How to get rid of cabbage flies using folk remedies

The cabbage fly is an insect pest. Its larvae damage the root system of cruciferous plants, causing the cabbage to quickly wilt. Removing this fly is difficult, so gardeners recommend taking certain preventative measures to avoid its presence. However, such measures aren't always 100% reliable, so it's important to know the signs of plant infestation and methods for eliminating it.

Appearance of the cabbage fly

There are two types of pests that differ only in size: the spring fly and the summer fly.

The main characteristics of the appearance of an adult pest:

• coloration is ash-gray, with males being slightly darker;
• length - 6 mm (spring), 7.5 mm (summer) and 5.5 mm (males);
• the abdomen has an elongated ovoid shape with a pointed apex;
• A wide black stripe runs along it, widening at the base and narrowing towards the posterior edge of the segments;
• there are 3 dark longitudinal stripes on the back;
• In males, each segment has a narrow transverse dark stripe, while in females, there are wedge-shaped brown spots;
• the width of the eyes of females is equal to the width of the forehead, while in males it is 4-5 times larger;
• In females there is one hair at the base of the hind femora, while in males there are many more.

The insect's larvae have a thick, yellow or white body measuring 8 mm. It is tapered at the front and ends in a slanted cut at the back. Two symmetrical black hooks are visible through the transparent covering of the head end.

 

 

Reasons for occurrence

From late April to mid-May, female spring flies begin laying eggs (approximately 150 eggs per individual) on or near the root collar of cabbage plants in the surface soil layer. The peak of this process occurs during lilac bloom. The soil temperature should be 9-10 degrees Celsius (47-50 degrees Fahrenheit). After 7-10 days, the larvae emerge. They feed on the green roots of the plant and destroy the core of the stems.

Summer flies appear towards the end of the first summer month, when the air temperature exceeds 18 degrees, so their larvae pose a threat to the late cabbage crop.

The factors that contribute to the pest's emergence in garden plots are unknown, so gardeners recommend periodically inspecting crops for cabbage fly eggs. This will help promptly take action to eradicate them and save, if not the entire harvest, then at least most of it.

Once the larvae appear, saving the cabbage will be much more difficult. They quickly begin to consume the roots, and the plant will completely wither within 3-4 weeks.

Signs of appearance

If you notice cabbage flies hovering over your seedlings, they're either preparing to lay eggs or have already done so, and you need to take action to eliminate them. Gardeners don't always notice this, and the hatched larvae begin gnawing at the plant's roots, as indicated by the following signs:

• The cabbage looks wilted. Some believe this indicates insufficient soil moisture;
• After overwatering, no changes occur. The plant continues to wilt because its blood vessels are damaged and no moisture flows through them;
• bluish-lead leaves.

If any sign of damage to a garden crop by cabbage fly is detected, action to combat it must not be delayed, otherwise the harvest will be lost.

Effective folk remedies

To solve this problem, various chemical agents are produced (Zemlin, Karbofos, Lepidocide, Actellik), but if they are not available or to increase effectiveness, it is recommended to use folk remedies:

• wash seedlings in a weak solution of potassium permanganate before planting;
• plant plants that release aromatic elements (garlic, sage, celery, caraway, marigolds) in the spaces between cabbage or around the perimeter of the bed;
• spray the wilted heads of the plant with an aqueous solution of ammonia (5 ml per 10 liters of water) or burdock infusion (2.5 kg of leaves are placed in 9 liters of warm water and infused for 48 hours);
• sprinkle the cabbage with a small amount of a mixture made from ground hot pepper and mustard powder;
• In mid-May, dust the soil with mothballs mixed with sand in equal proportions, 5 cm from the seedlings. If eggs are detected, sprinkle 6 g of this mixture under each stem once every 8 days. This control measure is repeated 3 times.
• Bury wood ash in the soil around the cabbage or apply dry ash to the plant itself. Repeat this procedure once every 5 days;
• around the root collar, sprinkle the soil with camphor, slaked lime or wood ash mixed with shag;
• remove old soil and add new soil, taken from another place, to the stem;
• Dust damp cabbage leaves with a dusting mixture. To prepare it, mix equal parts shag and wood ash. Perform the procedure when morning dew appears or in the evening;
• Spray the seedlings with a valerian solution (40 ml per 3 liters of water) with the addition of grated laundry soap (2 tablespoons). Stir the soap shavings until dissolved;
• For spraying the crop, an aqueous solution of 70% acetic acid essence or 9% vinegar (0.5 cups per bucket of water) is suitable.

It's also recommended to install a screen, using a translucent net (Lutrasil, Agril). It's stretched over the beds, securely fastened to the ground to prevent gaps. During rain, the screen can be removed, as insects cannot fly. Watering is carried out without removing the screen.

Insecticides and folk remedies solve the problem, but they must be applied before planting the cabbage and periodically as it grows. If you miss the emergence of the larvae and their subsequent transformation into pupae, growing a crop will be problematic due to the emergence of new generations of cabbage flies.

Prevention

To prevent damage to garden crops by this insect pest, preventive measures have been developed:

• observe crop rotation rules (cabbage should not constantly grow in the same beds);
• remove plants on which arrows have appeared;
• take measures to prevent the emergence of wild cruciferous plants that are weeds (cress, rapeseed);
• clearing the area of ​​cabbage tops and leaves, and then disposing of them outside the garden;
• make sure that pest larvae are not introduced into the soil along with the seedlings;
• Periodically deep-plough the beds where cabbage was grown. This will destroy the maximum number of pupated larvae;
• remove the surface layer of soil (10 cm), replacing it with fresh soil taken from another area;
• treat the roots of seedlings with a weak solution of potassium permanganate before planting;
• Plant calendula, parsley, celery, coriander and other plants that release odorous elements that repel flies between cabbage or around the perimeter of the bed.

These simple steps will help prevent the appearance of cabbage fly larvae, which will protect your crop from damage.

Adviсe

To detect pest eggs, it's recommended to dig up the soil around the root collar with a fork. If you notice small white spots, carefully remove them from the stem before the larvae hatch.

Gardeners who have encountered this problem advise against constantly planting cabbage in the same bed. This increases the risk of cabbage root fly infestation. Planting radishes nearby is also not recommended, as the pest is particularly fond of this plant. Before planting seedlings, deep till the soil first and be sure to renew the top layer of soil.

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Larvae cause significant damage to cruciferous crops, so the key to controlling cabbage fly is preventative measures. This will not only protect your harvest but also reduce the risk of the insect reappearing in subsequent years. If you miss the right moment and the pest begins to damage your cabbage, try to eradicate it quickly.