Landscape and Nursery - Southern Red Mites

Southern Red Mites, Oligonychus ilicis have hatched and are very active. The following is information on these mites from the University of Maryland.

Southern red mites are active at this time. Examine broadleaf evergreens including hollies, laurels, camellias, and azaleas. The southern red mite is also commonly found Clethra, Photinia, Pyracantha and Viburnum. If your customers have ornamental or fruit bearing plums and peaches, southern red mite is active on these plants also.

Control: Early in the season some of the best control measures involve using mite growth regulators that impact nymphs of spider mites. These materials prevent mites from shedding their skin and going to the next life stage. Here are some of the mite growth regulators available: hexythiazox (Hexygon), clofentezine (Ovation), etoxazole (Tetrasan). Another miticide that is relatively new that looks very good is Forbid. The chemical in Forbid is translaminar and desiccates treated mites and eggs. It acts a little like a growth regulator in that it inhibits molting of the mites. It also inhibits oviposition in adult females. Some of the other materials for mite control are abamectin (Avid) fenpyroximate (Akari), bifenazate (Floramite), spinosad (Conserve), and pyridaben (Sanmite).

Information from the TPM/IPM Weekly Report for Arborists, Landscape Managers & Nursery Managers from the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension