I have had a problem for several years with spider mites on my Dwarf Spruce's. Bad enough that I replaced several more than once. I have sprayed them with Malathion 50 after seeing some damage. My wife can not stand the smell of Malathion and I have heard that you can control mites with a mixture of dishwashing soap and water in a sprayer. If anyone has had any success with this or has any other idea that doesn't smell so bad as Malathion. Charlie T.
Mites are extremely tough to get control over, especially on those little Spruce trees as many insecticides will burn them. It takes patients and 3-4 applications timed just right, usually about 5 days apart or whatever the label says. Make sure the label says it will control mites, as most insecticide don't do much to them. My best luck with Mites even on the little Spruce trees is in the winter with Lime Sulphur. I have had very good success with this on many evergreen varieties. I have also used it in the summer with success, beware of burning. Can be applied on a cool wet almost rainy day, possibly at a 1% mixture with water, which should be about 1/4 strength of the label rates if memory serves me. It is strictly contact and will burn them right up. Jim.
