A New Miticide for Spider Mite Control

Floramite, from Uniroyal Chemical, has recently received EPA registration for control of several mite species on ornamental plants in greenhouses, interior plantscapes, and shadehouses. The common name for Floramite is bifenazateand the product represents a new chemical class, the carbazates. It is classified as a reduced risk pesticide by EPA. The restricted entry interval is 12 hr.; formulated as a 50% wettable powder in water soluble bags.

Floramite combines rapid mite control by contact (within 3 days) with a 21 day residual life on treated plants. In one of our experiments at the OARDC, we saw effective spider mite control on potted roses for at least 30 days. Activity is primarily against moving forms of spider mites, but there is some control of two-spotted spider mite eggs. It is supposed to be quite safe to beneficials, so probably will be suitable for use in IPM programs that use biological controls.