Mites on the Move

Finally got out in some trees yesterday, and didn't have any problems finding mites -- both rust mites and spider mites. The spider mites are just now starting to hatch out and move around. Taking a quick check on mites in your trees will help you decide what pesticides to apply this spring, or even if you can skip a treatment.

The March 10, 2010 post "Spring Insecticides for Pest Control" gives a good summary of materials you can use this spring. The following image reviews how well some of the common materials control different pests. The big X means it works really well. The smaller x means it only works somewhat and might need an added material to give really good control.

Other miticides that you might use include the following:

1. Sanmite which like Envidor controls all stages of both spruce spider mite and hemlock rust mite
2. Savey which controls the eggs and immatures of spider mites -- no activity against rust mites
3. Apollo which has the same type control as Savey
4. Floramite which should control all stages of spider mites

It's always good to rotate materials, especially with pests like mites that have multiple generations each year.

Remember that Thionex will no longer be available for sale after July 2011, and you can't use it after July 2012, so don't purchase now more than you can use.

For a listing of pesticides labeled for Christmas trees and links to the labels and MSDS sheets, view our new pesticide page. 

For information about farm and pesticide safety, go to our new safety page.