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Oak-Leaf Mites: The Aftermath of Brood X

Resources: Tree Problems

Good News: the Brood X cicadas are mostly gone from the DC area!

Bad News:  they left us an entirely new nuisance to deal with…

A couple of months ago, we wrote about cicada oviposition and what it means for your trees. Now that cicadas have lain their eggs and moved on from the area, we are seeing the possible emergence of a new pest: the Oak-leaf mite.

What are Oak-leaf mites?

Oak-leaf mites are microscopic pests that feed on – you guessed it – cicada eggs. Just in the past week, we’ve received multiple calls from concerned homeowners who have noticed these pests hanging around their yards and causing painful, itchy welts on exposed skin.

Unfortunately, we are unable to treat for oak leaf mites, as they are invisible to the naked eye and are airborne. They also do not cause any known issues to tree health.

Cicada flagging on mature trees
“Flagging” on mature shade trees, resulting from cicada oviposition (egg-laying)

What to do about Oak-leaf mites

  • Look out for bites – Although you can’t see these tiny pests, you will be able to see the results of their presence. After you’ve been outside and around Oak trees, look for itchy, raised, blistered areas on your skin. Experts recommend antihistamines and cold compresses for mild symptoms. If the symptoms persist or become severe, see your doctor.
  • Avoid contact – Cicada oviposition results in tell-tale “flagging” or brown patches at the ends of tree limbs. Those brown patches indicate where cicada eggs might have been lain, and where oak-leaf mites may now be feeding. Avoiding these areas will not eliminate all contact with oak-leaf mites, however, as this pest can become airborne with just a little bit of wind
  •  Wear protective clothing outside, as insect repellent doesn’t do much for these pests. After going outside, wash your clothes and your exposed skin thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Although we can’t treat for oak-leaf mites, we can help prune out the damage from cicada oviposition. If you need help with pruning, please contact us!

Call us at 703.573.3029

Reserve an appointment online

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Google Reviews

Grey Burkhart
Grey Burkhart
March 29, 2022.
Verified
Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
Dennis Bruns
Dennis Bruns
March 8, 2022.
Verified
We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
Annette Iannucci
Annette Iannucci
February 23, 2022.
Verified
We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford
January 26, 2022.
Verified
RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
Kenton Morgan
Kenton Morgan
January 20, 2022.
Verified
Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
Jean Kluttz
Jean Kluttz
January 3, 2022.
Verified
Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
Jerry Haggin
Jerry Haggin
December 16, 2021.
Verified
Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
Mike Iger
Mike Iger
December 16, 2021.
Verified
David Roberts
David Roberts
December 15, 2021.
Verified
We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
Travis Larson
Travis Larson
December 10, 2021.
Verified
RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

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