Mites, Nematodes and Scales

• The pineapple mite, also called the red spider, eats the base of the fruit's leaves.This pest is problematic when there is a prolonged drought and it can infect the step offshoots, called slips, that are needed to reproduce pineapples. Red scale is not a major pest, but occasionally infest pineapples grown in Australia. Several kinds of nematodes affect pineapples. They can damage the roots and cause root knot and root rot. Look for stunted plants and plants in declining health as indications of nematode problems.
  
  

Mealybugs and Beetles

• Mealybugs also eat the base of the pineapple plant leaves and cause the plant to wilt. Leaves will turn brown and wither. Mealybugs also can cause root rot. They weaken plants and diminish production. The sap beetle can be a big problem to growers. It is attracted to plants affected by the condition called gummosis, which occurs when wounds on the plant secret a gummy substance. The palmetto beetle gets into the young fruit and fruit stock to lay its eggs.
  
  

Animal Pests

• Animal pests are another problem in pineapple fields. They live in or pass through fields and feed on the fruit. Culprits include rats and mice, raccoons, rabbits, opossums and crows. Rats sometimes gnaw the base of the stems and roots. Rabbits enjoy the leaves. Opossums, squirrels and raccoons will eat the maturing pineapples.
  
  

Prevention

• Prevention methods for all pineapple pests begin with planting in clean, weed-free soil and maintaining sanitary conditions in the field. Remove rotted plants, weeds and fruit. When purchasing plants, inspect the roots for nematodes and the plants for mites, scales and beetles. Fire ants provide carry mealybugs onto healthy plants, so prevent infestation by evicting the fire ants. Keep maturing fruit out of the reach of animal pests by covering it with paper bags if possible.
  
  

Control

• Natural predators in the form of predator mites can be effective in controlling pineapple mites. Beetles are best controlled by good sanitary practice in fields, such as removing rotted vegetation near plants. Some pineapple growers address nematodes with nematicides, others with crop rotation, planting grasses instead of pineapple for three seasons. Mealybugs are hard to control. Cultural practices such as weed control are effective. Parasitic wasps can also help. Controls for animal pests include poison bait, shooting or trapping and fencing.