Russet Mite Insecticide for Commercial Growers

Protecting crops from russet mites is important for commercial growers as these pests can cause damage, leading to reduced yields and financial losses.

While synthetic insecticides can manage these pests, they often come with significant drawbacks. Chemicals in these insecticides can harm the environment, leaving residues that affect plant growth and create unpleasant odors.

That's why Environmental Plant Management offers you a safer and more effective solution—Protection Plus™.

By choosing our natural insecticide, you benefit from a solution that not only eradicates these pests but also supports the overall health and vigor of your plants.

Efficacy testing proves
Protection Plus insecticide spray kills:
98% russet mites on first application.

Russet Mite Infestations

Commercial growers often face various challenges when cultivating crops, one of the most troublesome being russet mite infestations.

Russet mites, which are nearly invisible to the naked eye, attack crops such as hemp and tomatoes, causing visible damage. Due to their small size, russet mites can easily spread via clothing, other insects, and debris. If left untreated, they can significantly reduce crop yields and quality.

Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate russet mites promptly to prevent severe damage symptoms and ensure the health and productivity of the crops.

 

Stages of the Russet Mite Life Cycle

• Egg Stage: Russet mites lay their eggs on the surface of leaves, usually in large numbers. Optimal conditions for hatching include warm temperatures and high humidity, allowing the eggs to hatch quickly and start the infestation.
• Growth Period: Once hatched, nymphs begin feeding on the plant, rapidly maturing in just a few days. During this period, their feeding weakens the plant, making early intervention critical to stopping the infestation from escalating.
• Mature Mites: Adult russet mites have a short lifespan, but they play a key role in spreading the infestation across the plant. While they primarily stay on the leaves, some adults may use the soil to reach new areas, attacking the plant from multiple points.

 

Identifying Russet Mite Eggs

Russet mite eggs are extremely small and unable to be seen with the naked eye. When comparing their size to trichomes, the eggs are significantly smaller and less noticeable.

Initially, the eggs appear clear but transition to an opaque color before finally turning orange after treatment. This color change can help growers identify treated eggs and assess the effectiveness of their pest management strategies.

Recognizing these eggs early is important to controlling the mite population and protecting the crops from extensive russet mite damage when the pests reproduce.

 

Key Considerations Before Applying Protection Plus™

Protection Plus™ is formulated with plant and grower welfare in mind, but several considerations are crucial for maintaining its safety and effectiveness.

• Proper Storage: Store Protection Plus™ in a cool, shaded area, keeping temperatures between 32°F and 130°F to prevent the bottles from bursting.
• Ingredient Awareness: The ingredients of Protection Plus™ are citric acid, water, yeast, soap, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate. Before using, verify that you do not have allergies to any of these ingredients.
• Safety Equipment: Using protective eyewear, gloves, and a mask minimizes exposure and enhances safety during application.
• Essential Plant Preparation Practices: Maximizing treatment benefits begins with essential plant preparation practices. This involves ensuring proper hydration and flushing and monitoring EC/PPM levels before applying Protection Plus™.

 

Hydration and Flushing

Making sure that your plants are fully hydrated is important before applying an insecticide for mites. Adequate hydration ensures that the plants are healthy and can withstand the treatment without stress. This step also prevents the plants from absorbing excessive amounts of the treatment, which could reduce its effectiveness.

Additionally, flushing the plants helps to remove any excess salts and nutrients as they provide a more nutritious environment where russet mites may thrive. This can lead to large populations of pests that are more challenging to control with standard insecticide applications.

To flush plants, start by watering them thoroughly until the soil is saturated. Continue to apply water until the run-off is clear.

 

Monitoring EC/PPM Levels

Another important step in maintaining optimal growing conditions is monitoring the electrical conductivity (EC) and parts per million (PPM) of the run-off. These measurements indicate the concentration of nutrients and salts in the soil.

To monitor EC/PPM levels, collect the runoff water after flushing the plants and test it using an EC/PPM meter. The goal is to match the EC/PPM levels of the runoff to the water used for flushing.

Repeat the flushing procedure until the readings are consistent. This ensures that excess nutrients are removed, providing an optimal environment for the insecticide to work effectively.

Application Methods and Best Practices for Hemp and Other Crops

Effective pest control for russet mites requires proper application methods and best practices, especially for hemp and similar crops.

Protection Plus™ provides a variety of effective application methods designed for diverse growing conditions and pest management needs.

Using the right techniques ensures that insecticides are applied efficiently, targeting pests while minimizing plant stress. This involves specific strategies for treating both soil and plant surfaces, as well as adhering to a detailed treatment schedule.

 

Soil and Plant Treatment

For effective pest control, it's important to target both the soil and the plant with Protection Plus™.

To start, ensure the plant is well-hydrated and wait one hour. Then, spray the soil surface with our best insecticide for mites to penetrate about a quarter inch deep, addressing insects that may be crawling at the base. This approach ensures that any pests hiding in the soil are effectively reached.

Additionally, treat the leaves and stems thoroughly to cover crawlers, breeders, and eggs. Ensure every part of the plant is coated, including the underside of leaves and stems, to maximize the contact with the insecticide.

However, exercise caution when dealing with flowers and buds. Avoid unnecessary moisture, including water, on buds and blooms to prevent cosmetic alterations. Apply the minimal effective amount of Protection Plus™ only when essential to combat potential pest threats that could harm the crop.

 

Infestation Application Strategy

Developing a detailed spraying schedule is vital for quickly controlling russet mite infestations, tailored to the severity of the issue and the desired treatment approach.

For aggressive treatment, initiate three applications of Protection Plus™ on the first day, ensuring each application dries between treatments. Follow up with single applications on days two, three, and four, then allow for a break on days five and six. On day seven, apply once more and maintain this schedule every three days until the infestation subsides.

Moderate infestations call for a different approach, starting with an initial application on day one, followed by treatments on days four and seven. Repeat this cycle every three days to maintain control over the russet mites.

As a preventive measure, apply Protection Plus™ once a week and monitor plant health regularly for any signs of infestation. Adjust the frequency of applications based on observed mite activity to stop outbreaks before they escalate.

Keep in mind that russet mites that come into contact with Protection Plus™ may die within a timeframe of 3 seconds to 24 hours, depending on the thickness of their exoskeleton. Because some of them may still lay eggs before dying, regular applications are essential to eliminate both adult mites and their newly laid eggs.
 

Protection Plus™ for Effective Russet Mite Control

With its high efficacy, safety, and ease of use, Protection Plus™ has established itself as a reliable defense against russet mites.

Unlike other natural insecticides, Protection Plus™ is an oil-free solution that not only eradicates existing russet mite infestations with the first application, but also eliminates chances of insecticide resistance. Its high effectiveness comes without risk, ensuring it's safe for use around plants, growers, and pets.

Protection Plus™ also contributes to plant health by reducing biofilm on roots through application after the plant has been hydrated. This process improves nutrient absorption and supports robust root systems. Additionally, the product's versatility allows for application via foliar spray, soil drench, or dip, catering to various pest management strategies.

When it comes to effective, safe, and simple russet mite solutions that also promote plant health, Protection Plus™ offers unmatched reliability for growers.

 

Dosage and Equipment

For effective control of russet mites, it is crucial to use the recommended dosage of insecticide.

Typically, a concentration of 4 ounces per gallon of water is advised when using Protection Plus™ as a foliar spray. Additionally, using an airless sprayer, electrostatic sprayer or cold fogger can significantly enhance the application process. Airless sprayers provide a fine mist that evenly coats the plant's surface without excessive pressure, ensuring thorough coverage of leaves, stems, and soil.

This method reduces the likelihood of missing any mites and ensures that the insecticide reaches all infested areas.

 

Maintenance and Monitoring

Regular maintenance and monitoring are essential to ensure russet mite control with Protection Plus™. After initial application, continue monitoring plants closely to assess mite activity and plant health. Inspect both upper and lower leaf surfaces, as well as stems, for any signs of mite resurgence or new infestations.

For ongoing maintenance, reapply Protection Plus™ as needed according to the application strategy and based on environmental conditions. This proactive approach helps maintain a protective barrier against russet mites and supports continued plant health.

In addition to regular applications, consider implementing cultural practices that discourage mite populations, such as pruning affected plant parts and removing debris where mites might harbor. Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques can further enhance the effectiveness of Protection Plus™ by reducing overall pest pressure and creating an inhospitable environment for mites to thrive.

 

Contact Us

To learn more about Protection Plus™ or effectively eradicating russet mites, feel free to contact us today!

Our knowledgeable team is available to provide detailed information, support in finding a distributor, and guidance when applying for our Commercial Grower Purchasing Program.  If you are interested in distributing our products, please fill out our reseller application.


Trust Environmental Plant Management for reliable insect control solutions that ensure your crops thrive and remain free from pests.