Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook

Tomato-Spider mite

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Image related to Tomato-Spider mite
Tetranychus unknown
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection

Tetranychus spp.

Pest description, crop damage and life history

See:

Common Pests of Vegetable Crops

Management-biological control

Spider mite populations are held down in cool conditions early in the season by various predators such as pirate and big-eyed bugs. Predator mites are effective predators of spider mites and are available.

Management-cultural control

Avoid early season applications of insecticides, which will reduce populations of beneficial insects. Spider mite infestations are favored by dry, dusty conditions, so avoid creating these problems and stressing the plants. Mites can be hosed from plants with a strong stream of water. Excessive nitrogen fertilization may cause population buildup.

Management-chemical control: HOME USE

  • azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • bifenthrin (often as a mix with zeta-cypermethrin).
  • horticultural oil-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • insecticidal soap-Complete coverage, especially of undersides of leaves, is essential. Repeat applications may be required. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • plant-derived essential oils (cottonseed, clove, garlic, etc.) have proven effective against mites. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • sulfur (often as a mix with pyrethrins).

Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE

  • abamectin (Agri-Mek SC) at 0.009 to 0.019 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed two sequential applications or 0.056 lb ai/a per season.
  • acequinocyl (Kanemite 15SC, Shuttle O) at 0.3 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 21 days. Do not exceed 0.6 lb ai/a per season.
  • bifenazate (Acramite 50WS) at 0.375 to 0.5 lb ai/a. PHI 3 days. REI 12 hr. Limit 1 field treatment per year.
  • bifenazate (Floramite SC) at 0.063 to 0.125 lb/100 gal. PHI 3 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 1 lb ai/a per season. Limit 2 treatments. For greenhouse application only.
  • bifenthrin (Brigade WSB) at 0.033 to 0.08 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 10 days. Limit 4 treatments. Do not exceed 0.32 lb ai/a per season.
  • bifenthrin/avermectin (Athena) at 0.09 to 0.12 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 10 days. Do not exceed 0.056 lb ai/a avermectin or 0.2 lb ai/a bifenthrin per season.
  • bifenthrin/zeta-cypermethrin (Hero EW) at 0.1 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 10 days. Do not exceed 0.42 lb ai/a per season. Limit 4 treatments.
  • borate complex (Prev-Am Ultra) apply at 0.4% solution. Spray to complete coverage. REI 12 hr. OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • chlorfenapyr (Pylon) at 0.1 to 0.2 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.6 lb ai/a per season. Greenhouse only. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not use on tomato varieties with a diameter of less than one inch when mature.
  • cyflumetofen (Nealta) at 0.179 lb ai/a. PHI 3 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 14 days. Do not exceed 0.357 lb ai/a, Knockdown only. Application should be timed to coincide with recommended miticide treatment.
  • etoxazole (TetraSan) at 0.025 to 0.625 lb ai/100 gal (covers about 20,000 sq ft). PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. (indoor grown only). Do not exceed 2 applications per cropping season. Do not exceed 1.25 lb per acre per application.
  • fenpropathrin (Danitol 2.4EC) at 0.2 lb ai/a. PHI 3 days. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.8 lb ai/a per season.
  • fenpyroximate (Miteus) at 0.105 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.21 lb ai/a per season. Limit 2 applications. Retreatment interval 14 days.
  • hexythiazox (Onager) at 0.94 to 1.88 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. One treatment. Greenhouse only.
  • insecticidal soap (M-Pede) at 2% solution. See label for gal/a rate. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • malathion (Malathion 8) at 1.5 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Limit 4 treatments.
  • Metarhizium anisopliae (Met52 EC) at 40 to 80 fl oz/100 gal as drench or 8 to 64 fl oz/a foliar. PHI 0. REI 4 hr.
  • propyleneglycol monolaurate (Acaritouch) at 12 to 25 oz/100 gal of formulated product. PHI 1 day. REI 4 hr.
  • spiromesifen (Oberon 2SC) at 0.11 to 0.13 lb ai/a PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Limit 3 treatments per year. Do not exceed 0.4 lb ai/a per season.

Kaur, N. (Ed.). 2024 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook.
© Oregon State University.

Use pesticides safely!

  • Wear protective clothing and safety devices as recommended on the label. Bathe or shower after each use.
  • Read the pesticide label—even if you’ve used the pesticide before. Follow closely the instructions on the label (and any other directions you have).
  • Be cautious when you apply pesticides. Know your legal responsibility as a pesticide applicator. You may be liable for injury or damage resulting from pesticide use.

Trade-name products and services are mentioned as illustrations only. This does not mean that the participating Extension Services endorse these products and services or that they intend to discriminate against products and services not mentioned.