What should you do when spider mites appear on figs? - briefly
Apply a miticide such as neem oil or horticultural oil to the affected foliage, ensuring thorough coverage of both leaf surfaces. Remove and destroy heavily infested shoots, and maintain proper watering and humidity to prevent recurrence.
What should you do when spider mites appear on figs? - in detail
Spider mites on fig trees require immediate inspection. Examine leaves, especially the undersides, for tiny moving specks and fine webbing. Early detection prevents rapid population growth.
Remove heavily infested foliage. Prune affected branches, cut them several centimeters below the visible damage, and discard them away from the orchard. Clean pruning tools with alcohol between cuts to avoid spreading mites.
Increase humidity around the trees. Mites thrive in dry conditions; misting the canopy several times daily lowers leaf temperature and creates an unfavorable environment. Mulching with organic material conserves soil moisture, indirectly raising ambient humidity.
Introduce natural predators. Release commercially available predatory mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus) according to label instructions. Encourage lady beetles and lacewings by planting flowering herbs such as dill, fennel, or yarrow near the fig orchard.
Apply horticultural oil or neem oil. Dilute the product to the recommended concentration and spray thoroughly, covering both leaf surfaces and stems. Repeat applications every seven to ten days until mite activity ceases, observing the pre‑harvest interval for each product.
If biological measures prove insufficient, consider acaricides with low toxicity. Choose products containing abamectin or spirodiclofen, adhering strictly to dosage and safety guidelines. Rotate active ingredients to prevent resistance development.
Maintain regular monitoring. Inspect trees weekly during the growing season, recording mite presence and control efficacy. Adjust management tactics based on observed trends, ensuring long‑term suppression of spider mite populations.