A hand lens might be necessary, as these mites are barely visible to the unaided eye. Plants can tolerate low populations of this pest, but if a sharp population increase is noted from one week to the next, or if plant symptoms begin to appear, a miticide should be used. It is important to catch population increases early because control of large established populations is difficult and expensive. In certain fields or certain areas within fields, hot spots of mite activity can develop. Keeping an eye on these known hot spots will help warn of an impending outbreak.
Thorough coverage is essential when applying miticides, so use plenty of water.
These sometimes appear on the stems and leaves of strawberries at about the time of bloom. The insects are known as spittlebugs because of the peculiar, spittlelike substance with which they cover themselves. They often are seen in meadows and on plants in uncultivated fields. Spittlebugs have sharp beaks with which they pierce the stems of plants and suck the plant juices. The insects first feed at the base of the plants but later move up to the more tender foliage.