Knowledgebase

Pear blister mite #929153

Asked April 21, 2026, 6:12 PM EDT

Hello, The Doyenne du Comice pear that I planted this February/March has leafed out with a fair amount of blister mite on the new leaves. Of the 6 new fruit trees I planted this winter, one of which is another pear, none has blister mite except this one. I know the mite can be controlled organically with Neem oil (later in the season) and picking off the leaves now. But I'm wondering if the tree came with these mites and therefore whether I ought to return it to the nursery. This is the only tree from one of the area nurseries. The other trees came from different nurseries. All were planted and pruned following extension guidance and have leafed out successfully. In other words, I didn't do anything to weaken the Comice, thus making it susceptible to these mites. But perhaps the nursery where it was grown or the one from which it was sold was not so careful. Please advise. Thank you.

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Hello,
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

Thank you for using Ask Extension!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 22, 2026, 4:27 PM EDT
Thank you for the quick response.  To avoid transfer of mites to other trees, should I uproot this one immediately (and burn it)?  The distance among the trees (2 apples, 2 cherries and 1 other pear) is 8-18' (they are all dwarf and semi dwarf). Should I avoid planting the next Comice in the same place?  

Thanks again, Best, Rachel 


From: ask=<personal data hidden> on behalf of Ask Extension
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 1:27 PM
To: rachel_slocum
Subject: Re: Pear blister mite (#0199068)
 
The Question Asker Replied April 22, 2026, 5:20 PM EDT
Hello,
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.

Thank you for using Ask Extension!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 22, 2026, 6:29 PM EDT

Loading ...