Blister mites (a type of eriophyid
mite) are tiny, microscopic pests that can cause big problems when
they are allowed to get out of control. For home fruit growers, blister mite
damage is usually cosmetic, but problems for commercial fruit growers can be
significant. Read on for more information and learn how to control blister
mites in your garden.
What are Blister Mites?
The most common types of blister mite pests are pearleaf
blister mite and appleleaf blister mite. The mites may also attack various
plants such as cotoneaster,
hawthorn,
quince,
serviceberry,
and others.
The family of eriophyid mites also includes close cousins
such as citrus
bud mites, citrus
rust mites, pear
rust mites, redberry
mite, tomato russet mite, and peach silver mite.
Symptoms of Blister Mite Damage
Blister mite pests enter the tree in late summer or early
fall, overwintering until spring when they become active and feed on tender
leaf tissue – especially when the weather is cool.
When blister mite pests burrow into the leaves, they cause distortions and red or green pimple-like blisters that eventually turn black or brown as the tissue dies. Affected leaves may drop from the plant, in turn, causing fruit to be sunburned. Severe infestations can cause scarred or deformed fruit, especially in pears.
The good news is that blister mite pests are slow moving and
often affect only a single fruit tree or even a single branch. That bad news is
that once you notice signs of blister mite damage, it is usually too late to do
much about it.
How to Control Blister Mites
Remember that healthy trees are able to tolerate low
populations of blister mites. Water and fertilize properly to keep trees in
fighting condition.
Natural controls such as ladybugs, pirate bugs, lacewings, and predatory mites are critical for control of blister mite pests, and a healthy population of beneficial insects usually provides adequate control for fruit trees in the home garden.
Avoid toxic pesticides whenever possible, as killing
beneficial insects only makes the problem worse by allowing blister mites to
get the upper hand. Insecticidal soap sprays can be used to spot treat badly
affected areas.
You can also treat serious outbreaks in autumn using
horticultural oil. Dormant
oil is effective if you notice blisters starting in spring. Blister
mites can’t be treated during the summer months.
Blister mites (a type of eriophyid
mite) are tiny, microscopic pests that can cause big problems when
they are allowed to get out of control. For home fruit growers, blister mite
damage is usually cosmetic, but problems for commercial fruit growers can be
significant. Read on for more information and learn how to control blister
mites in your garden.
What are Blister Mites?
The most common types of blister mite pests are pearleaf
blister mite and appleleaf blister mite. The mites may also attack various
plants such as cotoneaster,
hawthorn,
quince,
serviceberry,
and others.
The family of eriophyid mites also includes close cousins
such as citrus
bud mites, citrus
rust mites, pear
rust mites, redberry
mite, tomato russet mite, and peach silver mite.
Symptoms of Blister Mite Damage
Blister mite pests enter the tree in late summer or early
fall, overwintering until spring when they become active and feed on tender
leaf tissue – especially when the weather is cool.
When blister mite pests burrow into the leaves, they cause distortions and red or green pimple-like blisters that eventually turn black or brown as the tissue dies. Affected leaves may drop from the plant, in turn, causing fruit to be sunburned. Severe infestations can cause scarred or deformed fruit, especially in pears.
The good news is that blister mite pests are slow moving and
often affect only a single fruit tree or even a single branch. That bad news is
that once you notice signs of blister mite damage, it is usually too late to do
much about it.
How to Control Blister Mites
Remember that healthy trees are able to tolerate low
populations of blister mites. Water and fertilize properly to keep trees in
fighting condition.
Natural controls such as ladybugs, pirate bugs, lacewings, and predatory mites are critical for control of blister mite pests, and a healthy population of beneficial insects usually provides adequate control for fruit trees in the home garden.
Avoid toxic pesticides whenever possible, as killing
beneficial insects only makes the problem worse by allowing blister mites to
get the upper hand. Insecticidal soap sprays can be used to spot treat badly
affected areas.
You can also treat serious outbreaks in autumn using
horticultural oil. Dormant
oil is effective if you notice blisters starting in spring. Blister
mites can’t be treated during the summer months.