Winter mites

Petroleum Oils. When satisfactorily stable kerosene—soap—water emulsions were produced in 1874, dormant (winter) oil sprays became widely used to control scale insects and mites (1). The first commercial emulsion or miscible oil was marketed in 1904 and by 1930 highly refined neutral or white oils, free from unsaturated hydrocarbons, acids, and highly volatile elements, were found to be safe when appHed to plant foHage, thus gready enlarging the area of usefulness of oil sprays (see Petroleum). 

All test treatments were applied approximately 1 month ahead of hatching and over a 2-day period. The writers (5) have shown that mite winter eggs become increasingly more susceptible to oil sprays as the hatching time approaches. Possible errors arising from this cause were avoided in these studies by limiting treating time to a 48-hour period. 

It is of particular importance to watch out for any signs of scab and mildew, as well as aphids, red spider mite and rust mite. Young splice or bnd grafts which are starting to sprout can be damaged by the grapevine weevil [Rhynchites conicus]. In some areas of Europe it is absolutely essential to check the nursery for voles before winter dormancy (catch them with traps or fumigate the burrows). 

In winter older wood is examined mainly to see if there are any overwintering stages of the San Jose scale or red spider mite. 

In the case of the red spider mite, treatment is necessary if the fingers are stained red by the winter eggs when wiping over the base of the branch. 

Winter eggs of the red spider mite are unlikely to be found, however, in an orchard with a stable balance between the red spider mite and predatory mites. 

The deutogynes (winter females) overwinter under bud scales, in cracks in the bark near bud scales, or under moss and algae on the bark. As soon as the buds open, the overwintering mites migrate to the rosette... 

Winter spraying calcium sulphide (200-250 kg/ha) is used for this. Spraying must be carried out during complete winter dormancy (i.e. before the first green leaf appears). At this high concentration the calcium sulphide solution destroys the scale insects. It also controls spider mites and other overwintering stages. 

Spider mites winter dormancy, check branch 800 eggs per 2 m In organic orchards... 

Cause Pear leaf blister mites. These microscopic mites live and feed on tissue inside leaves. They overwinter on buds and infest new leaves in spring. Spray plants in late winter with dormant oil or lime-sulfur. 

Branches with small masses of galls. Cause Ash flower gall mites. These tiny mites attack male flower clusters on white ash Fraxinus americana). Infested flowers develop abnormally, producing galls that dry and remain on the tree. Spray branches and galls with dormant oil in late winter for control. 

Predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Spider mites, especially Pacific and fwo-spotfed spider mife. Release 2-10 mites per plant on strawberries or garden or greenhouse plants at first sign af spider mites repeat if necessary in 2-3 weeks not winter hardy in most of U.S. doesn t perform well on tomatoes. Reliable, except in hot, dry conditions. 

Uses Control of over wintering of aphids, psyllids, ermine moths, winter moths, scale insects and spider mites on prone fruit, control on insects in vines, annual broadleaved weeds in cereals, maize, legumes, etc. 

Fall The bees are past swarming by this time, and the beekeeper can begin to relax and harvest the honey. Once you have removed the honey store and effectively taken away the bees winter food store, feed them with sugar syrup. It s also important to protect your hive from the Varroa mite, which carries a virus remove the supers and suspend two medicated plastic strips in the brood frame. The strips contain chemicals that are slowly released into the hive and kill the mites. Remove the strips after six weeks if you do detect an infection, treatment is possible, so seek professional advice. 

---