From: James R. Baker and Stephen B. Bambara, Extension Entomologists
Evidently the wet weather is driving millipedes out of the mulch and
onto sidewalks, driveways, decks and into homes through loose door
jambs. Garden millipedes feed only on decaying organic matter and
consequently do not harm living plants unless the soil is allowed
to dry out to the point that the millipedes then feed on the roots
to obtain moisture. In the past, we have heard from folks who
sweep up bushel basket quantities of millipedes from their drives
and patios day after day. Apparently millipede numbers build up in
the yard and surrounding woods until the population is very large.
At the next rain, they emerge onto walks, patios, drives and crawl
into dwellings. Ornamentals and Turf Insect Note Number 88
provides information on the biology and control of millipedes.
This note suggests there is some hope of controlling millipedes.
However, millipedes are amazingly difficult to control, even with
pesticides. Millipedes require a damp environment; therefore, dry
weather will drive them back into the mulch or surrounding woods.
Arthropod populations vary greatly from year to year, so there is
a good chance that the situation will not occur every year.
The most common spider mite pest of conifers in North Carolina is the spruce spider mite. The spruce spider mite is one of the cool weather mites. Spruce spider mites do most of their damage in spring and fall. Often, foliage does not turn brown until the mites have departed. Also, spruce spider mites tend to feed on the older growth. Spruce spider mites are relatively inactive in very cold weather and tend to die out in hot weather. Because the spruce spider mite tends to feed on older growth, thorough coverage with pesticide is necessary to get the pesticide inside the plant where the mites are feeding. Spruce spider mite eggs are round, but flattened horizontally and have a diagnostic stripe (thread) projecting up from the center much like that of the southern red mite egg. This mite is not particularly resistant to miticides. Kelthane is the old standby for spider mite control. If that is unavailable, then one of the horticultural oils or Cygon will do the job. The horticultural oils are effective for spider mites and they also control armored scale insects. Cygon is also effective and has the advantage of being systemic.
The southern red mite is the most common spider mite pest of hollies and other broad
leafed evergreens in the landscape. It is one of the cool weather
mites that does the most damage in spring and fall. They are
relatively inactive in cold weather and often die out in bitterly
cold weather (and very hot weather) much like the spruce spider
mite. Only the eggs survive these inclement periods. One of the horticultural oils
should give adequate control of these mites. Ornamentals and Turf
Insect Note Number 77 has additional information on the biology and
control of these mites.
Web page last updated on January 23, 1997 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr..
