spidermites ... fighting the Borg ... and friends

A number of years ago, maybe three years into my indoor growing career, I had my first encounter with The Borg! Tough little buggers they were and still are. I researched ... I tea'd 'em, I soap'd 'em, I picked them off by hand but I NEVER beat 'em. Then following that years harvest a friend suggested I use a solution of bleach 10-15% and give the growroom and all it's related equipment a thorough cleaning.

This just made sense (slapping forehead like he could have had a V8) ... CLEAN the environment, then continue to keep it clean. I'm not talking silicon wafer steril here ... just don't wear your outdoor gardening clothes in the growroom common sense clean!

I have since then thoroughly cleaned my growroom and equipment following every harvest ... air intakes and outputs, ducting, fans, lights, refelectors, ballasts ... everything!

I've had one minor infestation ... cost me a couple of plants ... cuz I caught it early ... out they went! Can't just water, feed and light 'em up, gotta take a close look at 'em ... sometimes ya gotta even use a magnifying glass! Gotta know what they look like and look for 'em every day

Bottom line ... keep your growroom and equipment clean and observe your plants closely ... prevent an infestation ... OBTW, soil IS equipment.

Of course this is simply my opinion based on my personal experience ... ymmv.

How do you fight The Borg?

Never stop learning ... later,

Helen

They are tough little buggers.

I use a general all purpose concoction for all my plants, veggies and others.

I boil a combo of cinnamon, garlic, onions, cloves, oregano, and cayenne (or whatever fresh chili I have on hand) and spray plants. Sometimes use cooking water from veggies like beets or rapini, plants love it.

Besides that, good air circulation blowing over leaves helps. Make them uncomfortable and hopefully they scram for greener pastures.

gl