When should strawberries be sprayed for ticks? - briefly
Apply an acaricide when nymphal tick activity is highest—usually from late May through early July—and re‑apply after heavy rain or according to the product’s schedule. This timing aligns with the period when strawberry plants are most vulnerable to tick infestation.
When should strawberries be sprayed for ticks? - in detail
Strawberry plants are most vulnerable to tick infestations during the early stages of growth, when foliage is young and the canopy is not yet dense. Applying a tick‑control spray at this point maximizes contact with emerging ticks and limits their ability to establish a population.
The optimal schedule follows the crop’s phenology and local climate:
- Pre‑planting or transplanting (late winter/early spring): Treat the soil and surrounding area with a residual acaricide to create a barrier before seedlings emerge.
- First true leaf stage (approximately 2–3 weeks after planting): Apply a foliar spray that penetrates the young leaves. This timing coincides with the peak activity of nymphal ticks in many regions.
- Flowering onset (when buds are visible): Repeat treatment to protect the expanding canopy, which provides additional habitat for ticks.
- Mid‑season (fruit set to early ripening): Conduct a third application if weather conditions (warm, humid periods) favor tick development. This protects both the plant and the harvested fruit from secondary infestation.
- Post‑harvest (after fruit removal): Perform a final spray to eliminate residual tick populations before the field lies fallow.
Additional considerations:
- Degree‑day accumulation: Use local degree‑day models to predict tick emergence; sprays should be timed when accumulated heat units reach the threshold for nymph activity.
- Rainfall: Schedule applications at least 24 hours before forecasted rain to ensure adequate absorption and reduce runoff.
- Product label restrictions: Follow the manufacturer's recommended pre‑harvest interval (PHI) and re‑entry interval (REI) to avoid residue violations.
- Integrated pest management (IPM): Combine chemical sprays with cultural practices such as removing weeds, maintaining proper row spacing, and encouraging natural predators (e.g., ground beetles) to suppress tick numbers.
By aligning spray applications with these growth stages and environmental cues, growers can effectively control tick populations while minimizing chemical use and preserving fruit quality.