How To Kill Russet Mites

Damage | Life Cycle | Control | Products

Want to get rid of Russet Mites on your plants?  You’re in the right place.

We know the challenges growers face every day, because we’re growers too.  You need a product that works every time and support that will help you regain control of your garden so you can spend your time on more important tasks!

Below we will cover how to identify and get rid of Russet Mites FAST with Instant Mite Killer!

What is a Russet Mite?

The Hemp Russet Mite is the scourge of the cannabis industry. Just as damaging as spider mites and even harder to detect.

They are smaller, measuring in at .02mm you need a microscope to see them. They have a pale beige body and do not leave a web like spider mites do.

As if that wasn’t bad enough they also lay their eggs INSIDE the plant after making their homes on the stems and branches. They have a 30 day lifecycle and lay between 10-50 eggs at a time.

They are literally killing the plant from the inside out feeding off of the leaves and the resin while breeding inside the plant.

Russet Mite Damage

Unlike other pests which may stick to just the leaves a Russet Mite infestation will show signs all over the plant. To detect you need to look next to the vein of the leaf for mites and use a microscope to diagnose.

Be careful when determining a Russet Mite infestation as it can often be mistaken for a vitamin deficiency in your plants. Remember that unlike other pests this one manifests all over the plant. Check for the following symptoms:

Leaves: Yellowing, Browning, Leaves Curling at edges, yellow or brown spots, drooping and stunting of new growth.

Flowers: Sad light brown colored buds.

Russet Mite Life Cycle: 8 – 15 Days

Russet mites lay clear, round eggs in the spring. After hatching, they go through two developmental nymph stages, which resemble adults. Developmental time varies from 8-15 days based on environmental conditions.

How to Control Russet Mites

Treat your plants with Instant Mite Killer for six weeks after initial treatment to be certain. Whichever pesticide you use, try to aim for fifteen minutes before lights out, so the affected leaves don’t burn! If your plants are suffering from consistent pesticide use, consider supplementing IMK with diatomaceous earth. A varied approach is, again, best with russet & broad mites

It’s important to control mites with effective natural and organic methods.

Prune leaves, stems and other infested parts of plants well past any webbing and discard in trash (and not in compost piles). Don’t be hesitant to pull entire plants to prevent the mites spreading to its neighbors.

Tip: Management strategies must take into account the fast development time of this pest, especially during warm weather when eggs are laid continuously. Just targeting the adults will do little good if eggs and larvae survive. Repeat treatments are almost always necessary. The use of leaf shines and washes helps control and prevent further infestations.