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Invasion of mole crickets and ants on the site: how an agronomist advises to get rid of pests
31.03.2024 06:20
The appearance of mole crickets and ants on plots is one of the very common problems of all summer residents. But how can you get rid of them?
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", an agronomist and landscape designer, told how to fight the mole cricket and ants.
Mole cricket
The mole crickets themselves are very unpleasant-looking insects, covered on top with a dense shell, under which the pest's head can sometimes hide. In the mouth there are two very strong jaws, with which the insect bites off roots.
You can hear other names for this insect from summer residents: cabbage cricket, mole cricket, ground crayfish or wolf cricket.
Mole crickets are the most serious and frequent pests of crops. The insect's "taste preferences" include potatoes, carrots, beets, tomatoes, bell peppers, melons, watermelons, beans, radishes and many other plants planted in Western Europe, and especially in the south of Russia.
If horizontal passages appear at the planting sites or near them, right at the surface, young shoots do not survive, and their roots are bitten, then this is a clear sign of the appearance of a mole cricket on the site.
Getting rid of mole crickets is a fairly complex process, and there are a large number of options to suit any budget and preference.
Folk remedies
• Dilute kerosene with water and pour into visible holes.
• Repelling with garlic or lemon balm – unpleasant odors will immediately scare away the enemy.
• Planting marigolds or carnations – these plants are unpleasant for the mole cricket.
From chemicals you can take: "Thunder", "Medvetoks" or Rubit. These products help the most according to summer residents' research.
There is also a so-called mechanical option. Its principle is that in the autumn period you need to dig a small hole, then fill it with cow dung. When frosts appear, the contents of this homemade hole are scattered over the entire surface. This method will help you kill new mole cricket larvae, as the manure will serve as excellent bait.
Ants
Ants, unlike the mole cricket, mostly settle on the surface of the ground, not under it.
There are many types of ants, but only a few species can be found in a summer cottage: harvesters, gardeners, and gatherers. Reapers feed mainly on seeds, but their diet may also include dry fruits. Such ants are also called vegetarians.
If after planting the plant no sprout appears, then it is likely that ants were the main cause and simply dined on the planted seeds.
Garden ants are known for their ability to make their homes underground, which usually comes as a surprise to gardeners. They are the hardest ant to get rid of and are usually the most annoying.
They feed on plant roots, which causes the greatest damage to the garden.
Gatherers include vegetables, fruits and berries in their diet. Their most common habitats are strawberry and carrot beds.
There are also several ways to get rid of ants.
Method 1. There are many different poisons for ants, you can find chemicals for any budget. The most famous brands are: "Thunder-2", "Muravyed" and "Diazinon".
Method 2. There are many options for folk remedies, but let's look at the most effective ones. To get rid of ants, you can soak a rag in kerosene and place it under fruit bushes.
Ants do not like strong smells, so it is recommended to plant garlic, parsley or dill in the area.
Earlier we talked about how to feed strawberries in the spring .
