Tree Ticks

  Written by: Naqeeb Ahmad Azizi

 Tree mites are arachnids that belong to the same class as spiders and are closely related to ticks. They would produce webbing on the plant. These critters could damage plants by sucking on the tissues, mainly in the leaves. Mites often cluster on the undersides of the fruit tree's leaves or feed on the buds or fruit. Some fruit gardeners complain about the damages caused by these insects.

 AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some gardeners and an agricultural expert about this issue.

Enayatullah, a resident of Kapisa province says, “Before I had been getting about 140 kilograms fruits from each tree but mites reduced the yield of each tree to 70 kilograms fruits. Mites cause my fruit trees’ branches to be dried and the Brown wilted and curled yellow leaves are the signs of mites in the tree.

Zairgul Ayoubi, a resident of Narkh district, Maidan-Wardak province says, “I have apricot, apple and plum garden. Most of the trees are damaged by mites. The leaves of the trees become curly and then get yellowish and fall on the ground and in the result, the fruit crops reduced to half.”

An agricultural expert, Abdul Samad Kamavi says, “Mites could be found in all types of trees. They live in the leaves of the trees and suck the tissue of the leaves. The transfer from one tree to another and even from one garden to another garden. If the gardeners do not prevent them in the beginning, they would cause more damages to the trees.”

Haji Hukum Khan, a resident of Maidan-Wardak province says, “As our neighboring garden was affected by mites, these insects transmitted to our garden too. These insects are found in hot climate regions.”

Zairgul Ayoubi says, “These insects are widely found in arid regions.”

Kamavi says, “Poor watering of the trees could lead to ticks in trees and if the gardeners do not treat trees diseases, these diseases would also lead to the tree mites. Not washing trees and not reaching sun to the trees also could be the cause of mites in the trees.”

How gardeners prevent tree Ticks?

Ahmad Shafi, a resident of Kapisa province says, “We solve detergent powder in water and spray it on the tree. We sprayed this solution so many times in a month and we got rid of mites.”

Kamavi talks about the prevention of mites, “Solve 10 grams urea fertilizer in one-liter water and spray it on the leaves fallen on the ground. It is also useful to spray it on the tree too. There is a special oil for trees which is used in the winter and in the summer too. Trees should be washed and irrigate regularly and pay attention to the cleanliness of the garden.”