Fruit Bites June 29-July 2 Drought & Mites

BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. With us as always is Valent’s Allison Walston. And this week Allison, we are talking about our record high temps and how that might lead to mites!

AW: Bob, it’s so hot. While other pests like aphids & pear psylla dry up during hot temperatures, mites thrive! Their generations become shorter so populations can quickly explode.

BL: which mite are growers worried about?

AW: two-spotted spider mite. They like hot, dry and dusty areas. Mites start along gravel roads adjacent to the orchard. Pears can’t endure much mite feeding, so leaves show brown splotches and then start to drop. Cherries and apple leaves can handle a bit more mites, but you’ll see leaves begin to bronze or look stippled.

BL: what are some options to prevent mites?

AW: Apply Zeal early to prevent females from laying viable eggs and stop young mites from molting. If populations are building fast, include a knockdown miticide and get residual control from Zeal.

BL: Well, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I’m Bob Larson.