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5 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Gall mites

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5 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Gall Mites on Plants

You may have heard of gall mites before, especially if you have apple, walnut, and maple trees. These pesky creatures can be difficult to get rid of.

If you’re dealing with a gall mite infestation, don’t worry too much. In this post, we’ll discuss some natural ways to control them.

Identification

What are gall mites? Well, they’re microscopic animals that live on some plants and cause abnormal growths [1].

The good news is that there are some natural ways to deal with them. The first step is to identify the mites, and the best way to do that is to carefully inspect the plant.

Each species has its own symptoms [2]. For example, if you notice pinkish-red bumps on maple leaves, those are likely maple bladder gall mites chewing on the leaves.

Once you’ve identified the mites, you can start treating the problem.

How to Get Rid of Gall Mites Naturally

If you have gall mites in your garden, there are a few things you can do to control them. One is to prune affected plants. You can also try using horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.

Below are other organic ways to deal with the problem.

1. Cut Off Any Infected Areas

You’ll want to cut off any infected areas. If you see thickening of leaf margins or excessive hairy, felt-like growths, that’s a telltale sign of gall mites.

Eliminating infected leaves and branches will minimize the population. This method works best on maple trees and on fuchsia.

2. Ladybugs

Another option is to use ladybugs. Ladybugs are a great choice because they feed on mites and other plant pests and can help to get rid of them quickly.

Plus, they won’t harm your plants, and they’re really easy to work with. All you need to do is release them near the infested plants and let them do their thing.

Another plus? Ladybugs are pretty, so it’s an added bonus that you’ll be getting rid of pests while also adding some beauty to your garden.

Learn more about how to bring ladybugs into your garden.

3. Insecticidal Soap

Insecticidal soap is effective against a wide variety of pests. What’s great about it is that it’s generally non-toxic to humans and biodegradable.

It also doesn’t leave any harmful residues behind. This makes it a great choice for people who are concerned about the environment.

You can buy an insecticidal soap (this is a good brand) to kill gall mites, aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.

Alternatively, make a DIY home remedy. Just combine 2 ½ tablespoons of vegetable oil with 2 ½ tablespoons of organic liquid soap in a gallon of water. Shake well and use it on your plants.

It’s also effective against scales, mealybugs, and thrips. So if you’re dealing with an infestation of any of these pests, insecticidal soap is a good option to consider.

4. Green Lacewings

You can also control gall mites through the use of green lacewings.

Lacewings are little insect predators that are good to have in your garden. They’re perfect for getting rid of mites and other soft-bodied insects.

You can attract them or buy them from a garden center or online. After purchasing, all you have to do is release them near the plants that are affected.

Green lacewings are not going to solve the problem overnight, but they will help to get rid of the gall mites over time.

Moreover, these are God’s creations to help with certain pest problems around your yard and garden. So, by utilizing these helpful insects, you don’t have to worry about any chemicals getting into your garden.

5. Bonide All Seasons Horticultural and Dormant Spray Oil

You might also want to try Bonide All Seasons Horticultural and Dormant Spray Oil.

This product makes a great natural gall mite treatment. It is also safe for use on plants as it’s labeled “for organic gardening,” which means it’s approved for use in organic agriculture.

What makes this product so effective against maple bladder gall mite and others is that the oil coats the pests and suffocates them.

So if you’re seeing evidence of gall mites on your plants, give Bonide All Seasons Horticultural and Dormant Spray Oil a try. It just might be the solution you’re looking for.

Takeaway

Though this list of pest control remedies for gall mites is short, the methods have proved effective in dealing with the issue.

To recap, one way is to use horticultural oil. You can also prune affected plants. Another organic solution is to utilize ladybugs and green lacewings.

Try out a few or all of these suggestions and see which works best for you.

Picture via Flickr

Sasha Campbell

Sasha Campbell is a blogger and lover of all things natural.

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