August 4, 2000

Bindweed mite works overtime

By Mike Barnett
Editor

The only bad thing about the bindweed mite being distributed by the Bushland Research Center is that it’s working too well. Supply is outstripped by demand.

The tiny mite is doing a terrific job against the weed. In one instance, a Bushland research associate put the mite in her backyard that was about 90 percent bindweed.

“And now about 80 percent of that bindweed is gone,” said entomologist Dr. Gerald Michels. “So it did work.”

The main problem with the mite is that moves slowly. Mites typically don’t spread unless the bindweed is mowed, or if infested bindweed is moved into a new patch.

The mite was first publicly distributed last year at the Bushland field day. Resulting publicity resulted in over 500 phone calls in the following two weeks requesting the mite.

“That’s way beyond the capacity of my research program to do this,” Michels said.

To help with the distribution, all county Extension agents in District 1 have been given mites to start nurseries.

“Hopefully, within the next six months, and definately by next spring, we should have at least two nurseries in each county in District 1, and then we can work through these county agents to get the mites distributed.”