spider mite control?

macrocarpa

macrocarpa

Branched out member
Location
Midwest
I looked at a job yesterday, 6 blue spruce looking a little ragged due to spider mites, fertility issues and we're a little too far south to grow blue spruce, but they do ok here.

Anyway, I am thinking about trying this fert as a foliar spray:

http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=217&item=227

The question is, what can I use for the spider mites? I prefer oils, but will it really take the blue out of the spruce? Do spruce just then turn green after an oil spray? Or does it hurt the tree? What products are others using for spider mite control? (foliar or soil)

Does spinosad (conserve) really work good for spider mites? It is labeled for them.
 
Foliar fert cant hurt LOL give it a try and let me know how it works..

Oil will not hurt a blue spruce, It just takes the blue wax off the needles and yes it will happen almost instantly. So oil is not an option for anything blue!!

Conserve is labeled for mites, but is only mildly affective. if you have it already mixed in the tank, you can add a miticide (Make yourself a pesticide "Cocktail").

Miticides that i have used: Florimite (works OK) AVID(Works well) Shuttle (works well)


Also dont forget the old Landscaper trick........a high pressure garden hose will blow the mites off the plant
 
Have you had no results from foliar fert? I have added essential plus fert to my hemlock oil spray mix and am getting noticeable results.

I have heard good things about this nu-arbor fert as a foliar spray specifically for evergreens, we'll see?

I'll look into the miticides. Too bad the oils are not an option. Have you got good results controlling spider mites with hort oils? There are a couple other companies in my area recommending miticide treatments on top of imidacloprid soil injections for hemlock hedges to control both adelgids and spider mites, but I swear I am getting better results with just oils and sometimes I add essential plus (low-no nitrogen organic fert), 1 application/year = cheap, easy, effective!

Thanks Mr Tea, you give good advise!
 
Foliar ferts, In the past i mixed Bio-Pac Plus with my oil and yes i have seen results on Rhododendrons, hemlocks and other problematic over planted foundation shrubs. So i know foliar fertilization is viable, so give that product a try im curious

The other companies are "Double Dipping" with the miticide on top of the merit treatments. There was a study carried out a few years ago, linking full rate merit applications to mite out breaks.

Oil for mites, on anything that is not BLUE, i get great results!
 
MR Tea, when do you time your oil treatments? Do you perform a dormant spray, or focus on the summer applications? Also, are you hesitant to spray in the spring during budbreak?
 
we spray, Dormant oil, in March and April to catch the over wintering egg masses right around the first few Growing Degree Days. Spring during bud break is the best (most important time to spray) if you do a good job it will set the tone for the whole year
 
Be careful using oil on spruce during this time. You can fry the new foliage. I only know this b/c I've done it. Be careful if you are spraying any weeping varieties also. The oil can collect on the ends and fry the foliage.
 
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