Can someone help me diagnose a problem with my boxwood shrubs?
Answers:
The boxwood mite or boxwood spider mite, is not an insect but is more closely related to spiders. The adult is green to yellowish brown in color, has eight legs and is tiny, about 1/64-inch long. Since mites are so small and early symptoms are not distinctive, it is easy to overlook the problem until a heavy infestation occurs and greater damage has occurred. This pest overwinters as eggs on the underside of leaves. The eggs hatch in the spring. Boxwood mites develop and breed rapidly, resulting in eight or more generations per year.
All stages of boxwood mite feed on both leaf surfaces. They pierce the leaf to suck out plant sap. During feeding, they inject toxic saliva, which results in stippling (tiny, yellow scratchlike spots) forming on the leaf’s upper surface. Boxwood mites prefer feeding on young leaves, but damage is most obvious on second- and third-year leaves. From a short distance, the infested boxwood appears unhealthy with a dingy silvery color.
Prevention and Control: Naturally occurring enemies of mites include various predator mites, ladybird beetles (ladybugs) and other insects. These predators will usually suppress mite populations. Since insecticide use kills predators as well as mites, insecticides should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
To determine whether insecticide use is needed, it helps to know how many mites are present. Hold a white sheet of paper under a branch and strike the branch. The mites that are knocked off will be seen crawling around on the paper. If more than 15 mites are seen per whack, serious damage can result.
Mites can be removed with a strong spray of water, if applied on a regular basis. Horticultural oil applied at the summer rate will kill eggs and adult mites. Insecticidal soaps can also provide control when applied before population numbers get too high. Insecticides labeled for homeowner use against boxwood mites include insecticidal soaps and hexakis (Ortho Systemic Insect Killer 0.5% EC or Ortho Orthenex Garden Insect & Disease Control 0.75% EC). These products should be applied when mites are present and again in seven to 10 days. As with all pesticides, read and follow all label instructions and precautions.
Hope this helps!
Other answers:
Yes, it is a form of fungis,and you need to go to Lowes and get some fugis spray for it,and it could kill your bushes too if not treated in time.
Yes, it is a form of fungis,and you need to go to Lowes and get some fugis spray for it,and it could kill your bushes too if not treated in time.
Dont feed the wild aminals