--- title: Mites canonical: https://fernland.com.au/problem-solver/mites/ dateModified: 2026-08-07 09:31:44 summary: "Mites are minute sap-sucking arachnids that damage foliage, buds and turf, thriving in hot, dry conditions across nurseries and landscapes." type: article keywords: [Mites, Acari] --- # Mites > Mites are minute sap-sucking arachnids that damage foliage, buds and turf, thriving in hot, dry conditions across nurseries and landscapes. *Acari* Mites are tiny arachnids, not insects, that feed by piercing plant cells and removing contents, causing stippling, discolouration and reduced vigour. Common groups affecting Australian nursery, turf and landscape situations include spider mites (Tetranychidae), broad mites, rust mites and bryobia mites, each with slightly different host ranges and feeding habits. Populations build rapidly in warm, dry weather, particularly over spring and summer, and can be worsened by dusty conditions or plant stress. Many species complete their life cycle in a matter of days under favourable temperatures, allowing numbers to escalate quickly if left unchecked. They are often found on the underside of leaves, in leaf axils, or within developing shoots and buds. Management relies on regular monitoring, particularly during warm, dry periods, and maintaining plant health through appropriate irrigation to reduce moisture stress. Encouraging predatory mites and other beneficial arthropods, avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilisation, and reducing dust build-up around susceptible plantings can help limit outbreaks. Cultural controls and hygiene, such as removing heavily infested plant material, support broader integrated pest management strategies. ## How to identify - Fine stippling, silvering or bronzing on leaf surfaces - Fine webbing on foliage, stems or between leaves in heavier infestations - Distorted, curled or stunted new growth, particularly with broad or rust mites - Premature leaf yellowing, bronzing or leaf drop - Reduced plant vigour and, in turf, patches of discoloured or thinning grass - Tiny moving specks visible with a hand lens on the underside of leaves ## Registered products we stock - [Eco-Oil Miticide & Insecticide Botanical Oil Concentrate](https://fernland.com.au/eco-oil-miticide-insecticide-botanical-oil-concentrate/) — Organic Crop Protectants - [Fivestar Insecticide 80SC](https://fernland.com.au/fivestar-insecticide-80sc/) — PCT SureFire - [Azamax Insecticide](https://fernland.com.au/azamax-insecticide/) — Organic Crop Protectants - [Natrasoap Insecticidal Soap Spray](https://fernland.com.au/natrasoap-insecticidal-soap-spray/) — Agrobest - [Biff 100SC Insecticide](https://fernland.com.au/biff-100sc-insecticide/) — Colin Campbell Chemicals - [Stealth Miticide & Insecticide](https://fernland.com.au/stealth-miticide-insecticide/) — PCT CroPro - [Eco-Neem Botanical Insecticide](https://fernland.com.au/eco-neem-botanical-insecticide/) — Organic Crop Protectants - [Higran Turf Miticide](https://fernland.com.au/higran-turf-miticide/) — Syngenta - [Mancozeb DG Fungicide](https://fernland.com.au/barmac-mancozeb-750/) — Amgrow Specialty Agriculture - [Penncozeb 750DF Fungicide](https://fernland.com.au/mancozeb-750df-fungicide/) — UPL - [Tempo Xtra Turf & Ornamental Insecticide](https://fernland.com.au/tempo-xtra-turf-ornamental-insecticide/) — Envu - [Venom Professional 240SC Insecticide](https://fernland.com.au/venom-professional-240sc-insecticide/) — Adama - [Apollo SC Miticide & Ovicide](https://fernland.com.au/apollo-sc-miticide-ovicide/) — Colin Campbell Chemicals - [Carbaryl 500 | Flowable Insecticide](https://fernland.com.au/carbaryl-500-flowable-insecticide/) — David Grays - [Sero-X Natural Insecticide](https://fernland.com.au/sero-x-natural-insecticide/) — Innovate Ag - [Danisaraba Miticide](https://fernland.com.au/danisaraba-miticide/) — BASF - [Scarlet Trio Advanced Insecticide](https://fernland.com.au/scarlet-trio-advanced-insecticide/) — ProForce - [Agador Turf Nematicide & Miticide](https://fernland.com.au/agador-turf-nematicide-miticide/) — Syngenta - [Trifend Insecticide, Fungicide & Miticide Garden Spray](https://fernland.com.au/trifend-insecticide-fungicide-miticide-garden-spray/) — Searles - [Wettable Sulphur Fungicide & Miticide](https://fernland.com.au/wettable-sulphur-fungicide-miticide/) — Amgrow Specialty Agriculture - [Kanemite Miticide](https://fernland.com.au/kanemite-miticide/) — UPL - [Lime Sulfur Insect & Disease Control](https://fernland.com.au/lime-sulfur-insect-disease-control/) — Yates - [Macromite Miticide](https://fernland.com.au/macromite-miticide/) — PCT SureFire - [Malathion Insecticide Garden Spray](https://fernland.com.au/malathion-insecticide-garden-spray/) — David Grays - [Velifer Biological Insecticide](https://fernland.com.au/velifer-biological-insecticide/) — BASF - [Searles Wettable Sulphur Fungicide & Miticide](https://fernland.com.au/searles-wettable-sulphur-fungicide-miticide/) — Searles - [Abacin Insecticide/Miticide](https://fernland.com.au/abacin-insecticide-miticide/) - [Omite 300WP Miticide](https://fernland.com.au/omite-300wp-miticide/) — UPL ## Image credits - [Photo: Dohtoruk via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2024-08-14_17-23-30_(C)_%E2%80%94_%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%B8%D1%8F-1_%D0%BB%D1%80_%D1%84%D1%88.jpg) - [Photo: Gilles San Martin via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tetranychus_urticae_with_silk_threads.jpg) - [Photo: Tracy Wootten, University of Delaware, Bugwood.org via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0 us)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oligonychus_ilicis_on_Ilex_sp..jpg) - [Photo: F.C. Schweissing, Bugwood.org via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0 us)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oligonychus_pratensis_(cropped).jpg)