Carrot flies are very small brown insects that infect root crops and cause considerable damage to the crop. One of the most popular ways to get rid of a pest is to use an aqueous solution of 10% ammonia. Flies can appear on the beds during the entire period of plant growth, which is why you need to know how to deal with carrot flies with ammonia in order to not only get rid of the pest, but also to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Method Features
Fighting a carrot fly in the garden with ammonia has been going on for a very long time and is deservedly recognized as one of the most popular methods. This solution has numerous advantages:
- Efficiency. The active components of the agent have a fairly strong effect on the pest.
- Availability. You can buy ammonia in absolutely any pharmacy.
- Low price. The average cost of a bottle of ammonia is 40 rubles.
- Economical expense. For a single crop treatment from a carrot fly, only a couple of ml will be required, which will allow you to use the product for a very long time.
- Additional plant nutrition.
- Security. Ammonia does not change the taste and does not affect the quality indicators of the processed crops.
But, before using this tool, it is necessary to study the existing shortcomings. The weaknesses of the method include:
- The need to observe safety measures so as not to harm health.
- Strictly follow the instructions for preparing the solution. Otherwise, carrots can get burned.
- The action will be noticeable only after a couple of sprinkles.
On a note!
Ammonia from carrot flies is allowed for use at any stage of cultivation, which is one of the key advantages of the method.
Terms of use
Fighting a carrot fly with ammonia is one of the easiest ways. It is carried out by watering the beds with infected root crops prepared solution. To prepare the liquid for processing, it is necessary to dissolve 2 ml of ammonia in a bucket of water. After this, mix the solution thoroughly and pour into a container for processing. You can pour carrots from a carrot fly using spray guns or a classic watering can.
On a note!
The frequency of treatment depends on the degree of infection of the site. But the optimal schedule is the processing of carrots in 4-6 days. During this time, the smell will not have time to completely disappear and for plants such an action will not suffer negative consequences.
Precautionary measures
Ammonia remains poisonous, therefore it is important to observe safety measures while working with it. The aqueous ammonia solution is volatile, evaporates quickly and spreads. Protective clothing must be worn during handling. To do this, use gloves, a tight cloth robe and a scarf or hat on the head.
On a note!
To process carrots with ammonia is better in the early morning after dawn or in the evening after sunset. It is advisable to water in calm weather and when precipitation is not expected in the next 8-12 hours.
Prevention
Given the high breeding rate and the harm from the attack of a carrot fly on the beds, it is recommended to carry out regular prevention. It will allow you to detect the pest at the earliest stages and fight a carrot fly at the very beginning of her appearance.
For planting crops should choose sunny areas on the hills. Carrots growing in lowlands are much more likely to be affected by a pest.
There are also several rules during the cultivation of carrots that help protect the root crop from pests:
- Always fill holes in the soil after picking out fruits for personal use.
- Remove diseased and weak plants.
- Start watering only after a dry crust appears on the surface of the soil.
- Periodically loosen the ground.
- Observe crop rotation and seed planting dates.
Important!
Special varieties of root vegetables have been developed that are highly resistant to carrot flies. These include Perfection, Vitamin 5, Calgary's hybrid.
In addition, it is recommended to etch planting material to increase its resistance to attack by pests.
Reviews
Carrots were completely eaten by a carrot fly. Afraid of the harvest there will be nothing left. I no longer wanted to use chemistry in order to preserve the benefit of the vegetable, because there are 3 grandchildren in the family. A neighbor told me to fight carrot flies with ammonia. Only a few sprayings were enough to make the damage noticeably less. I could not completely get rid of the pest, but I was still satisfied with the result. The main thing is that there were no chemicals.
Igor Yurievich, Sergiev Posad
I diluted ammonia 1 ml per bucket of water. It turned out a very weak solution, but it was enough for the pest to recede. I advise everyone to start processing it with this dosage. Then the crop will be saved, and no harm to the plants.
Irina, Mytishchi
Last summer, a carrot fly was operating on the beds. How to deal with it, I did not know and began to search folk methods. I tried several, the fight lasted about 2 weeks. As a result, I can say that only ammonia saved me, although I used it after trying to get rid of carrot flies with onion and garlic infusion. Diluted 1.5 ml of ammonia in half a ten-liter bucket of warm water and processed the beds.
Oksana, Sevastopol
Thus, the appearance of carrot flies in the beds will become a real problem, which poses a direct danger to the crop and not only carrots. It is optimal to carry out regular preventive maintenance, but even it cannot guarantee complete safety. That is why you always need to carefully monitor the condition of crops on the site and the first detection of pests immediately begin to fight them.