Summer thunderstorms bring warm moisture from the gulf, but carry pests that normally do not over winter in the northern climates. Shrubs and trees may be showing signs of drought, but it could actually be aphids or mites sucking the "juice" out of your landscape. Up Star Gold (bifenthrin) or Flora-mek are two good miticides.
Jerry Deziel
Sales Representative
Reinders Inc.
The twospotted spider mite has a very wide host range and may feed on the foliage of more than 200 species of plants. Hot and dry weather conditions favor twospotted spider mite populations. In light infestations the foliage will appear to be speckled with tiny yellowish-green spots. If the mite population increases the foliage may turn tan or brown. Close examination may reveal very fine webbing produced by the mites.
ReplyDeleteThe spruce spider mite is a "cool season" mite more damaging to spruces, pines, junipers and arborvitae in spring and fall.