a whole bunch of different products, I chose Fury, and used it according to the instructions. I had aphids on peppers and bushes. I brought everything out. I was afraid that these parasites would plague me again in the new season, but surprisingly, there were no aphids. Although now I know how to remove this nasty thing right away.

Nikolai

I had a sea of ​​aphids, peppers grew in a greenhouse. Last year we sprayed tobacco and all the aphids came in. This summer, as soon as we saw it, we immediately added tobacco infusion and treated it. There was zero result, but there seemed to be even more insects. At the city indoor market, the garden department recommended Aktar, in powder. I diluted it in water, sprayed the peppers and grabbed some eggplants; I also noticed aphids on them on a couple of bushes. After treatment, all the aphids immediately fell off the bushes, and that’s it, they disappeared. This, I understand, is the effect.