What are the management options for RLEM?

Although pesticide sprays are an effective way of managing RLEM, there has been a reported case of RLEM resistance to a synthetic pyrethroid pesticide. It is therefore important to use a variety of tactics to manage RLEM. It is important to vary the tactics used both over time in the one paddock, but also between paddocks at the same time.

Pesticides are best used when you have observed RLEM during your RLEM Paddock Check and have a high risk of having RLEM damage to your pastures. Use the RLEM Risk Calculator to determine your risk of RLEM damage.

You can also reduce the risk of plant damage by sowing RLEM tolerant plant varieties and by using grazing management to limit the amount of mites your pasture can carry.

If you have done the RLEM Paddock Check and can not see any RLEM, then you may consider not spraying pesticides. Instead you can choose management tools to minimise the chance of RLEM eggs moving into your paddock and increasing the natural predators of RLEM.

• Spring Spray using Timerite®
• Autumn Spray
• Sowing RLEM Tolerant Plant Varieties
• Grazing Management
• Encourage Natural Predators
• Limit RLEM Movement