Emily's Gardening Almanac Timely Tips from a Professional Gardening Expert

Boxwood Mites

Boxwood mite injury occurs mostly in the spring. The plants may be somewhat off-color from mite injury but usually boxwood mites do not cause dieback. It is very hard to see the actual mites so we look for the damage.

The boxwood mite feeds on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. They feed in a line and cause tiny pale lines that look like scratches on the plant surface when seen under a hand lens. They suck the plant cell contents which cause tiny white spots to form on the leaf.

Several generations of mites occur annually and sometimes damage can be noticed later in the year. The best time to treat is between the middle of February and the middle of May. The treatment recommendation from Raleigh is two treatments with an insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or another labeled miticide spaced 10 to 14 days apart during spring.

For informaton concerning this or other publications please contact Emily Revels, Extension Agent, Horticulture, at (910) 321-6870.

Created by Susan Johnson, System Administrator, May 2005