How to treat mites on cabbage? - briefly
Apply a miticide—such as sulfur, neem oil, or a licensed acaricide—following label directions and spray early in the day when foliage is dry. Complement chemical control with cultural measures: prune affected leaves, maintain adequate irrigation, and rotate cabbage with non‑host crops to suppress mite populations.
How to treat mites on cabbage? - in detail
Mite infestations on cabbage require prompt, integrated measures to prevent severe leaf damage and yield loss.
Begin with cultural practices that reduce mite populations. Rotate crops with non‑cruciferous species every 2–3 years, and avoid planting cabbage near previous infestations. Remove weeds and volunteer plants that can harbor pests. Maintain adequate spacing (30–45 cm) to improve airflow and reduce humidity, conditions that favor mite development.
Apply monitoring techniques. Inspect the undersides of leaves weekly using a 10× hand lens. Look for tiny moving specks, webbing, or stippled leaf tissue. When counts exceed 5 mites per leaf, initiate control actions.
Choose chemical and non‑chemical treatments according to the severity of the outbreak.
- Soap‑based sprays: Dilute horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to 1–2 % and apply until runoff, covering both leaf surfaces. Repeat every 5–7 days until mites are absent.
- Miticides: Select products containing abamectin, spirodiclofen, or bifenthrin, respecting label rates and pre‑harvest intervals. Rotate active ingredients to avoid resistance.
- Biological agents: Release predatory mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus) at 500–1 000 predators per square meter. Ensure adequate humidity (≥60 %) for predator establishment.
Integrate soil amendments that strengthen plant vigor. Apply well‑decomposed compost or a balanced N‑P‑K fertilizer at recommended rates, avoiding excessive nitrogen, which can accelerate mite reproduction.
Sanitation measures finish the program. Destroy heavily infested plants, clean tools with alcohol, and disinfect greenhouse benches or field rows.
A systematic approach—cultural prevention, regular scouting, timely application of soaps, miticides, or biocontrol agents, and strict sanitation—effectively suppresses mite pressure on cabbage crops.