Unfortunately, apple trees are not spared from mite infestation. We'll show you which types of mites colonize the wood and what you can do to combat the little pests.
What to do if there are mites on the apple tree?
If infested with fruit tree spider mites or apple rust mitesremove the affected leavesand shoots. Put outpackages of predatory mites and promote the establishment of beneficial insects. To protect other insects, chemical control should only be carried out in exceptional cases.
What does the fruit tree spider mite look like?
The red spider (Panonychus ulmi) is4 millimeters longand can be seen with the naked eye as amoving, crimson dot. Initially, selective brightening appears near the leaf vein, later on the entire leaf.
You can discover the tiny, red eggs in winter near the buds, in the forks of branches and on the underside of branches. The first generation of fruit tree spider mites hatches from them before the buds break open.
How is the fruit tree spider mite controlled?
The fruit tree spider mite can be controlled very wellwith biological measures:
- Check your apple tree for pest eggs in winter.
- Shower affected trees, especially the undersides of the leaves, thoroughly with water.
- Beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings, predatory bugs and predatory mites greatly reduce the number of spider mites. To protect these beneficial insects, you should not use chemical sprays.
- In gardening stores you can get packages containing the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri (€20.00 on Amazon), which is also successfully used against the red spider in commercial fruit cultivation.
How do I recognize the apple rust mite?
Auculus meinedali, the rust mite, is only0.2 millimeters longand isonly visible with a magnifying glass. It is yellowish-brown in color and appears as a tiny dot on the leaves of the apple tree.
Due to the sucking activity, they initially turn yellow, then later rusty brown. The top of the leaf loses its shine and the foliage begins to curve downwards.
Especially the apple varieties:
- Braeburn,
- Elstar,
- Gala,
- Jonagold
are quite often attacked by this pest.
How can apple rust mite be controlled?
The most important measure against these mites is thepromotion of predatory mites, larvae of hoverflies and lacewings. Avoid chemical spraying in your garden, as many beneficial insects fall victim to this.
If the infestation is severe, you should remove the leaves from the lower third of the long shoots of the apple tree in June and those from the middle area in July.
There are currently no sprays approved against the apple rust mite.
Tip
Keep an eye on apple trees in the area
If your neighbors report that your apple trees are infested with pest insects, you should thoroughly inspect your own trees. Unfortunately, the pests have almost always settled in the area. If you act quickly, the damage can usually be contained quickly and you can avoid using chemical preparations.