We love growing citrus trees in Texas and the Texas citrus mites love us for that. Citrus trees are not that hard to cultivate in pots or in the back yard for looks and delicious crops, but citrus mites may be relatively hard to keep at bay. There are plenty of mites varieties, but the Texas citrus mite is one of the most prevalent such pests in the area. The Texas citrus mite is a sneaky pest that can produce incommensurable damage to your citrus trees and crops if you don’t catch the infestation in its early stage. Luckily for everybody, we have our pest control Frisco, TX specialists with us today to offer a quick guide on controlling Texas citrus mites.
How Can You Tell Your Citrus Trees Are Attacked by Texas Citrus Mites?
Basically, you can’t… Unless you use a magnifying glass or you ask your pest control Frisco, TX team to evaluate the property and the citrus trees to find signs of a mites’ infestation. However, you should know that citrus mites are incredibly small creatures (this is why it is hard to spot them with the naked eye) – they measure around 1/65 inch in length. Some Texas citrus mites breed every 12 days, while other mites breed every 20 days. Keep in mind that an adult female can lay up to 50 eggs on both sides of a citrus tree leaf. With this rate of breeding, citrus mites’ populations can get out of control in no time. While they are particularly dangerous in spring, they can also cause a catastrophe in late summer in response to the citrus trees’ newer development stages.
How Can You Spot a Citrus Mites Infestation?
Texan citrus mites have a preference for the tree’s leaves and fruits, but they will feed on the entire tree with little discrimination. This is how you can diagnose an infestation:
- If your tree leaves present an etched silvery appearance and feature yellow necrotic spots, you have some mites to deal with.
- Look at the fruits and spot dark brown or black patches, rind spots, and / or necrotic tissue; distorted and stunt fruits – if you identified such problems, it is time to have some pest control Frisco, TX experts to help you implement a safe Texas citrus mites counterattack.
Texas Citrus Mite Control Measures
Chemical pest control should not be your first option, as pesticides get absorbed by the tree system, eventually altering the crops. When it comes to edible products, organic pest control measures are preferred, as they don’t negatively impact the environment, the crops and your health.
- Maintain your citrus trees well fed, watered and pruned.
- Allow wildlife to find a home on your property – the environmental approach promotes healthy environments with small animals, birds and beneficial insects to naturally prey on Texas citrus mites
- Mulch the trees with either organic or synthetic mulch to ensure a solid defense system against pests and weeds.
Always ask your pest control Frisco, TX experts for their advice on the correct Texas citrus mites control and extermination and enjoy your citrus crops all summer long!
