Modified Lighting to Reduce and Control Ham Mite Infestations on Country Hams

Tyrophagus putrescentiae, commonly known as the ham mite, mold mite or cheese mite, is a pest of over 140 stored product commodities. Methyl bromide was a routine control procedure used widely by commercial country ham producers, but was banned under the Clean Air Act due to its status as an atmospheric ozone-depleting substance. Developing new methods of control are needed for ham mites, especially if coordinated in an integrated pest management (IPM) plan with prevention and monitoring. Previous work found ham mites were repelled by red light but attracted to ultraviolet. . Thus, a push-pull system with modified lighting in aging rooms can help to keep mites off aging hams. UV tested for mite attraction is UVA, the safest UV light with a long wavelength. Our work with the damaging UVC, the shortest wavelength UV, was shown to knock down and kill mobile mites, reduce reproduction of live females, and prevent eclosion of treated eggs. A safe use of UVC targeted directly onto structural or product surfaces could mitigate mite infestations at high densities as part of an IPM plan for aging hams.