Reasons for the appearance of woodlice in a greenhouse
Warmth and high humidity, of course, make greenhouses an attractive place of residence for woodlice, but if the number of pests is growing rapidly, then this may be accompanied by several other reasons:
Woodlice in a greenhouse.
- poor air circulation in the greenhouse and lack of regular ventilation;
- the presence of plant debris or rotten boards inside the greenhouse;
- excessive watering of beds;
- a large number of weeds in the greenhouse;
- high level of humidity inside the structure.
Mechanical impact and agrotechnical measures
Work on removing the weed should begin in early spring, when the soil has just thawed and the growing season has not begun for the plant.
Stages of mechanical impact:
- digging and loosening the soil while simultaneously removing weed roots and plant residues;
- primary weeding of emerging sprouts or, if possible, loosening with removal of roots;
- later during the season, weeding should be carried out regularly as new shoots appear, using a narrow spatula or a special tool to remove roots;
- After harvesting, dig up the soil, remove all small roots, otherwise in the spring they will take root and sprout again.
It is recommended to dig with a pitchfork to reduce damage to the roots, particles of which remain in the ground.
After each weeding, all plant debris must be removed, otherwise it will be difficult to get rid of woodlice in the garden - any remaining root or stem will give rise to a new plant. It is not recommended to put woodlice into compost - the tenacious seeds will not lose their germination during its preparation.
Of course, weeding and manual cultivation of the beds is physically expensive work, but its annual implementation will lead to almost complete removal of the weed. In the future, it will be necessary to avoid getting plant residues with woodlice seeds into the soil (on the soil).
How to reduce soil acidity
Regular mechanical action combined with a decrease in acidity can give very good results.
One of the most effective ways to reduce acidity is to add lime. It is best to apply it when digging up the site in the fall after harvesting. The amount of lime depends on the acidity level of the soil - add 60 kg per hundred square meters to very acidic soil, 45 kg to moderately acidic soil, and 30 kg to slightly acidic soil.
Adding slaked lime during spring digging also gives good results - 50-150 g per 1 m². Slaked lime is prepared by adding water to lime.
To reduce acidity, it is convenient to use dolomite flour immediately before planting - it is not capable of burning the roots and stems, like lime. The norm per 1 m² for acidic soil is 500-600 g, medium acidic soil is 400-500 g, slightly acidic soil is 300-400 g.
Important!
The acidity of the soil is restored over time, so deacidification must be carried out every year.
Mulching
Mulching is blocking the access of light to weeds (and not only) plants. In the dark, the process of photosynthesis stops, which leads to the death of not only the above-ground part, but also the roots. Any material that does not transmit light is suitable as mulch: roofing felt, black film, boards, old linoleum, agrofibre.
You can use a coating of organic matter, for example, grass, leaves, hay, spreading it in a layer of 10 cm. In this case, when overheated, it will also serve as a source of nutrients.
This method requires a long time - from an area covered in the spring, the covering can only be removed the following summer.
Mulching can be carried out partially by pouring a layer of mulch around the plant or cutting holes for it in the film - the cultivated plant will receive both nutrition and the necessary lighting.
What is the danger of woodlice appearing in a greenhouse?
If a large colony of pests has settled inside the greenhouse, then after some time the damage caused to the beds will be visible to the naked eye. These small pests can cause the following problems:
- disruption of air circulation in the root system;
Woodlice are pests of roots and fruits.
- damage to root crops, vegetables and fruits;
- harming young seedlings and green parts of plants;
- infection of plants with various fungal and bacterial infections.
Classification of parasites
Several dozen species of woodlice are found in Russia. Of these, only 2 varieties can be found within the apartment. This:
- armadillo woodlouse;
- rough.
For these insects, human housing is not the most suitable place to live. That is why only the most unpretentious representatives can exist here. Scientists say that our country has already developed its own unique species of these creatures. Each of them has its own distinctive features that set them apart from other crustaceans.
Everything is quite simple: there is excessive humidity - wood lice appear in the apartment. It is not difficult to understand how to get rid of them, because there are many available methods. But the first priority is still the elimination of the factor contributing to their spread.
Armadillo (Armadillidium vulgare)
This type is most widespread and is considered the most famous. Its characteristic feature is the presence of a high shell and a dark body color. This parasite can be found quite rarely in apartments. He prefers to live in a damp cellar, basement, and heating mains. In villages and cities it is found in gardens, along roadsides and wastelands. To detect it, just lift a stone or any other object located on the ground.
This species feeds on living and decaying plants. Its presence in front gardens and vegetable gardens can cause significant damage to plantings. On the other hand, they prefer weeds rather than cultivated species. The armadillo has a miniature size and moves slowly. When trying to catch it, the insect curls up into a ball. This species, quite by accident, during one shipment, came from Europe to the United States, where it spread on a catastrophic scale. Now in California there are places where you can find over 10,000 individuals per square meter.
Rough (Porcellio scaber)
This type is most often found in residential premises. Such insects are quite mobile, compared to the armadillo, they run much faster. It costs them nothing to move between floors of apartment buildings and enter old attics, sometimes in whole hordes. If the roof of a building is leaking and no one is in a hurry to fix it, most likely, parasites will soon arrive here.
Professional exterminators know well how to get rid of woodlice quickly. But often home owners decide to deal with uninvited guests on their own.
This species got its name because of the rough surface that can be felt when an individual is caught. In any danger, she does not curl up into a ball, but arches her body and simultaneously moves her ten legs in order to quickly escape. Its shell is quite flat and soft. It may vary in color. There are representatives with black, reddish and white colors, with an inconspicuous pink tint. Individuals with a dark body shade are found mainly when moving towards the east. Once introduced into an apartment, this species can become a potential pest, especially if it gets into a pantry where fruits and vegetables are stored.
How to get rid of woodlice in a greenhouse
Woodlice quite often become a problem for humans and there are many effective methods and means to combat them. Among them there are a huge number of different chemical preparations and folk recipes.
Chemicals for woodlice control
The range of insecticides on the modern market is huge. The most effective and popular means among them are:
- Thunder and Thunder-2;
- Ideal;
- Aktara;
- Mesurol.
Folk remedies against woodlice
Many people do not want to treat their beds with chemicals and prefer natural products. Among the many folk recipes, the most effective and proven are:
Saw woodlice
Not really
- Sprinkling salt in areas where woodlice are most concentrated;
- treatment of row spacing in a greenhouse with tincture of powdered kvass;
- spraying the soil with a solution of tobacco, soda or ground red pepper;
- treatment of pest habitats with a solution of boric acid;
- placement of bait near the beds in the form of wet birch brooms or raw potatoes.
Description of the pest
Woodlice have a chitinous shell of grayish tints, divided into several plates. Fast movement is ensured by seven pairs of legs, the last of which serves as a support and a means of protection from enemies. The elongated whiskers allow the crustacean to navigate in space. Small eyes are located in the front of the body on the sides.
When danger arises, the individual curls into a ball and freezes, pretending to be dead. Woodlice lead an evening and nocturnal lifestyle, and during the day they hide under leaves, stones and other suitable shelters.
The crustaceans calmly survive drought, thanks to special air cavities similar to the trachea, replacing gill breathing. Individuals live on average 9-12 months.
Preventing the appearance of woodlice in the greenhouse
To prevent the appearance of woodlice and any other small pests in the greenhouse, you should adhere to correct agricultural practices and several useful recommendations:
- Every year in autumn, clean the greenhouse from tops, weeds and other plant debris;
- the cleaned soil should be poured with boiling water;
- periodically carry out preventive spraying with insecticides;
- regularly ventilate the greenhouse;
- disinfect the greenhouse frame with bleach every year;
- ensure rational watering of the beds to avoid waterlogging.
Chemicals
If you cannot cope with harmful crustaceans using simple methods, you can use contact-intestinal chemicals.
Granules "Thunderstorm"
Anti-slug insecticide based on metaldehyde, also effective for killing woodlice. The consumption of the product is 5-6 g per area of 10 square meters. m.
Granules are scattered in the spring around seedlings planted in the ground. The insecticide is left on the ground for up to two weeks and then collected and burned. You can repeat the procedure 2-3 times per season. Analogues of the drug are Chinese “Metaldehyde” and Swiss “Meta”.
The drug should not come into contact with edible plant foliage, as it can cause poisoning in humans if consumed.
Means "Ulitsid"
Consists of a mixture of grains, mustard, wood ash, black pepper, sugar, salt and hops. The main active ingredient is iron phosphate, which causes dehydration in pests and is completely processed by microorganisms in the soil.
The advantage of the composition lies in its safety for the environment and human health. The unpleasant smell of the mixture also prevents it from being eaten by animals. The granules are resistant to precipitation and are highly effective. The drug is scattered between rows at a rate of 3-5 g per 1 square meter. m. One treatment per season is enough.
Insecticide "Fozalon"
Effectively destroys crustaceans in 48 hours due to high toxicity and long-term protective effect (15-30 days). It can work even at low temperatures (10-12 °C). The product does not cause burns on plant leaves.
"Fozalon" is suitable for processing citrus, industrial, fruit and grain crops. Vegetable plants can only be protected if they are grown for seeds. Berry bushes are sprayed before the flowering period or after the end of the harvest.
The drug "Fozalon" should not be combined with alkaline agents.
The working solution is prepared at the rate of 5 ml of 35% emulsion per 5 liters of water. The treatment is carried out in calm, cloudy weather. Plants are protected during their growing season, 1-2 times, in the morning or evening.
When spraying, you must use protective clothing, a respirator and gloves.
Feedback on solving the problem
Woodlice feed on rotting leaves and wood, creating humus. They are useful. Like earthworms, woodlice make burrows in the ground. This means the soil breathes. Woodlice can be a nuisance if there is no food other than decaying plant debris for them. So, you just need to feed them. This is mulch, grass clippings...
Faith
https://7dach.ru/streltzova/kak-borotsya-s-mokricami-na-dachnom-uchastke-58394.html
Treat with a contact preparation, such as Actellica. If you have a lot of woodlice, that means there are a lot of hiding places. Conduct an audit of everything that lies on your soil. Good luck.
Orestes
https://7dach.ru/streltzova/kak-borotsya-s-mokricami-na-dachnom-uchastke-58394.html
I collected under the boards, although it’s such a disgusting thing, brr
Southerner
https://forum.prihoz.ru/viewtopic.php?t=3510
Woodlice are very unpleasant creatures, which, if they spread en masse on a site, can destroy part of the crop. Therefore, it is necessary to fight them, although you should not immediately rush for powerful means.
Source of the article: https://dacha.help/zelen-i-travy/kak-izbavitsya-ot-mokric-na-uchastke
Preventive measures
You already know where woodlice come from in the bathroom and what attracts them. Disturbed microclimate of the room, lack of cleaning and light are three reasons for living next to them. Therefore, we must begin to destroy them by eliminating favorable conditions for them.
Cleaning
Throw away old sponges, napkins, mats, and trash. Wipe down all surfaces, including walls, under sinks, bathtubs, and the bathroom fixtures themselves. It is better to do this with some detergent. It is not necessary to repeat this cleaning every day. Once a week or a little less often is enough.
Dry the bathroom and keep it in that condition. After using the shower or sink, wipe up spills on the floor, wall, and surrounding objects. Try to follow this rule at least once a day. Check all pipes for damage and replace leaking areas. The slightest leak will delay the process for a long time.
Access limitation
How to remove woodlice from the bathroom and toilet so that they do not appear again? One of the most effective means is to seal all the cracks and cover the ventilation with a fine mesh. Fix any leaks and inspect the floor and walls for cracks. If there are any, seal them with silicone sealant. Also close the gaps between the bathtub, sink and wall. Gaps in water pipes can be sealed with alabaster or foam. Perhaps the source of the invasion is not in your apartment. Inspect the ventilation mesh - are there any holes in it?
Creating a favorable microclimate
Leave the bathroom door open and ventilate the apartment after each water procedure or at night. Check if the ventilation is working well. This can be done using a paper strip. Open the windows and door, hold the leaf to the hood. If it sticks to the hole, then everything is fine. Having a heated towel rail or heater on helps a lot - their heat will dry the water faster. If possible, avoid drying large amounts of clothing indoors.
Damage caused
The biggest danger greenhouse plants face is becoming a food source for woodlice infestations. By eating the roots of young shoots, they destroy the root system and the plant itself. Both leaves and all seedlings may be damaged. At the same time, soil compaction occurs, which prevents the supply of sufficient oxygen.
If the plant dies without visible signs of disease, it is worth loosening the soil around it and checking for pests. Also, checking in the dark will immediately reveal nocturnal eaters of young seedlings. Woodlice reproduce very quickly, and the greater their number, the more food they need, which means more and more shoots will die day by day. The measure will have to be taken urgently to preserve the harvest.
