Introduction

Biology

Damage

Cultural Control

Biological Control

Chemical Control

References

Links

Acknowledgments

Your turn

CULTURAL CONTROL

The best way to control a pest is to avoid it like the plague. Think of bamboo mites as contagious. Is this something you want to share with your friends? If not, then consider implementing a preventative pest management program. That can be best accomplished by the use of
· inspection,
· quarantine, and
· hot spot eradication.
Bamboo mites are monophagous mites, limited to few plant species. This works to our favor in control of the mite, as reintroduction potential is limited. Meticulous inspection of all new plant material is critical. Trade plants, not pests.

Quarantine new plant material away from other susceptible plants, downwind if possible. Systemically monitor new and existing plants on a regular basis to locate possible mite populations. If possible, isolate infested plants from non-infested plants. Work from the non-infested areas of the nursery prior to working in infested areas. Many spider mite species hitchhike on clothing.

Repeated spot applications in infested areas have been successful in some sites.

Several growers are working with the 'slash and burn' concept. They remove most of the above ground foliage of infested plants and burn or otherwise dispose of the foliage. They then treat the emerging foliage to kill any remaining pest mites. Although severe, this treatment may be the only practical solution for heavily infested sites, particularly where chemical application presents difficulties. The U.S.D.A. Agriculture Handbook 193 mentions the use of hot water treatment for dormant rhizomes to eliminate mites. It suggests immersing them for ten minutes in hot water at 50ºC (122ºF) then heeling into sand or sawdust and kept cool until planting time in the spring.