Spider Mite Treatments

8 years ago

My Photinia apparently has spider mites, now partially treated by a spray that was applied last summer. The infestation is probably at about 30% of the level in this photo now. What are some things I can do without using a ton of strong chemicals?

Can I just invest in trimming off the infected leaves and maybe using ladybugs to control the remaining population? What density of ladybugs per surface square foot of plant would I need?

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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

8 years ago

westes, spider mites are nearly microscopic.....not able to be seen with the naked eye by most people.

Ladybugs fly away once released and are not an appropriate choice for the protection of one infested plant in the big outdoors.

If you have a nozzle for your hose that can direct a fan spray up to the underside of the leaves, sharp sprays of water can be a detriment to spider mite populations. Horticultural oils, applied to the underside of the foliage, is one of the best methods of control but you must be careful of the outdoor temperatures when using the oils.

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Comments (6)

westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
8 years ago
What about the idea of using a mite predator like Galendromus Occidentalis?
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Can someone help identify the exact type of mite that I have? Here are some closeup photos of one of the infected leaves on both sides.
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kimmq
8 years ago
Are these affected plants potted and indoors or planted outdoors? Spider Mites are more of a problem when the air is dry and dusty which causes these mites to reproduce more rapidly.

Perhaps this article from your University of California Integrated Pest Management people will be of some help. Your local office of the UC Cooperative Extension Service may be of help in identifying which particular mite species you have.

Pest Management http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7405.html
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked kimmq
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
8 years ago
@kimmq My photinias are outside.

The California climate in Winter is dry, and the humidity in the Summer is low/moderate. When the clay soil dries I guess that would qualify as somewhat dusty.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
@rhizo_1 Okay on ladybugs. But if I could identify the specific species of mite, I could buy a predatory mite. I would rather build an enduring ecosystem.

Spraying under so many leaves is challenging, whether it is water or neem oil. I want to solve this problem, but I am not keen on creating four-hour projects to do this.