How to process eggplant from aphids

Aphids on eggplant can lead to the loss of a significant part of the crop and even to the death of the bush. Pests are prolific, can fly from place to place. At the same time, they affect not only adult plants, but also seedlings. Insects lay their eggs in the soil, so before sowing seeds, it is necessary to thoroughly disinfect the soil. If the invasion could not be avoided, it will be necessary to carry out 1-2 treatments with chemicals or 3-5 sprays with folk remedies.

Signs of defeat

Different types of pests can settle on eggplants, but most often it is green peach and melon aphids, which are also called cotton aphids. The body of the pest is small, usually 2-3 mm in diameter, rarely 5-7 mm. The shape is oval, reminiscent of a hemisphere or ellipse, sometimes oblong. The color is very diverse: green, beige, brown, black.

Aphids on eggplant can be seen with the naked eye. Also, make sure that it actually appears by other signs:

• white coating on eggplant;
• slime with a sweetish taste is visible on the surface – this is honeydew (pad), which is secreted by aphids and some other pests);
• leaves curl, begin to turn yellow;
• brown spots appear on the surface of the tops;
• flowers and ovaries begin to fade, fall off;
• bushes lag behind in development;
• fruits are formed much less;
• near the landings there is a large accumulation of ants.

Causes of appearance

Eggplants and many other crops are often eaten by aphids. This pest is ubiquitous, including in Our Country. It is impossible to completely get rid of it. It is useful to know about several reasons that can provoke the appearance of insects:

• consistently high temperature (especially when grown in a greenhouse);
• high humidity;
• the presence of anthills near the site;
• initially contaminated soil (for example, when buying seedlings from unreliable sellers);
• violation of the rules of care (including watering, fertilizing).

Pests lay their eggs in the soil, and if the soil is not sterilized, this phenomenon is not excluded. Therefore, before planting, it is imperative to disinfect the soil mixture.

Eggplant leaves affected by aphids

What harm does it cause to seedlings and an adult plant

Aphids cause significant damage to all cultivated plants, including eggplants. Pests are prolific, spread quickly both in the greenhouse and in the open field. They feed on plant juices – water with dissolved substances.

As a result, the bush loses moisture and useful elements, begins to dry out. Seedlings practically stop growing, take root poorly after transplanting to the garden. In adult eggplants, fewer fruits are tied, which will inevitably affect the yield.

Another danger of aphids is associated with the appearance of black mold. This is a fungal infection caused by microscopic fungi. They parasitize eggplants and can lead to the death of bushes.

How to get rid of aphids on eggplant

It is quite possible to destroy an aphid colony on eggplants or significantly reduce its numbers. The sooner you start the fight, the faster you can achieve the desired result. To do this, 1-2 treatments are carried out using folk remedies or chemicals. Biological methods are also used.

You can destroy a colony of parasites with infusions, decoctions and special preparations.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies will help to cope with aphids on seedlings and adult eggplants. They are effective in the early stages of the invasion, when there are not so many pests, and also as a preventive measure. Experienced gardeners recommend using the following recipes:

1. Buy classic (72%) laundry or tar soap, grind on a grater and prepare a solution by taking 5 tablespoons of chips per 10 liters of water. Initially, it can be dissolved in a small volume of hot liquid, then brought to the required amount. Totally process plantings from aphids.
2. You can also destroy aphids on eggplant seedlings with the help of infusion of garlic (2 heads) and onions (1 root crop). They are crushed, insisted in 1 liter, add 1 tablespoon of laundry soap shavings, mix until completely dissolved. Eggplants are completely processed so that the liquid gets on both sides of the sheets.
3. Regular table vinegar with a concentration of 9% helps to cope with aphids. Take 200 ml and dissolve in a bucket of 10 liters, carry out several treatments with an interval of 3-5 days.
4. Also, a solution of pharmacy ammonia will help to cope with aphids – just take 10 ml per 10 liters. You can add 5 tablespoons of shavings of household or tar soap.
5. If an aphid attacked eggplant seedlings, an infusion of hot chili pepper will help to destroy the pest. 100 g of crushed fruits are infused for 2-3 days in a small volume, brought to 10 liters and several sprays are carried out.
6. Also, aphids are afraid of herbal infusions of celandine, wormwood, dandelions. It will take 600-800 g per 10 liters. The liquid is kept for three days, laundry soap shavings are added and several sprays are carried out.
7. Aphids do not tolerate decoctions from tomato or potato tops. 1 kg of raw material is added to 10 liters of water. Cook for 30 minutes. Insist for several hours, then diluted with water twice and proceed to processing.
8. Aphids die from the infusion of tobacco dust: 200 g per 10 liters (hold for a day). Then you need to strain and spray the eggplant several times.
9. You can also destroy aphids with an infusion of wood ash, which is prepared in the same way as in the previous case (200 g per 10 l).
10. Aphids die from the infusion of mustard powder (2 tablespoons per 10 liters).

Folk remedies are not as effective as chemical drugs, but they are safer. During the season, it is necessary to carry out at least three treatments with an interval of 3-5 days. If the aphids do not disappear, it is recommended to use special insecticides.

Chemicals

The most effective means of controlling aphids on eggplant seedlings are chemicals, for example:

1. “Aktara” – one ampoule is dissolved in 10 liters and two sprayings are carried out with a break of seven days.

   

2. “Karbofos” – 15 g per 1 liter, two sprays with an interval of 7-10 days.

   

3. “Inta-Vir” – a synthetic analogue of the plant poison of tansy flowers, chrysanthemums and other crops, is used for two treatments with the same frequency.

   

4. “Akarin” from aphids is diluted in a proportion of 5 ml per 10 liters. Spend 1-2 sprays.

   

5. “Kortlis” – the drug is dissolved in water and one spraying of eggplants from aphids is done. The period of protective action is up to three weeks. Particularly effective in open ground.
6. “Tanrek” – a systemic drug that destroys both adult aphids and its larvae; to achieve the result, it is enough to do 1-2 eggplant treatments.

Spraying with drugs is carried out in the late evening or early morning. If eggplant is grown in open ground, processing is planned only in dry and calm weather. Rain washes away the remaining solution, so the procedure is ineffective.

This is important to consider when planning chemical treatments.

Biological methods of struggle

You can also remove aphids on eggplant using biological methods. The natural enemies of the pest are beneficial insects: wasps, lacewings, ladybugs, hover flies.

To attract them to the garden, it is necessary to plant nettles, green manure (for example, alfalfa, mustard, clover) and fragrant herbs and flowers: dill, coriander, cumin, mint, marigolds, lavender, thyme, parsley and others.

Also, aphids on eggplant and other plants are destroyed by birds. But it is dangerous to attract them to the garden, because they also feed on berries, drupes, and other juicy fruits.

Aphids are good food for ladybugs

Almost always, the appearance of pests on eggplants and other plants is evidenced by the activation of ants. They can be seen on the paths next to the beds, greenhouse, secluded places. Aphids and ants cooperate mutually and promote the growth of each other’s colonies. Therefore, the fight should be waged with both those and other insects.

You can also transfer it with a shovel to a cart and take it away into the forest.

Preventive measures

Getting rid of aphids on seedlings and adult eggplant bushes is not so easy. Therefore, it is recommended to prevent the invasion of the pest in advance using the following methods:

1. In the fall, you need to put things in order, especially in the greenhouse. Plant residues are removed, carried away and burned, the soil is dug up. The surfaces of the greenhouse are washed and disinfected with potassium permanganate or other antiseptic.
2. When preparing the soil for growing eggplant seedlings, it is watered with a 1% solution of potassium permanganate or kept for several days in the freezer.
3. Seedlings and soil should be purchased only from trusted suppliers.
4. After transplanting eggplant seedlings, treat it once with any insecticide.
5. Ventilate the greenhouse regularly, especially in hot weather and after watering.

Conclusion

Aphids on eggplants are very dangerous, because because of them you can lose almost the entire crop. The pest quickly spreads to different plantings, can capture the entire greenhouse and garden. When the first signs appear, it is necessary to carry out treatment with folk remedies. And if they did not help, immediately spray with a chemical preparation.