Bindweed Gall Mites

7 years ago

The state sent me the mites a few weeks ago. They arrived in a clump of bindweed in a cooler with ice packs. I kept them in the refrigerator for 2 days because I was busy. I found a shady place that doesn't get irrigated with plenty of bindweed next to fence of the neighbor who has primarily weeds throughout his yard. Actually I have 2 other bordering properties like that.

I had a look today and they seem to be at work. The bindweed leaves are curling in on themselves. I've been leaving some tomato cages in the area for the bindweed to climb. Uncurled the bindweed from the tomato cages and wrapped it around the infested vine.

I might sign up again for another shipment.

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Comments (5)

bloomingamaryllisrmg
7 years ago
Keep us posted. I tried the mites one year without success. I might try again. I have a terrible bindweed problem.
Nicole (CO Z5b)
7 years ago
Also interested, I have a small bindweed problem myself. Been pulling and smothering the past two years, haven't seen any yet (probably just jinxed myself there). If they show it will be on a ill placed rose I'd like to move and some phlox. The mites are an interesting solution.
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tomatoz1
7 years ago
The mites will work well over a few years, but they need to be in a place without much irrigation.
ZachS. z5 Platteville, Colorado
7 years ago
I know out at the Arsenal we have tried the mites and they never did much of anything. Of course, we have entire sections that is a complete monoculture of the stuff, so the poor bugs were probably completely overwhelmed. Hopefully you have better luck than we did.

One thing to remember with biological control is that they will never eradicate a pest. They are just that, a control, eliminating their "host" would be detrimental to their own survival.
bloomingamaryllisrmg
7 years ago
One thing that has worked for me....that is if you are ok with glyphosate ( ie roundUp). Put the whole plant in a plastic sleeve, seal the bottom end close to the stems ( or just make a small hole in the plastic sleeve. I use newspaper and bread sleeves ). Spray the plant with RU, then seal the top end. The hot house makes the plant absorb the RU and die. If I just spray the plant without a hot house sleeve, it does nothings.