How to get rid of onion flies

How to deal with an onion fly, there are many different ways. For effective destruction of a pest, several methods should be combined - biological, agrotechnical, chemical, folk. Follow the rules of crop rotation, plant carrots near.Means for onion flies are prepared by themselves or bought in an economic, specialized store.

What does a pest look like and traces of its vital activity

Externally, onion fly looks like apartment (home). Differs only in color - ash-gray, ash-green and size. Body length does not exceed 10 mm, the average size is 6 mm. Transparent wings, head with well-marked eyes, three pairs of legs. A photo of an onion fly at the imago stage is presented below.

The main pest of onions is the larva - a white worm with a body size of 1 to 8 mm. The larva lives and develops in a bulb, makes numerous moves, feeds on sap. At the last stage of development, it is picked out, buried in the soil to a depth of 13 cm from the surface, pupates. After a few days, onion flies to the surface, which after a day becomes mature. Photos of onion fly larvae can be seen below.

The insect hibernates at the stage of larvae, pupae. Shows activity since the end of May during the flowering of the cherry. Waiting for culture in fertile soil or falls into a favorable environment with sowing.

On a note!

The maximum activity is observed in June, it is possible to notice significant damage also in July. As the parasite spoils the bulb, interferes with growth. The larvae are able to completely destroy the entire crop.

Signs of defeat:

• growth retardation;
• dry tips on feathers;
• pale spots;
• unpleasant smell;
• damaged or rotten bulb.

A photo of onions damaged by an onion fly is presented below.

Onion fly

Methods of struggle at different stages

To get rid of the onion fly, you need to take emergency and global measures.

• After collecting a healthy and damaged crop, you should collect the remains, dig the bed. The larvae focus on the remnants of the culture, deep in the soil, they will wait for a new bed in the spring. Digging up the soil in late autumn will bring the larvae to the surface, after which they will freeze.
• It is necessary to follow the rules of crop rotation. Do not plant onions in one place two years in a row. It is recommended to alternate and plant carrots next to garlic. Carrot fly does not tolerate the smell of onions, and onion - carrots. The garlic fly is more accustomed to the onion flavor, so planting the garlic beds should be after the carrot beds.
• In the immediate vicinity and around the garden it is recommended to plant plants with a persistent odor that will play the role of a natural repellent. Calendula, marigolds, peppermint will help to protect the onions.
• Before planting sevka in the ground, it must be well inspected. If there is any damage to the bulbs planted in the ground should not be. Among gardeners practicing soaking seeds in hot water for 5 minutes or in a solution of potassium permanganate. Water should be light pink. Sevok after heat treatment laid out on a dry surface, dried. With a protective purpose and, in order to accelerate growth, pre-placed sevok in the refrigerator for a day.
• Care for onions after planting consists in the timely removal of weeds, loosening of the soil, watering. The usual cold water and high humidity in the garden will help to save the onions.
• During the growing season you can fight onion fly folk remedies, biological products. Spraying feathers, watering the beds carried out 1-2 times a week until the disappearance of signs of damage.
• Chemical preparations should be treated in the fall, after harvest, or in early spring.Spraying onions during the growing season with insecticides is allowed no later than 20 days before harvesting. About a month you can not use greens in food.

To fight the onion fly in the garden you need to thoroughly, always remember about prevention, the rules of crop rotation, fertilizing the soil.

Folk remedies

Folk recipes for dealing with onion fly

To destroy the pest in the garden using substances with fly repelling odor. Processing culture carried out by spraying, watering, some means smashing the beds between rows.

Watering salt

The easiest and most accessible way to fight. For 10 liters of cold water you will need a glass of salt. Thoroughly stir, water with the calculation of 1 cup of solution for 1 plant. In order to prevent salinization of the soil, the next day, repeat abundant watering, but with ordinary cold water. Saline is used 1 time in 14 days.

Ammonia

To fight ammonia is just as easy. At 10 liters of cold water consumed 3 hours spoon of ammonia. Prepare the solution immediately before use.

Important!

Carry out the procedure treatment with ammonia followed 3 times per season with a break of 1 month. This is due to the risk of re-infection. During the warm season 3 generations of pests change.

Pour ammonia solution in such a way that it does not get on the feathers. The method will not only help protect the onions from pests, but also accelerate the growth of greenery, the formation of bulbs. A solution of chicken manure, which also contains ammonia, acts in a similar way.

Tobacco dust

Remove the larvae, scare the onion fly can tobacco powder or cigarette butts. Scatter on a bed, strew tobacco dust on the previously moistened soil. You can also display tincture, decoction. Cold water pour cigarette butts or tobacco, insist day. Pour onions need in the evening or early in the morning. Repeat after 3 days. To prepare the broth using a fresh plant, poured boiled water, boil a minute, insist day.

Wood ash

Save onions and increase the yield will be able to ash wood. It is one of the most effective means in the fight against many pests. Sprinkle the beds with powder. Actions are enough for 1-2 weeks, depending on the layer. The solution can be sprayed beds, the green part of the plant,cultivate the soil before planting and after harvesting at the site. In the bucket of water add ash, a little laundry soap. Pour into a household spray bottle or a bottle with a spray. Ash penetrates the juice culture, makes it bitter for the larvae, and also irritates the skin on contact.

On a note!

It is possible to treat onions from onion flies with the decoction of some herbs, ordinary soapy water. Household, tar soap, tansy, wormwood, valerian, peppermint, lemon balm are used. At home, the selected potion is filled with hot water, drawn for about a day, filtered, and some soap is added.

Chemicals

Pesticides to fight the onion fly

Insecticidal preparations are allowed to be used in spring, early summer, and also in late autumn after harvesting for application to the soil. With the right approach, it is possible to preserve the onions, to ensure the prevention of infection in the next season.

The active substances are absorbed by the plant tissues, kill the larvae during feeding, and exterminate the flies by contact during the first days of treatment. The remedy disrupts the functioning of the central nervous system, causes paralysis, death.In the soil remains valid from 10 days to 2 months, will save from re-infection. The solution for irrigation, spraying is prepared immediately before use, in the dosage specified in the instructions.

Effective drugs:

• Aktara;
• Actellic;
• Onion fly;
• Dnock;
• Angio;
• Calypso;
• Lannat;
• On the spot.

Important!

Chemicals destroy adults flies, larvae. It should not be used during the period of active flowering of other crops, because the preparations kill insect pollinators, especially bees.

Biological preparations

In the market of modern products are presented in a wide range. They act like insecticides, but are safe for the environment and human health. Repeat the irrigation procedure, spraying should be once a week for the entire growing season. The result comes in 7-10 days, keeps no more than 2 weeks.

Before use, it is dissolved in water in the indicated dosage. Usually one pack or ampoule is enough for a bucket of water. Apply on onions, carrots, cabbage, potatoes and other garden crops.

Effective drugs:

• Fitoderm;
• Spark Bio;
• Actofit;
• Mikosan;
• Phytosporin;
• PhytoDoctor;
• Ekosten.

Allowed to use greens after thorough washing under running water. It is allowed to use at any stage of vegetation.

An onion fly can start at any stage of the growing season, so you should always remember about prevention, periodically inspect the beds, take timely measures.