Aphids on tomatoes often set off a destructive chain reaction that ruins the crop. With the help of these instructions, you can effectively stop the plague - without swinging the chemical club.
decipher causes
Fighting the aphids directly only works for a short time. It is important to investigate the causes. Only when the triggering factors have been eliminated will you get rid of the pests permanently. These general conditions magically attract aphids:
- a poorly ventilated location in the greenhouse
- cold drafts under the tomato roof or in the foil tunnel
- wrong dosage of fertilizer
- constantly moist foliage
- a partially shaded location
It is primarily young tomato plants that aphids target. The parasites make no difference whether the cultivation is in the greenhouse, in the bed or on the balcony. The larger, more vital and robust the tomato plant, the more likely it is to be spared the aphids.
Control aphids biologically
If you have discovered the tiny green, brown or black aphids, the following biological sprays will help:
- Milk-water mix in a ratio of 1:1
- Vinegar water made from 1 liter of water and 1 tablespoon of vinegar
- Nettle broth made from 10 liters of water and 1 kilogram of nettle leaves
- Tobacco brew consisting of loose tobacco dissolved in water
These home remedies are applied as often as necessary until the infestation pressure subsides or has completely disappeared. If at the same time there is a threat of infection with brown rot, then the foliage should not be moistened. In this case, alternatives are available.
Use rock flour to combat lice on tomatoes
Ground sedimentary rock from the Jurassic formation is widely used in organic farming. It turned out that lice on tomatoes can be combated excellently with the fine powder. Repeatedly applied with the help of a powder spray in the cheerful morning hours, you will quickly have the plague under control. You can achieve a similar effect with algae lime and pure charcoal ash.
tips and tricks
To combat aphids in the greenhouse, get help from their natural predators. In specialist shops you can get lacewing larvae, two-spot ladybirds and parasitic wasps (€22.99) that like to eat lice on tomatoes.