Apply insecticide in late March through early April to control the first generation of lace bugs. Proper timing of this application will reduce the need for more sprays during the growing season. Southern red mites also damage azaleas. The southern red mite is most common during the cooler parts of the year, early spring and fall. They cause leaves to look speckled or bronzed.
Early spring is the best time to apply an insecticide to control mites.
Late in the fall, the mites may return. You may have to spray again then. Applying insecticides when insects or mites are most susceptible gives you more effective control and fewer applications. When insects are young and few in number, insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils are often very effective, too. These products, however, may not work as well as traditional contact insecticides when pest problems are left to increase and the insects or mites are more mature.