A root mite is a small creature that can cause irreparable harm to plants. It prefers to feed on plants of the bulbous family, but other representatives of the flora should be wary of it. A root such as an onion is the best treat for them. These pests live in the ground, so they are not easy to detect. While in the soil, they gradually damage the bulb or roots of another species. The plant begins to die slowly.
Where do root mites come from?
Root mites outwardly look like small spiders, which have three pairs of legs, thin antennae and a body of a barely noticeable light shade. The appearance of a tick in a pot with a houseplant is a common problem. There are three main reasons why such an unexpected guest appears.
1. This pest prefers to settle in warm and constantly moist soil. If the soil moisture is exceeded, and the temperature in the soil reaches twenty degrees, then for the tick it is just a heavenly place to live. It is in such conditions that they most often appear.
2. The second common reason for the appearance of ticks is the presence of a sick indoor plant in the room. Experienced growers know that such flowers need to be isolated from healthy ones. They need urgent treatment, as they can easily transmit their problem to other indoor plants. Usually they are transferred to another room during the treatment. If healthy and diseased indoor plants were close to each other, then root mites will soon settle in all flower pots.
3. But the easiest way to get a root mite is to buy it together with an indoor flower in a store. After all, this parasite cannot be seen on the surface, since it is located directly on the roots of the plant. And when buying, it is impossible to inspect the condition of the root system of the flower. Unfortunately, this is the most common reason.
How to find a root mite
If one of the indoor plants is sick (for example, leaves wither or dry, growth slows down), then you need to check it for the presence of a root mite. To do this, the plant is carefully removed from the flower pot together with the earth and the root system is carefully examined. If it is a bulbous plant, then lightly press on the bulb. When a tick is in the middle of the bulb, when you press on it, the fruits of its labor (something resembling dust) will sprinkle from the inside. Upon closer examination, in the root system, you can see not only the ticks themselves, but also many larvae and laid eggs.
Tick control and prevention methods
The bulbs of the future plants must be stored in the correct conditions prior to planting. Choose a storage room that is cool but dry. During planting, you need to carefully inspect each bulb again and get rid of spoiled and damaged materials.
If already mature indoor plants are sick, you can try to save them with the help of special treatment and antimicrobial drugs. To do this, you need to pull the plant out of the pot, shake off the soil from the roots, and then rinse the root system or bulbs well.After that, the plant must be placed in a container with a special solution of chemical or biological origin. Flower pots must be washed and boiled for fifteen minutes, and then also kept for some time in a solution that destroys harmful insects.
For prophylaxis in the fight against a tick, heed the advice:
- When planting indoor plants, do not forget to lay drainage at the bottom of the pot.
- Excess water when watering will only do harm.
- The tray in the flower pot must not be filled with water.
Do not create favorable conditions for pests and nothing will threaten your flower garden.
