Gall mites cause noticeable damage to maple trees. Here you will find out how to recognize an infestation, what causes the pests on the tree and how you can fight the animals if necessary.
How do I recognize and combat gall mites on maple trees?
Gall mites on maple trees can be recognized by horn-shaped protuberances on the leaves, which turn red over time. Although they usually do not harm the maple, they can be combated by cutting off affected leaves and disposing of them correctly. Protective gloves are recommended.
How do I recognize a gall mite infestation on a maple tree?
Gall mites can be recognized bysquirrel-shaped protuberances on the upper side of the maple leaves. The small dots on the leaves take on a red color over time. This makes them stand out from the green leaves that many maple varieties have. You can therefore quickly recognize an infestation of the maple with the gall mite. Since the maple is one of the plants most affected by gall mites, the infestation can occur more frequently depending on the region.
How dangerous are gall mites for maple trees?
As a rule, gall mites are not so dangerous to the maplethat the tree could die. You can also leave the leaves with the gall mites on the maple tree. However, many gardeners remove them for visual reasons. If you intervene quickly, you can also limit the spread of the pests. This way you can also protect plants in the area surrounding the affected maple.
How do I combat gall mites on maple trees?
It is best to cut off theleaves that are infested with gall mites. This will prevent the small gall mites from spreading on the maple leaves before they hatch. Here's how to do it:
- Inspect the foliage of the affected maple tree.
- Put on protective gloves.
- Cut off affected leaves completely.
- Burn clippings or dispose of them in closed trash.
Also collect leaves with gall mites that have fallen from the tree and are lying under it.
What kind of gall mites attack maple trees?
The gall mites that attack maple trees are Eriophyidae. This is a specific subclass of mite. There are almost 300 different species of this type of mite. Since the animals themselves are only between 0.08 and 0.5 mm in size, you will not be able to see them with the naked eye. However, these pests typically cause noticeable protuberances on the leaves. You will hardly miss a gall mite infestation.
Are maple gall mites dangerous to humans?
Gall mites can cause itching orallergic reactions. In particularly unfavorable cases, individual animals could also transmit diseases such as typhus or Lyme disease. This is one more reason to remove the affected leaves from the maple tree. Because of this possibility of transmission, you should also wear protective gloves when removing leaves with gall mites from maple trees.
Tip
Selection of location prevents gall mite infestation
Choose a suitable location for the maple. If the plant receives just the right amount of moisture and sunshine, it is far less susceptible to pests like gall mites. So you can take targeted precautions here. There are also some maple varieties that are almost resistant to gall mites.
