Imidacloprid in Forest Settings and Mites  
  

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TOPIC: Treating Hemlock Adelgid with Imidacloprid in Forest Setting and Mites
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/t/ae87c2265a9cd201?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Nov 16 2008 5:59 pm
From: John


Hello,
For approximately 7 months I've been treating wild forest hemlocks on
a 30 acre property in Murphy NC using the Kioritz soil injector and
concentrated imidacloprid (1.5-2g inch diameter). I've seen some
results this fall meaning many, but not all, of the treated trees have
no new cottony egg sac deposition. The trees range from ~ 30 inches in
diameter to less than 2 inches and there are a lot of them. All of the
trees are in deep woods. There are no landscape trees on the property.
This long preamble leads to the question of mites (?spruce) or other
pests. I've read that Imidacloprid is no longer preferred. Are these
mites a concern in wooded area natural hemlocks? Should I switch to
Safari and if so what concentration? How will I recognize the mites or
other pests.
Any help will be appreciated. I've been on a mission to treat and save
these fantastic trees and would hate to have been using the wrong
product.


==============================================================================
TOPIC: Treating Hemlock Adelgid with Imidacloprid in Forest Setting and Mites
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/t/ae87c2265a9cd201?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 18 2008 7:59 am
From: "Will Blozan"

John,

I have not seen spruce spider mites as a problem in wild trees much at all,
except at Cook Forest State Park in PA (no hwa there yet either). However,
trees in a woodland setting here in Asheville, NC can become aesthetically
destroyed by mite damage after treatment with imidacloprid (I call it
i-MITE-a-cloprid). I no longer use it in my business except on NPS contracts
or non-hemlock uses. Below are some examples of mite damaged hemlocks
treated with imidacloprid.

Imidacloprid is a great tool but, like any insecticide, has its associated
problems. Safari has not yet proven to spawn a mite flare but only time will
tell. It has not been in use nearly as long as imidacloprid.

You can contact me off-list for specifics.

Will F. Blozan

President, Eastern Native Tree Society
President, Appalachian Arborists, Inc.