06. Sept. 2023

Historically, I have thrips and spider mite pressure on my crops, what can I do to prevent this?

Gurken

Gurken

Firstly, effective crop scouting is the keystone and foundation of IPM successful programmes. Our scouting software Crop-Scanner can help you organise and store your observations. Regular monitoring is essential to detect pests and diseases as early as possible, enabling prompt action to be taken.

For effective thrips and whitefly control, we recommend a preventative strategy based on A. swirskii (Swirskii-System). This predatory mite actively searches for thrips larvae, as well as whitefly eggs and early larval instars. Besides this, a good swirskii population also helps control the first two-spotted spider mites to appear.

If you experience a sudden thrips explosion it’s crucial to take immediate action to prevent further damage. We strongly recommend:

  • Increasing monitoring and create physical barriers with sticky traps and rolls
  • Releasing extra loose Amblyseius swirskii (Swirskii-System)
  • As soon as plants start flowering, releasing Orius-System to complete control of adult thrips.

A preventive strategy can pay dividends in glasshouses where two-spotted spider mite is a particular challenge. To take action against spider mites remaining from the first crop, introduce our Californicus-Breeding-System. For best results, it is best to hang the majority of sachets at the height of the facades and concrete paths - where the pest tends to hide.

If you detect spider mite hotspots, Phytoseiulus-System is the answer. This voracious predatory mite excels at combatting these outbreaks quickly.

In addition, the gall midge Feltiella-System is also proving its worth in cucumbers. Winged adults, with good searching ability, can locate spider mite hotspots throughout the crop, with the larvae helpfully devouring the pest at every stage of development.