If there are mites in the garden, what to do? - briefly
Identify and eliminate the affected leaves, then treat the area with a suitable miticide or introduce predatory mites to suppress the population. Maintain regular monitoring and proper garden hygiene to prevent recurrence.
If there are mites in the garden, what to do? - in detail
When tiny arthropods infest garden plants, immediate identification and targeted control prevent extensive damage.
First, confirm the pest. Examine leaves for stippling, yellowing, or webbing; use a magnifying glass to detect the insects’ size (usually 0.1–0.5 mm) and movement.
Next, assess infestation severity. If fewer than five mites per leaf are observed, cultural measures may suffice. For moderate to severe populations, combine tactics.
Cultural measures
- Remove and destroy heavily infested foliage.
- Increase air circulation by spacing rows and pruning dense growth.
- Water plants early in the day to keep foliage dry, discouraging mite proliferation.
- Apply a mulch layer of coarse organic material to reduce soil‑borne mite habitats.
Biological controls
- Introduce predatory mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis for spider mites, Neoseiulus californicus for broad‑range species).
- Release lady beetle larvae or lacewing eggs to target soft‑bodied mites.
- Apply a dilute solution of neem oil (1 % active ingredient) early in the morning; the oil interferes with mite feeding and reproduction without harming beneficial insects.
Chemical options
- Use acaricides containing abamectin, spirotetramat, or bifenthrin only when other methods fail.
- Follow label instructions precisely, rotating active ingredients to prevent resistance.
- Apply during calm weather to avoid drift onto pollinators.
Monitoring
- Install sticky traps at canopy level to track population trends.
- Conduct weekly leaf inspections for at least four weeks after treatment.
Implementing these steps in a coordinated program reduces mite pressure while preserving ecological balance.