Tomato Russet Mites - Identification and Control

rnewste · August 2, 2010

This just received from Cynthia at Love Apple Farm:

"""The heartbreak of TRM:

Holly Hayes, the venerable, much-missed garden writer for the San Jose Mercury News, wrote about "The Heartbreak of Tomato Russet Mite" back in 2007.

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/garden/...o-russet-mite/

Well, the dreaded microscopic insect has reared its ugly little head again in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it seems to be running rampant. Signs of infestation are yellowing, browning, wilting and eventual death of the plant. All from something you can't see!

Although Holly suggested sulfur to control the mite, I've found that you may want to take faster action. A product with a miticide in it is the ticket. Organically speaking, several insectides help with mites. The one I like is called Azatrol and it's available at Mt. Feed & Farm in Ben Lomond or at some hydroponic stores. Call around to find out what sort of pesticides your local nurseries may have that control mites.

We've had a cooler than normal spring and early summer here in coastal central California, and that has helped spread the mite.

Don't delay. You will lose your plants if you don't take care of this! If you already have, consider an advance, prophylactic spray next year. Or better yet, get a 30x hand lens and monitor your plant's leaves, looking for signs of the tiny, oval-shaped mite.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783400111.html

Other plants in your garden may be affected too: peppers, eggplants, potatoes, tomatillos are all sister plants of tomatoes and the russet mite likes them as well. So you may want to spray those crops with the Azatrol along with your tomatoes.

This pest has brought even the most experienced gardener down. Don't despair, there is always next year. Never give up learning about your garden and trying to make it right."""

What Next??

Raybo

sprtsguy76 · August 2, 2010

Ray I have had problems with TRM for years now with my inground tomatoes. Not so much a problem in containers, for me anyways. They thrive in dry soil. And yes the tell tale sign of them is the bottom up bronzing effect. Best way to control them I have found is make sure the soil is always moist, not damp but moist. I've tried sprays, mite sprays in paticular and never had luck with them. Never tried sulfur treatments but I hear that they can be effective. But like with anything if your not real thorough with treatment they come right back! Since we had a fairly wet winter and cool spring here I havent seen any really significant damage here in my garden YET.

Damon

rnewste · August 2, 2010

Damon,

Cynthia is recommending Azatrol, so I think I will give it a go.

Raybo

tam91 · August 7, 2010

Every reference I have seen to these mites was from CA - are they just a CA thing, or do we have them in the midwest too?

A new member has suggested they are my problem with one plant.

August 2, 2010	#1
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Tomato Russet Mites - Identification and Control This just received from Cynthia at Love Apple Farm: """The heartbreak of TRM: Holly Hayes, the venerable, much-missed garden writer for the San Jose Mercury News, wrote about "The Heartbreak of Tomato Russet Mite" back in 2007. http://blogs.mercurynews.com/garden/...o-russet-mite/ Well, the dreaded microscopic insect has reared its ugly little head again in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it seems to be running rampant. Signs of infestation are yellowing, browning, wilting and eventual death of the plant. All from something you can't see! Although Holly suggested sulfur to control the mite, I've found that you may want to take faster action. A product with a miticide in it is the ticket. Organically speaking, several insectides help with mites. The one I like is called Azatrol and it's available at Mt. Feed & Farm in Ben Lomond or at some hydroponic stores. Call around to find out what sort of pesticides your local nurseries may have that control mites. We've had a cooler than normal spring and early summer here in coastal central California, and that has helped spread the mite. Don't delay. You will lose your plants if you don't take care of this! If you already have, consider an advance, prophylactic spray next year. Or better yet, get a 30x hand lens and monitor your plant's leaves, looking for signs of the tiny, oval-shaped mite. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783400111.html Other plants in your garden may be affected too: peppers, eggplants, potatoes, tomatillos are all sister plants of tomatoes and the russet mite likes them as well. So you may want to spray those crops with the Azatrol along with your tomatoes. This pest has brought even the most experienced gardener down. Don't despair, there is always next year. Never give up learning about your garden and trying to make it right.""" What Next?? Raybo

August 2, 2010	#2
sprtsguy76 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Clara CA Posts: 1,125	Ray I have had problems with TRM for years now with my inground tomatoes. Not so much a problem in containers, for me anyways. They thrive in dry soil. And yes the tell tale sign of them is the bottom up bronzing effect. Best way to control them I have found is make sure the soil is always moist, not damp but moist. I've tried sprays, mite sprays in paticular and never had luck with them. Never tried sulfur treatments but I hear that they can be effective. But like with anything if your not real thorough with treatment they come right back! Since we had a fairly wet winter and cool spring here I havent seen any really significant damage here in my garden YET. Damon

August 7, 2010	#4
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	Every reference I have seen to these mites was from CA - are they just a CA thing, or do we have them in the midwest too? A new member has suggested they are my problem with one plant.