How to control edible mushroom mites? Practical methods shared

Edible mushroom mites, also known as fungus lice, fungus spiders or fungus mites, can harm many kinds of edible mushrooms. When fungus mites cause damage in the early stage after inoculation of edible mushrooms, the mycelium of the inoculated block is bitten first, and often no mycelium germination is seen; later, damage by mushroom mites causes mushroom buds to shrink and die.

When mushroom mites cause damage on the fruiting bodies, the damaged parts become discolored or develop holes, seriously affecting yield and quality. Mushroom mites are small and hard to see with the naked eye, and they easily harm mushrooms. Therefore, mushroom mites must be controlled promptly in edible mushroom cultivation management.

About 7 days after inoculation of edible mushrooms, cover the surface of the substrate with colored plastic film for 5-10 minutes, then place a magnifying glass close to the side of the cultivation substrate to observe. Once mushroom mites are found that are small, flat or oval, white or yellow, and have many bristles, immediately choose one of the following methods to kill them.

1. Spraying pesticide to kill mites: Spray with 50% omethoate 1000-fold solution, julehe ester 1500-fold solution or propargite 500-fold solution to kill mites.

2. Trap-killing with rapeseed cake: Spread several pieces of wet cloth on the substrate surface where mushroom mites are causing damage, sprinkle freshly roasted rapeseed cake on the wet cloth, and when the mites gather on the rapeseed cake on the wet cloth, remove the wet cloth and place it in boiling water for a moment to kill the mites.

3. Trap-killing with sugar-vinegar liquid: Take 1 part acetic acid, 1 part clean water and 0.1 part white sugar, mix well, then add dichlorvos dropwise to make the sugar-vinegar pesticide liquid. Place gauze or cotton soaked with the liquid on the substrate surface, and when the mites gather on it, remove it and scald the pests to death. Repeat the above operation until there are no mites left.

4. Trap-killing with fresh bones: Place fresh pig bones on the bed surface where mushroom mites appear and cause damage, spacing them apart. When the mites gather on them, place the bones in boiling water for a moment to kill the mites. Repeat several times until there are no mites on the substrate surface. (Source: China Agricultural Extension Network)