How should strawberries be treated for mites in August? - briefly
Apply a summer‑approved miticide, for example sulfur or a neem‑based formulation, at the label‑specified rate with full foliage coverage. Repeat the treatment every 7–10 days and monitor mite levels.
How should strawberries be treated for mites in August? - in detail
Strawberry crops are vulnerable to mite infestations during the late summer period, when temperatures rise and humidity drops. Effective control in August requires a combination of monitoring, cultural measures, and targeted applications.
Regular scouting should begin early in the month. Inspect the undersides of leaves and fruit for moving specks and webbing. When the population exceeds the economic threshold of approximately three mites per leaf, intervention is warranted.
Cultural tactics reduce mite pressure:
- Remove plant debris that shelters overwintering stages.
- Maintain adequate irrigation to increase leaf humidity, discouraging spider‑mite reproduction.
- Prune dense foliage to improve air flow and light penetration.
When chemical or miticidal action is needed, rotate active ingredients to avoid resistance. Recommended options include:
- Abamectin‑based products, applied at the label‑specified rate of 0.5 ml l⁻¹, with a re‑treatment interval of seven days.
- Sulfur dusts, applied at 2 kg ha⁻¹, effective against early infestations but less reliable under high temperatures.
- Neem‑derived oils, applied at 2 % v/v, providing both repellent and ovicidal effects.
For organic growers, the following substances are acceptable:
- Horticultural oil, applied at 1 % v/v, covering both leaf surfaces.
- Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, used at 1 × 10⁸ cfu ml⁻¹, targeting mite larvae.
All applications must be performed in the early morning or late evening to minimize photodegradation. Record each treatment, noting product name, rate, and date, for future reference and resistance management.
Post‑treatment assessment should occur 48 hours after application. A decline of at least 70 % in mite counts confirms efficacy; otherwise, a different mode of action should be employed. Continuous monitoring throughout the remainder of the month ensures that resurgence is detected promptly and addressed before fruit quality is compromised.