Miticides

A miticide is a chemical insecticide targeting mites harboring ornamental plants, such as spider mites. Miticides come in spray concentrate form and contain powerful active ingredients, resulting in a quick knockdown and fast kill.

Depending on the mite type, a miticide may quickly eliminate a mite infestation on an ornamental plant. Some miticides can kill the adult stage of mites and the larval and egg stages. Newer miticide products have improved older formulations by delivering better residual control.

Miticides are very easy to use. Simply mix a miticide with water in a handheld sprayer according to the label directions. The solution can then be sprayed onto the infested plant to attack the mites either via contact or a residual effect.

Shop our top recommended non-selective herbicides below. If you need help selecting the right miticide or would like more information on applying the product properly, our experienced pest experts will gladly help you.

Our Recommendations

Abamectin 0.15 EC Miticide - is an effective miticide that delivers long-lasting control of plant-eating insects. It works through contact to keep mites, aphids, thrips, and whiteflies off your plants and ornamentals.

We recommend this miticide because it is effective against various types of mite infestations while being safe and harmless to the plant that it is sprayed upon.

Miticides usually differ in their target mites and how quickly they deliver results. Before selecting a product, knowing what type of mites are infesting a plant is important. While there are miticides that carry a broad-spectrum label, these pesticides may also harm beneficial non-target insects that might come into contact with the product.

Tools Needed

• Pump Sprayer
• Selected Miticide

PPE

• Chemical Resistant Gloves
• Dust / Mist Mask
• Safety Glasses

How to Use Miticides

Step 1: Mix up the Miticide

Ensure you always read and follow the label instructions for proper mix and usage rates.

Determine how much miticide to use by measuring the square footage of the treatment area. You can do this by measuring the treatment area's length and width in feet and multiplying them together (length X width = square footage).

After you have the square feet to be treated, divide by 1,000 to get the number of finished gallons of spray you will need to use. For example, if you have 3,000 sq. ft. to treat, you will need (3,000/1,000) 3 gallons of solution.

To control mites, mix Abamectin 0.15 EC at the labeled rate of 8 fluid ounces per 200 gallons of water.

For smaller volume applications, this is equivalent to 0.04 fluid ounces per 1 gallon of water.

Do not apply less than 8 fluid ounces of product per acre. This is roughly equivalent to 0.2 fluid ounces per 1,000 square feet.

Step 2: Apply Abamectin 0.15 EC

Spray foliage, turf, and other plants where you’ve seen mite activity.

Use a fan or cone spray pattern to ensure the foliage is fully coated, and spray to the point of wet but not runoff.

Apply your solution when mites initially appear, then repeat every 7 days as needed to maintain control.

Benefits of Miticides

Miticides eliminate pests that often infest ornamental shrubbery and other desired plants.

Along with proper care and maintenance, these products are essential for the health of plants on your property.

Drawbacks of Miticides

Keep in mind miticides may be made with active ingredients that are also harmful to bees and other pollinators.

To avoid harm, apply miticides only when bees are not active.

Things To Consider

• Buy miticide at the right size and mix only what is needed for an application so there isn’t extra left behind. You may be penalized because pouring leftover miticide down the drain or onto the soil is illegal, and you can’t discard containers of miticide in the garbage.
• Store all miticides in their original packaging and out of the reach of children.

Key Takeaways

• Miticides are chemical products designed to kill a mite infestation completely while causing no harm to the plants being infested.
• Mix your selected miticide in a pump sprayer and apply liberally to the infested plant. Our top recommended miticide is Abamectin 0.15 EC Miticide.
• Don’t forget to spray the underside of leaves, as this is where most mites may be hiding.