Pest Control Grand Prairie, TX Pros On Fighting against Citrus Mites

A seasoned Texan gardener who grows citrus trees for aesthetics and fresh crops should know everything about Texan citrus mites – as these little critters are some of the most prevalent citrus-loving pests in the area. While citrus trees are relatively easy to care for and to cultivate in the backyard or even in pots, they often become the victims of an invisible predator. You may have a small nice citrus orchard on your property or just a few trees here and there for looks, fragrance and delicious crops, it doesn’t matter. The Texan citrus mites will attack your trees without discrimination. Today, our pest control Grand Prairie, TX experts decided to offer you a quick guide on citrus mites and some advice on how to keep them at bay.

What Are Citrus Mites?

There are plenty of citrus mites’ varieties, but in Texas you will find the Texas mite and the rust mite more often. Citrus mites are incredibly small insects – around 1/65 inch long – this is why they can pass unnoticed until it is too late. While they are not dangerous in small numbers, if left uncontrolled they can cause incommensurable damage to your citrus trees. Some varieties breed every 20 days, while others every 12 days. An adult female can lay 20 to 50 eggs deposited on both sides of a citrus tree leaf. The citrus mite populations increase and become significantly dangerous in spring, late summer and early autumn in response to the trees’ new growth stages.

What Damages Do the Texas Citrus Mites Cause?

Texan citrus mites and rust mites feed on the entire tree, with a preference for the tree’s leaves and fruits.

• Tree’s leaves get a silvery, etched appearance or feature yellow necrotic spots.
• If the fruits present dark brown or black areas and feature thick rind spots, it is time to call your pest control Grand Prairie, TX experts for a proper evaluation and deterrence program.

Other signs of a Texas citrus mite infestation are described as distorted and stunt fruits and tree twigs presenting necrotic patches, just like the leaves.

How Can One Control a Texas Citrus Mite Infestation?

Since you grow trees with edible fruits, chemical pest control should be out of the question. Pesticides get absorbed into the fruit, making them less safe for consumption, not to mention that heavy spraying or tree treatment can negatively impact the tree and the micro-ecosystem evolving around the tree. Some of the best pest control measures are organic:

• Keep your garden clean and your citrus trees well watered, nourished and pruned.
• Promote a healthy environment for wildlife – there are plenty of bird species feeding on citrus mites
• Introduce beneficial insects such as ladybugs, other mites that prey on citrus mites, ground beetles, green lacewings, and so on.

If you don’t know how to catch an early Texas citrus mite infestation or don’t have the skills to put an end to it, you can always ask your pest control Grand Prairie, TX team to assess the situation and come up with a viable and safe mite deterrence plan.