miticides

Miticides are pesticides used to kill mites, small arachnids that can damage crops, stored goods, livestock, or honeybees. The term miticide is often used interchangeably with acaricide, though the former is more common in agricultural and apicultural contexts. Mitigating mite infestations is a major concern in crop production, greenhouse management, veterinary care, and beekeeping, where mites such as Varroa destructor can undermine colony health.

Miticides come in chemical, biological, and physical or cultural forms. Chemical miticides include pyrethroids, organophosphates, amidines, and newer chemistries that disrupt the mite’s nervous system or metabolism. Examples include fluvalinate, coumaphos, and amitraz, as well as other agents with varying modes of action. Biological approaches use living organisms or their products, such as predatory mites or microbial agents, to suppress mite populations. Non-chemical methods encompass botanical products (for example thymol), organic acids (such as oxalic and formic acids), and desiccants or mechanical means, often employed in integrated pest management programs.

Application and management practices emphasize correct labeling, targeted timing, and rotation of products with different modes of action to reduce resistance development and minimize non-target effects. In beekeeping, miticides must be chosen and applied with care to protect bee health and limit residue in wax and honey. Regulatory oversight and risk assessments address environmental impact, worker safety, and consumer exposure.

Resistance management is a key consideration, as mites can adapt to commonly used miticides. Integrated pest management combines chemical, biological, and cultural controls to sustain mite suppression while reducing reliance on any single product.