How to treat greenhouse mites? - briefly
Apply a selective acaricide at the recommended dosage, introduce predatory mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, and keep humidity low with regular sanitation to suppress populations. Rotate chemicals and monitor traps to avoid resistance buildup.
How to treat greenhouse mites? - in detail
Mite infestations in greenhouse crops develop quickly under warm, humid conditions. Early detection relies on regular inspection of leaf undersides with a hand lens, looking for tiny moving specks, webbing, or stippled foliage. Sticky traps placed at canopy level provide quantitative data on population trends.
Effective management combines cultural, biological, and chemical tactics:
- Sanitation: Remove plant debris, replace infested pots, and sterilize tools after each use. Maintain low humidity (below 70 %) and adequate ventilation to discourage mite reproduction.
- Cultural practices: Rotate crops with non‑host species, avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, and regulate temperature to stay within optimal ranges for the cultivated plants rather than for the pests.
- Biological agents: Introduce predatory mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis for spider mites or Amblyseius swirskii for broad‑range pests. Release rates of 10–20 predators per square meter and weekly monitoring ensure sustained control.
- Botanical extracts: Apply neem oil or rosemary oil emulsions at label‑recommended concentrations. These products disrupt feeding and oviposition while preserving beneficial insects.
- Chemical options: Use acaricides with different modes of action (e.g., abamectin, spiromesifen, or bifenazate) in rotation to prevent resistance. Apply the lowest effective dose, adhere to pre‑harvest intervals, and follow label safety instructions.
- Integrated approach: Combine the above methods, adjusting frequencies based on trap counts and leaf damage assessments. Record all interventions in a pest‑management log to refine future decisions.
Regular evaluation of mite density, coupled with prompt adjustments to the control program, maintains crop health and minimizes economic loss.