- Description of the substance acaricide
- What is the classification of acaricides?
- Bromine preparations
- Heterocycles with nitrogen
- Insectoacaricides
- Sulfur-containing drugs
- Pyrethroids
- How it works and how it penetrates
- Duration of effect
- How often to apply
- What is the environmental resistance?
- How do they affect the environment, people and pets?
- Rules for the use of acaricides
- Top 7 drugs
- Oberon
- Milbiol
- Acaril
- Akarosan
- Apollo
- Sanmite
- Masai
Pests cause many problems for farmers and significantly reduce crop yields. Therefore, specialized treatments are necessary to combat them. Home remedies are not always effective in controlling pests. In such situations, chemicals are often used. Acaricides are powerful products that effectively control mites and other pests.
Description of the substance acaricide
Acaricidal agents can be chemical or biological. Their primary purpose is to kill ticks. However, they also control other insects. Acaricides contain poisons that protect plants and people from ticks, killing them, and preventing their reproduction.
These products come in different forms:
- pasty;
- granulated;
- smoke;
- powdered;
- aerosol;
- suspension;
- spray.
These substances vary in their application. Depending on this characteristic, the following agents are distinguished:
- For plants. Acaricides are used to treat plantings against plant-eating mites—spider mites, cactus mites, bulb mites, and cucumber mites.
- For bees. These products are used to treat hives to prevent and treat acarapisosis and varroatosis in beneficial insects.
- For humans and animals. These substances are used to prevent infection of humans and pets with dangerous pathogens carried by ticks. These pests are often the source of borreliosis and encephalitis.
What is the classification of acaricides?
Today, there are many acaricidal agents available on the market, which differ in their active ingredients and effects on parasites.
Bromine preparations
This category includes substances containing bromopropylate. They are used to treat berry bushes, vineyards, and fruit trees. These products effectively control spider mites and fruit mites. These substances have an intestinal or contact effect and act as fumigants.
Heterocycles with nitrogen
This group is considered one of the most effective. Unlike products containing bromopropylate, nitrogen-containing heterocycles effectively kill both adult mites and eggs. This effectively prevents tick reproduction. Sterility ensures complete eradication of the insects after their life cycle is complete.
Insectoacaricides
This category is considered quite broad. It contains many biological and chemical agents that differ in their mechanism of action. These may include:
- contact – destroys parasites after they enter their body;
- intestinal - works after entering the body with food;
- fumigant – affects the respiratory system and causes intoxication with toxic vapors;
- systemic – causes poisoning of leaves and stems, after which insects are poisoned after eating them.
This group of products is characterized by the following features:
- high degree of efficiency;
- high toxicity to humans and pets;
- rapid decomposition and no risk of accumulation in the soil;
- rapid action on parasites;
- no risk of accumulation in tissues at the cellular level.
Sulfur-containing drugs
This acaricide has specific properties and a unique action. It effectively targets ticks and is environmentally friendly. Another advantage is the high effectiveness of sulfur, which combats fungal infections. This leads to the rapid death of parasites.
The product is harmless to people and pets. Sulfur contains propargite, which quickly kills ticks regardless of their age. These substances are effective for two weeks or slightly longer.
Pyrethroids
These products are synthetic and have a detrimental effect on pests. They are considered an alternative to toxic natural ingredients and have a rapid effect. The use of pyrethroids results in paralysis and death of the parasites.
This category of products poses no danger to fish, humans, or beneficial insects. They can be used on plants and animals. However, these substances have a significant drawback: they quickly lead to the development of resistance.
How it works and how it penetrates
All specific acaricidal agents act by contact. However, the mode of action of these substances varies depending on their composition. For example, magnesium phosphide-based agents have acaricidal properties and are used to fumigate grain against grain mites.
As magnesium phosphide decomposes, it produces phosphine gas, which is toxic to ticks and insects. Phosphine is considered a broad-spectrum poison. It disrupts nervous system function, paralyzes the nervous system, and disrupts biochemical processes.
Duration of effect
If large numbers of mites appear on plants, it is recommended to use products with high initial toxicity. When using low-toxicity products, they should be combined with organophosphates or highly toxic acaricides, such as pyridaben.
How often to apply
For maximum effectiveness, crops should be treated until the leaves and stems are completely wet. The frequency of spraying may vary, ranging from 1 to 2-3 times. The period before harvest also varies, from a few days to a couple of months. The specific period is determined by the toxicity of the substance, the dosage, and the application rate.
What is the environmental resistance?
The effectiveness of specific acaricides and the number of sprays required vary depending on the product's persistence. The duration of its presence on crop surfaces also influences the results.
How do they affect the environment, people and pets?
Many common acaricides affect not only ticks but also harmful and beneficial insects. This is important to consider when choosing a treatment.
Toxicity to humans and animals manifests itself through irritating effects on the skin and mucous membranes. Poisoning effects are also possible if ingested. Toxicity levels are expressed in hazard classes from 1 to 4, with 1 representing the highest hazard and 4 representing the lowest. Class 4 products can be used in everyday life. For treating crops in the home, products classified as 3 and 4 are suitable.
Rules for the use of acaricides
The correct use of such products affects their effectiveness. First, careful preparation of the solution is required. Enamel, glass, and plastic containers are acceptable for mixing the components. However, metal utensils should not be used. To avoid damaging your hands, wear rubber gloves.
To prepare acaricides, mix the required amount of the product in one-third to one-half of the volume of water until completely dissolved. Then, add the remaining volume and mix again. Add the mixture to the sprayer tank. The dosage can be found in the instructions. Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
It is recommended to apply the fertilizer to crops in cloudy, windless weather. The temperature should be between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. Failure to follow these guidelines will reduce the effectiveness of the fertilizer.
It is recommended to thoroughly spray plants on all sides. It is important to ensure that the foliage and stems are completely wet. The thoroughness of the spraying affects the effectiveness of the product.
Mixing acaricides with other products is only necessary if they are known not to interfere with each other's effectiveness. However, they are most often used separately. When treating indoor plants, remove all people and animals from the area. It is recommended to wear goggles, a respirator, and rubber gloves. Ventilate the area after treatment.
Top 7 drugs
Today, there are many acaricides available that are fast-acting and can be used on a wide range of crops. They are less environmentally toxic than their predecessors.
Oberon
This product is an insectoacaricide and is available as a suspension. It is effective against mites. It can also be used against whiteflies and thrips. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Plants must be moistened before use.
The compound effectively controls both adult insects and larvae. It can be applied to plants without causing addiction. However, the substance does have some drawbacks. It can kill bees. Furthermore, the product should not be combined with alkaline solutions. Furthermore, it requires direct contact.
Milbiol
This product is best suited for treating furniture. It's easy to use and natural. It inhibits the development of parasites and disrupts their feeding habits. A drawback is its slight onion odor. Furthermore, repeat treatments are required to kill the mites.
Acaril
This product helps control dust mites. It can be used in the washing machine. It is completely harmless to health and helps eliminate parasites at various stages. The main drawback of this product is its high price.
Akarosan
This acaricide is available as a spray. It's ideal for treating carpets, mattresses, pillows, and fabrics. It helps quickly eliminate pests and allergens. Furthermore, it has a long-lasting effect and is completely safe for people and pets. The main drawback is the need for repeated treatments to completely eliminate mites.
Apollo
This modern contact agent is available as a suspension. It effectively combats spider mites and fruit mites. To use, the product is dissolved and applied directly to crops. Its main advantages include its effectiveness against larvae and eggs.
The compound inhibits adult insect reproduction and lasts up to three months. It is non-toxic to humans and pets and works well with insecticides. However, the substance does have its drawbacks. These include the need for direct contact with the parasites and the lack of lethal effect on adult pests.
Sanmite
The product is available as an insecticidal powder that helps control many types of ticks. Its advantages include its effectiveness at all stages of the parasite's life and rapid results. The product remains effective even with fluctuating temperatures. Its effect lasts for 1.5 months.
However, the product does have its drawbacks. Its use requires direct contact with the parasites. Furthermore, Sanmite cannot be combined with alkaline-based products.
Masai
This substance is used for protection and prevention. It is considered quite toxic to pests and is effective during their motility stage. A single application can kill almost all parasites. It provides long-lasting protection and is resistant to temperature fluctuations. Its disadvantages include its lack of effect on eggs and its toxic effects on bees, humans, fish, and animals.
Acaricides are effective agents that help effectively control ticks. To ensure their effectiveness, it's important to strictly follow the instructions for use.