What should be used to treat geraniums for ticks? - briefly
Apply a horticultural oil or neem‑oil spray at the recommended concentration to eradicate ticks on geraniums. For heavy infestations, a licensed systemic acaricide such as spinosad can be used according to label instructions.
What should be used to treat geraniums for ticks? - in detail
Treating geraniums that are suffering from tick infestations requires a combination of chemical, biological, and cultural measures. Effective control begins with accurate identification; most garden “ticks” on geraniums are spider mites (Tetranychidae), which feed on leaf tissue and cause stippling, yellowing, and webbing.
Chemical options
- Insecticidal soap: a 2‑5 % solution of potassium salts of fatty acids applied to wet foliage, repeated every 5‑7 days until populations decline.
- Horticultural oil: mineral or botanical oil at 1‑2 % concentration, coating leaves to suffocate mites; reapply after heavy rain.
- Neem oil: 1‑2 % azadirachtin formulation, works as an antifeedant and growth regulator; apply weekly.
- Pyrethrin‑based sprays: 0.1‑0.2 % active ingredient for rapid knock‑down; reserve for severe outbreaks because of potential resistance.
- Systemic acaricides: products containing abamectin or bifenazate, applied as soil drenches or granules according to label rates; use only when foliage treatments fail.
Biological controls
- Predatory mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus californicus): release at 10–20 mites per square foot of foliage; they consume 2–5 spider mites per day.
- Entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana): apply spore suspension at 1 × 10⁹ CFU L⁻¹; fungi infiltrate mite cuticle and cause mortality within 3–5 days.
Cultural practices
- Prune heavily infested stems and discard them away from the garden.
- Increase air circulation by spacing plants 12–18 inches apart and providing adequate ventilation.
- Maintain soil moisture at moderate levels; excessive dryness accelerates mite reproduction.
- Regularly rinse foliage with a strong jet of water to dislodge mites, especially in the early morning.
- Avoid broad‑spectrum insecticides that kill natural enemies; integrate pest‑management principles to preserve beneficial organisms.
A successful program rotates modes of action, monitors populations with a hand lens, and applies treatments when mite counts exceed 5 mites per leaf quadrant. Combining these tactics minimizes chemical residues, delays resistance, and restores geranium health.