Knowledgebase
Pear blister mite #929153
Asked April 21, 2026, 6:12 PM EDT
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
If you just purchased and planted this tree recently, it is likely the mites you are seeing now were already present. They move from the senescing leaves into the buds in the fall where they overwinter. You can certainly bring it up with the nursery and see if they will give you a new tree or a refund. As you mentioned, you will/would need to treat this tree in the fall in order to reduce the populations of the mites for next year.
Below is some information with the biology of the pest and management:
https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/notes_ag/fruit-blister-mites
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Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 1:27 PM
To: rachel_slocum
Subject: Re: Pear blister mite (#0199068)
You do not need to worry about your cherry, this mite does not feed on cherries. Apples and pears are hosts, however. From what I have read, movement of the mites between trees is not fully understood, they may move via wind, birds or insects. I would think movement and contamination of other trees would be most likely as the mites are moving to and from the buds in late fall and early spring, rather than when they are embedded within the leaves during the growing season. I would also think the risk of planting a new tree in the same spot this time of year would be relatively low.
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