How to combat spider mites on figs?

How to combat spider mites on figs? - briefly

Apply a strong water spray to dislodge mites and follow with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, repeating every 7–10 days; prune heavily infested branches and keep the canopy open to reduce humidity. Monitor foliage weekly and retreat promptly if mite activity resumes.

How to combat spider mites on figs? - in detail

Spider mites thrive on the undersides of fig leaves, especially when humidity is low and temperatures exceed 25 °C. Early detection relies on inspecting foliage weekly, looking for fine webbing and stippled leaf tissue. Once populations exceed a threshold of 5–10 mites per leaf, intervention becomes necessary.

• Cultural controls

  • Increase ambient humidity by misting foliage twice daily during dry periods.
  • Prune dense canopy sections to improve air circulation and expose mites to sunlight.
  • Remove and destroy heavily infested leaves or twigs to reduce breeding sites.

• Mechanical actions

  • Spray a strong jet of water on leaf undersides to dislodge mites; repeat every 5–7 days until counts drop below economic injury level.
  • Apply sticky traps of yellow or blue color near the canopy to monitor and capture adult females.

• Biological agents

  • Release predatory mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus) at a rate of 1 g of commercial preparation per 100 m²; reapply after two weeks if mite numbers remain high.
  • Introduce lacewing larvae or predatory beetles as supplementary natural enemies.

• Chemical options

  • Use horticultural oil (5–10 % v/v) or neem oil (1–2 % v/v) as a foliar spray, covering both leaf surfaces; repeat at 7‑day intervals, observing pre‑harvest interval limits.
  • Apply sulfur‑based miticide (0.5 % w/v) only when organic measures fail; rotate with a different mode of action to delay resistance.

• Integrated schedule

  1. Week 1: Inspect, prune, and mist.
  2. Week 2: Apply water jet, set sticky traps, and release predatory mites.
  3. Week 3: If counts persist, spray oil or neem.
  4. Week 4: Re‑inspect; repeat water jet and biological releases as needed.

Consistent monitoring, combined with the layered approach above, maintains mite populations below damaging levels while preserving fig fruit quality and minimizing chemical residues.