If you do not fight aphids, the culture on which they settled can die. It is important to spot aphids on plants as early as possible and take action.

What does aphid look like

Aphids are tiny insects with a soft body. Their torso is pear-shaped, 0.5–1.0 mm long. Aphids can be wingless or with wings, depending on their age.

Attention! Aphids on tomatoes often have a tinge of foliage to be indistinguishable from their background. It acquires this color due to the plant pigment, which enters the parasite's body along with the juice.

Aphids prefer young plants, as they have less coarse fiber and more juice.

Aphids on tomatoes

What does seedling damage look like

Whitefly on tomato seedlings: how to deal

During the cultivation of seedlings, the problem can be detected by a change in its appearance: the foliage becomes variegated, curly. As aphids multiply, the culture becomes weak, growth slows down. The leaves turn yellow and resemble corrugated cardboard. Young stems curl up and stop growing.

Aphids especially love to be located on the lower surface of the foliage, at the base.

Why pests are dangerous

Aphids give off poison. These parasites are very widespread and can destroy seedlings before they are transferred to an open area. Aphid females lay eggs on the underside of the leaves, which requires constant careful consideration of the seedlings.

Spider mite on tomato seedlings

Gardeners often face a similar problem. In order not to confuse aphids with other diseases, all the symptoms should be compared with a photo of a tomato bush attacked by aphids.

Aphids on tomatoes give off sticky juice, ants crawl to it, which is also not useful for planting.

How to deal with parasites

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The easiest way is to buy special preparations for processing, for example, Fitoverm or Iskra-Bio.

Note! Fitoverm is considered a biological product, that is, it is safer than chemicals.

Fitoverm can penetrate the skin of insects into the intestines when they eat foliage. It affects the nervous system, the insect stops feeding and dies of hunger after 12 hours.

In the soil, the drug decomposes after 25-30 hours, and on the surface of the stems and foliage after 2-3 days. When spraying, adult aphids die, but the larvae remain, so it is better to spray 4 times, at intervals of a week.

To spray tomato seedlings, you should pour 8 ml of the drug in 1 liter of clean water, add shampoo there for better adhesion to the foliage. The solution must be poured into a spray bottle and sprayed, trying to distribute evenly. Tomato bushes from aphids need to be processed from the underside of the sheets, since insects are concentrated there.

Aphids on tomatoes

In Iskra-Bio, the active ingredient is avertin. Sold in the form of a concentrated emulsion. It is necessary to make a working solution from 8 ml of the drug and 1 liter of water.

Seedlings grown in a greenhouse can be processed:

  • Kalash insecticide, it kills aphids, the active ingredient is imidacloprid, you need to pour 5 ml of the substance into a bucket of clean water and spray the plants.
  • Biotlin, it kills adult aphids and slows down the development of its larvae. It attacks the parasites by skin contact and enters the intestines. To prepare the solution, pour 5 ml of Biotlin into a bucket of clean water. You cannot store it. Spray tomato seedlings with a freshly prepared solution, drain the rest.
  • Karbofos - good for aphids, can enter the body of insects through the skin and act within 7-10 days.
  • Aktara, Tanrekom - you need to make a working solution according to the instructions.
  • Bleach should be sprayed on the base of the foliage and stems, it has a beneficial effect on the ground, reduces acidity, and protects seedlings from other diseases.

Aphids on tomatoes

If aphids appear on tomato seedlings, how to deal with folk remedies?

  • Tomato seedlings at home can be treated with insecticidal soap, concentrated or dry, it is sold in a garden store.
  • Make a composition for processing by pouring 1 tbsp. a spoonful of liquid dishwashing liquid in 1 liter of clean water. You need to actively wash the back of the foliage with soapy water. Insects die due to clogging of the spiracles located on the surface of the bodies, from exposure to strong alkali and removal of wax from the body.
  • Prepare a decoction of 1 part celandine or yarrow and 2 parts water. More water should be poured into such a broth. The bushes need to be watered with broth every 5 days.
  • Make an infusion of makhorka or finely chopped tobacco, for this, add 0.5 kg of powder to 1 liter of boiling water, put it on the stove, light a small flame, boil for half an hour, then strain. Then you need to pour this composition into a bucket of water and apply.
  • Pour 2 glasses of ash into a bucket of boiling water (10 l), place 50 g of shavings of laundry soap there. Next, you need to leave the mixture for 12 hours. Then strain, pour into the sprayer through cheesecloth folded in 3 layers so as not to clog it with ash. And then spray the tomato seedlings.
  • Pour in 1 tbsp. spoon of apple cider vinegar in 1 liter of water and rinse the foliage. If there are a lot of aphids, plants need to be sprayed with biological products, chemical and folk remedies.
  • Pour 75 g of baking soda into a bucket of clean water, mix, then spray the seedlings.
  • Ammonia helps well, it irritates the respiratory organs of parasites, causes burns to the digestive system, and eventually leads to the death of pests. Pour 2 tbsp into a bucket of clean water. tablespoons of ammonia and 1 tbsp. spoon of liquid soap.

It is required to spray the plants, observing safety precautions. To prepare the solution, you should not take containers intended for cooking. Wear gloves, a mask or goggles, and a closed suit. You must not smoke or eat during the procedure. After spraying, it is advised to wash your hands and face with soap.

Spider mites can also attack seedlings. It is easy to spot by the cobwebs on the leaves, whitish and yellowish dots. It is required to destroy the spider mite by Karbofos.

These simple but effective remedies will protect the seedlings, protect them from the attack of aphids. To get rid of parasites, it is important to notice in time and begin to destroy them.