Q. I was reading your blog, Xtremehorticulture of the
Desert, about spider mite damage on Italian cypress. You recommend a miticide
spray. Which one should I get?
Desert, about spider mite damage on Italian cypress. You recommend a miticide
spray. Which one should I get?
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| Spider mites are a hot weather problem. They can cause browing and a dusty appearance to the foliage. |
A. All cypress trees have problems in desert landscapes.
Spider mites are common problems with Italian cypress during the heat of the
summer. If you have Italian cypress it’s best to wash the foliage off with a
high-pressure hose once a month during the summer. This hosing of the green
foliage gets rid of dirt that covers the foliage and increase the chance of spider
mite breakouts.
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| This reader had browing on the foliage of their Italian cypress. Spider mites are a major culprit. |
If
Italian cypress starts turning grey first and then brown due to feeding from
spider mites you will not have much choice but to spray something. If it’s not
too late, start with soapy water sprays weekly to remove dust or debris
interfering with predatory mites. Predatory mites control spider mites but the
dust interferes with their predation. Or use plant oils such as Neem oil or cinnamon oil in early morning hours and retest
the tree to see if it worked.
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| Mites dont have to cause webbing but spider mites do. That’s why they are called “spider” mites. There are spider mites AND leaf miners on these plant leaves. Spider mites attack all sorts of plants. |
Spraying
the tree with a miticide is probably a good decision if nothing else has
worked. Miticides are insecticides that are good at controlling mites. Select
an insecticide from the shelf at your nursery or garden center that says it
controls mites on the label. The active ingredients on the label of the
insecticide might include chemicals like Azobenzene, Dicofol, Ovex, or
Tetradifon among others.
Unfortunately
spraying with a miticide might cause you to spray again because of other pest
problems. That’s why I tell you to try other methods first.
spraying with a miticide might cause you to spray again because of other pest
problems. That’s why I tell you to try other methods first.