Key technical points and practical methods for green pest control in tea plants

I. Intercropping with other tree species

On the surrounding slopes and odd corners around the tea garden, appropriately plant some tree species such as ginkgo and persimmon (planting Eucalyptus grandis is strictly prohibited), to improve the microclimate of the tea garden, increase biodiversity, and reduce the occurrence and damage of tea plant pests and diseases. Plant about 15 trees per mu, not exceeding 20 trees.

II. Installing solar insect-killing lamps

Taking advantage of the phototaxis of pests, install solar insect-killing lamps to trap and kill the adults of tea plant pests such as tea geometrid and tea tussock moth, reducing the number of eggs laid so as to lower the pest population base. One solar insect-killing lamp can control pests in about 50 mu of tea garden.

III. Inserting yellow sticky traps

Taking advantage of the color taxis of pests, insert 20 yellow sticky traps per mu to trap and stick pests such as winged aphids, adults of black citrus whitefly and scale insects, and smaller green leafhoppers. The lower edge of the yellow trap should be about 10 cm above the tea canopy, and the trap surface should be perpendicular to the walkway.

IV. Releasing predatory mites

Release predatory mites in the tea garden to feed on pest mites and control the damage. 10—15 days before releasing predatory mites, spray eco-friendly pesticides to lower the pest mite population base; release 20 bags of predatory mites per mu, and when releasing, cut open the predatory mite bags and hang them below the tea canopy. Do not apply insecticides or acaricides after releasing the mites.

V. Using sex pheromone traps

Use sex pheromones to trap and kill the adults of tea plant pests such as tea geometrid, tea slug moth, and tea tussock moth. Each set of sex pheromone controls pests in 1 mu of tea garden.