How to fight aphids on currants with chemical and folk remedies, processing rules

Currant is a berry that grows in many countries. Healthy fruits are tasty and suitable for canning. In the process of growing shrubs, gardeners encounter insect pests. The size of the insects is small, which does not prevent them from forming entire colonies, damaging the bush. Therefore, for summer residents, the question of how to deal with aphids on currants plays a special role.

Types of pests

Aphids are small insects that feed on the sap of plants growing in the garden. Summer residents grow a lot of vegetables and fruits, so there are many types of aphids. Some beetles feed exclusively on a specific plant, while others have adapted to infecting multiple types of crops. The appearance of aphids is observed in early spring with the blossoming of young leaves.

Gall aphid

The body length of the parasite does not exceed 2.5 mm. Found on white, red and black currants. It is the causative agent of viral infections that enter the plant through insect bites. As a result, abnormal growths called galls form on the leaves.

Gooseberry

It lays eggs that easily survive the winter at the base of the buds. The appearance of larvae occurs in April. Sucking the juice from the buds, they gradually move to green shoots and petioles of newly blossoming leaves.

Winged individuals are found in spring and autumn. Summer is a favorable period for distribution. They look for plants with young shoots, settling on their tops. Gooseberry aphids parasitize all types of currants.

Pobegovaya

You can identify the insect by the shape of the leaves of the plant. They curl up, becoming like a cocoon. Aphids use them as protection against insects that catch bugs.By unfolding the leaf, you can see a large number of aphids along with ants.

Red gall

After the larvae hatch from the eggs, they colonize the lower part of the leaves. In places where insects accumulate, the leaves grow and become covered with swellings. Later they acquire a reddish tint.

The main signs of bush damage

It is very easy to recognize that aphids are eating currants. There are small bugs on the branches, roots of leaves and their lower parts. Bushes often have curled leaves filled with insects inside.

Inspecting the currants every day, you can notice the appearance of ants climbing the branches.

If the number of aphid-affected areas increases, the fruits become smaller and fall off before reaching maturity.

Why are insects dangerous for currants?

With the first signs of aphid damage to the bushes, it is necessary to start fighting. The insect feeds on plant sap, helping to stop the growth of new shoots. Gradually, the infected crop weakens and dies.

Not only red currants, but also other species are at risk. Colonies working with black ants pose the greatest danger. They accelerate the death of the plant by transferring aphids to other parts of the greenery.

What is the connection between ants and aphids?

Ants protect aphids from insect enemies that destroy them. They also transfer aphids to other plants, providing them with food. In turn, the aphids secrete a sticky, sweet liquid and leave it on the leaves, which the ants feed on. This feature is characteristic of white, red, green, black and other types of aphids.

Ways to combat aphid and ant infestations

To save currant bushes from aphid invasion, they begin to fight in the spring. Depending on the degree of crop damage, insect control measures are developed.If there are only a few aphids, traditional medicine will help.

More aggressive methods are used against large infestations of parasites. If an aphid attack has led to the appearance of new colonies, chemical preparations are used. These are fungicides and insecticides.

Folk remedies

To prepare solutions that are sprayed onto the culture, different products are used. Most are always at hand. Some can be purchased at the pharmacy, as they are freely available. These are drugs familiar to every person from early childhood.

Ammonia

The product not only helps to defeat aphids on currants, but also saturates the bushes with nitrogen. Their growth is accelerated, berries are formed and damage caused by aphid parasitism is healed. The baiting recipe is easy to prepare at home.

55 ml of ammonia is dissolved in 12 liters of water. Before spraying, add a pinch of washing powder. Instead of a processing apparatus, you can use a watering can with a wide tip. Insect poisoning occurs only once on one bush. The second treatment procedure is carried out after 2 weeks. Frequent spraying is prohibited as it leads to excess nitrogen. The destruction of aphids with ammonia occurs in the first 3 days after spraying.

Vinegar

You can rid bushes of small bugs with another remedy that is always present in the kitchen of any housewife. Vinegar is a liquid that helps fight aphids regardless of the currant growing season. Suitable for spraying bushes on which berries are ripening. You will need 25 ml of vinegar per bucket of water. The liquid is effective for 1.5 weeks depending on the weather. The sour smell and aroma of vinegar drives away insects.

Soda

As a result of mixing the powder and water, a solution is obtained that is used for spraying. Experienced gardeners advise replacing regular soda with soda ash. Iodine is added as an additional agent.

Ash

In ancient times, there were no drugs on the market to combat plant diseases. For this purpose, improvised means were used. Ash was considered one of the most effective. It is still used in agriculture. The ash is scattered over the currant bushes, as well as the soil. A solution is prepared on its basis. Ash allows you to completely get rid of aphids in 4-5 treatments.

Tobacco

Spraying with a tobacco-based liquid is carried out three times per season:

• before the buds appear;
• after flowering;
• at the moment of ripening of berries.

Tobacco, like ash, can be used undiluted. In order not to prepare solutions, the plant is planted nearby shrubs. The culture requires constant care, but thanks people by repelling aphids and other pests.

Soap

Preparing recipes using simple products involves adding soap. Thanks to it, parts of the plant are covered with a protective film, making it difficult for aphids to feed and hindering movement. For spraying, a soap solution prepared in water is useful. This can be grated laundry soap or liquid soap.

The usual one is replaced by tar. Eliminates aphids on currant branches and also helps the plant recover faster. It is known that birch tar is a substance with medicinal properties.

Mustard

The spice is valuable in the fight against aphids due to its pungent odor and bitter taste. To prepare the solution, mustard powder is useful. For a bucket of water you will need 10 tbsp. l. mustard.

Garlic

Garlic tincture gives good results.In order for the liquid to acquire a rich bitter taste, the raw materials are initially crushed. After infusion, it is filtered and used as a spray. Garlic can increase the protective properties of the plant's immune system.

Serum

The dairy product is used in its pure form without prior preparation. Repels insects with a sour and pungent odor. To quickly kill parasites, spraying is carried out every 3 days. For preventive purposes, 1 procedure per week is sufficient.

Vodka

The features of preparation and use are the same as serums. When spraying a plant with vodka, special attention is paid to the back side of the leaves. You can get rid of shoot aphids by dousing the branches.

Potassium permangantsovka

When preparing the solution, it is recommended to strictly adhere to the dosage. If you overdo it with potassium permanganate, you can destroy the plant. The drug is diluted in 1 liter of water so that the liquid has a rich color. The solution is then poured into a bucket of water, after which it is ready for spraying.

Celandine

Fresh grass is crushed and 12 liters of water are poured. The mixture is left to infuse for at least a day. Strain before use.

Infusion of potato leaves and tops

Fresh raw materials, pre-cut with a knife, will come in handy. This will speed up the release of the juice and its mixing with water. The container with the mass is placed on the fire and brought to a boil. The liquid can be stored in a cool place and the required amount can be diluted with water before use.

Infusion of marigolds

Most effective against gall aphids. The collected marigolds are filled with water and infused for several days. The solution should be saturated with a pungent odor. For ease of use, it is filtered.

Pharmaceutical chamomile

It is prepared like any herbal remedy. The raw materials are filled with water and infused. The concentrated decoction is diluted with water and used as a spray.

Ammonia

The product purchased at the pharmacy kiosk fights the invasion of aphids on currant bushes. If there are few insects, open jars are placed throughout the garden. To remove entire colonies, a solution is prepared.

Fumigation

The procedure is performed during the period of kidney swelling. Aromatic herbs are used as raw materials for smoldering. It can also be cut tree branches.

Orange peels

The peel that remains after eating oranges is not in a hurry to throw away. The more bitterness in the crusts, the better the result will be. The solution is prepared in the standard way - by infusing the raw material in water and straining before use.

Manual removal

It is considered the easiest way to combat aphids. The bugs are washed off with water from a hose. Most insects die under running water during treatment. The procedure is useful if there are few aphids on the bushes.

Individuals are destroyed by hand. The person is recommended to wear medical gloves.

Trimming

Another event that does not involve the use of pre-prepared solutions. Affected branches are pruned using pruning shears. Curled leaves are also torn off. The cut parts of the bushes are removed from the site and set on fire.

Biological products and chemicals

You can remove signs of aphid damage to plants using chemicals. But use is limited during certain growing seasons. Insecticides are approved for spraying in early spring before flowers appear. Toxic substances that enter the currant tissue during processing remain there for up to a month.

Aphids are also removed using biological products.They act much more slowly, but are not as aggressive as chemicals. They are based on waste products of microorganisms that have the ability to destroy aphids. They are not harmful to the human body, but are not recommended for use before harvest.

When and how to treat

The choice of spraying agent is one of the important stages in the fight against bugs. To get rid of insects, you need to know plant processing technology, terms and rules. Failure to follow the recommendations can destroy not only the harvest, but also the plant itself.

Technology and rules

The gardener should familiarize himself with the following nuances:

1. Spraying is carried out on calm days.
2. In the evening or morning.
3. Young shoots are completely immersed in a container with solution.
4. Healthy branches on an infected bush are also subject to treatment.
5. The lower part of the leaves is washed by hand.

The currants are processed evenly. Particular attention is paid to the middle of the bush. There should be no untreated space left on the plant.

Deadlines

The minimum number of treatments is 4 times. In summer, spraying is repeated after precipitation. As a rule, this is June. Before the green fruits form, chemicals are used. Over the course of a month, the poison will be gradually removed from the culture. Chemicals are also allowed in the fall. Spraying after harvest helps destroy eggs laid by aphids to infest the next season.

If there are already berries on the branches, traditional medicine is used. They will not cause harm to the human body during the maturation period. Vinegar, whey, vodka, herbal infusions are what is allowed during currant fruiting.

Tips for prevention

Protecting currant bushes from aphids is easier than trying to get rid of an insect infestation. To do this, gardeners use simple but effective methods. A person must take care to protect the crop throughout the growing season.

Plants that repel aphids

Plantings that emit a rich aroma repel aphids. Due to the smell, the insect cannot live and reproduce in the area, so it leaves it. Suitable plants include lavender, marigold, mint, coriander and garlic.

"Nitrafen"

The drug is a rich brown paste. Characterized by complex action. It is used in early spring to destroy aphid eggs, from which insects emerge with the onset of summer.

Weeding

There should be no weeds in the area where fruit bushes and trees grow. They become a good hiding place for insects. During the entire growing and fruiting season of currants, they are removed.

Timely and proper care

It consists of simple actions that people often underestimate. This includes watering, weeding and inspecting the bushes. You should also take care of the vicinity of the currants.

Pouring boiling water

To avoid the appearance of aphids and their spread, it is recommended to deal with ants first. If there are anthills in the garden, urgent measures are taken to destroy them. To do this, just water the soil under the bushes with boiling water.

The gardener has every chance to avoid infesting currants with aphids. Doing this is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. To do this, you need to devote time to basic bush care. When the first signs of insects appear, treat.