Natural Spider Mite Control
I see many, many threads on spider mite infestations.
Spider mites live in the environment naturally. The type of mite that bothers us is most prevalent when temperatures stay above 50 degrees. You may see the nests in the grass, in tree branches, on flowers, etc. Spider mites live off the juices that the plant produces which are essentially sugars. The prefer to eat on the bottom side of the leave as it is easier to access the succulent parts of the leaf.
They also lay their eggs on the bottom side of the leaf. Incubation is 7-14 days, which is an important fact. Control of mites if an infestation occurs, centers more around stopping the hatchlings as few non-toxic's work on mites.
An infestation can ruin an entire crop or just one plant, depending. Not worth the risk of letting an infestation occur in the first place. If a bad infestation occurs, i.e., webs on the buds, remove the plant as gently as possible so as to not loose any mites on the way out of the grow room. Then destroy the plant and the mites and discard. (The eggs will still hatch). Watch other plants for signs...small dots on most of the leaves. They are only 1/50th of an inch long so they are very hard to see. Remove all the plants and treat as below and sterilize the grow area with a bleach/water solution and allow to dry before putting plants back in.
Prevention is the best solution to mites. Seven(brand name) seems to be a great perimeter poison to use around the exterior of the grow area and into the air duct openings (while off). Cracks and crevices in the room itself also should get a barrier stream sprayed down for the same reason. Do this about once a month during mite season and occasionally in off season as it also controls other bugs.
What about inside the grow area? Some folks like to keep the Shell No-Pest Strip in the grow area. Not sure if plants uptake this or not, so will not address the use of it, but it is commonly used. Neem oil is a product of the Neem tree. Natural as natural can be. The only effect on us the consumer, is if used too late it may affect the taste. No issue to us even if smoked.
Neem can be applied multiple ways. It can be given in the water and the plant will uptake enough to provide the barrier. Myself I prefer to just use foliar spray in the vegitative room only. (My air path is such the flower room is the most protected and room the air is evacuated from, veg room vents to the flower room. During the season I foliar spray the veg plants as soon as they are rooted about every other day. I watch the leaves. Shiny leaves have enough Neem for their life and need no more.
We do not want to use so much we choke off the stoma of the plants, so do watch the leaves. Allow the spray to dry before repositioning the lights close to the leaves. Some species are less tolerant of Neem, but all do very well with this process.
Why Neem? Because it prevents the offspring/hatchlings from being able to digest food and it kills them before they can mature and make more eggs. It is critical to understand that the hatchlings must be controlled or the infestation will continue and you will have consistent issues with mites.
If anyone has a good shot of an infestation with web/nest, it sure would be nice of you to post that to go with this thread.:smokin:
Link with good knowledge:
The Life Cycle of Spider Mites | eHow.com
:bonghit:
Natural Spider Mite Control
Good read.
One thing I could add is AZAMAX. It is the concentrate of neem oil. A little easier to work with and has more knock down power. Aquaponicherb says it or neem oil works better if atomized to the right microns.
If they hatch in 7 to 14 days and then can lay eggs in 5 to 7 days key is to break the life cycle. A good spray every 7 to 10 days kills all new hatchlings before they can lay eggs. Keep spraying untill there are NO signs of mites. Eggs can not be killed and can winter over in soil like conditions.
We have been fighting mites. First were red spidermites and thrips. easlily done in by pyrithrum bombs from the doctor.
Then from the same place we got the others came the dreaded Hella mites the Two-Spotted spidermite. These bitches will outlive dam roaches. Watch out cause when you see web from these guy's it means there are moving out, you know spreading to new plants. We had some travel through the air duct from one room to another on the wind of the fan. The plants in the other room didn't know what hit them untill I looked up at the duct fan.
Be carefull what you bring into your room. What looks like a good deal or favor can be your biggest nightmare.
Natural Spider Mite Control
I use DDT...:thumbsup:.."if you want to make sure every MF'er in the room is dead?"...
accept no substitutes....:rambohead:
Natural Spider Mite Control
I'm dealing with spider mites for the first time right now and let me tell you it's HELL! I got them off of a clone from a friend and have since tried everything to get rid of them, nothing worked,
So here's what I have discovered does work, I've taken all of my plants in vegetation out side and mother nature works her magic, my plants outside are completely spidermite free, Meanwhile my vegetative room is staying empty and has since been clean until August when our outdoor flowering season begins,
Then I will be putting my "clean" vegetative plants in the two month empty "clean" vegetative room and moving all of my flowering plants outside to finish through mid october or so, meanwhile leaving my flowering room empty and cleaned for a few months,
I certainly hope this works and I'm confident it will, Spidermites are the devil and even though I acquired a purple kush clone, some rides are not worth the price of admission,
As for the eggs wintering over, i've never heard of that and will be vigilant upon inspections thanks for the tip!
Natural Spider Mite Control
Thank for all the info everbody. Before I even started growing I bought neem oil, allready had seven also invested in LADYBUGS:thumbsup: and have let them loose in grow room Ive been vegin for 3 1/2 weeks and checking almost ever hour. I will say I will be spraying seven all around the ouside of the room where I have notice a Billion sipder webs, and thanks to the WEEDGODS:) for blessing so far and the ladybugs I do belive they are helping me alot I release them at least once a week and leave them. I have seen a spider in my room once but I am sure it wasen't a mite its was just smaller than a dime I am sure it was a brown reculse ( not sure of spelling) I think it trying to get ladybugs. I still check religiously. Once again thank you for the info on what products to use and where and when.:stoned:
Natural Spider Mite Control
I've used the HotShot repellent for 2 years and its worked great. Had one major outbreak 2 years ago and within 10 days of hanging the HotShot all bugs were gone.
Natural Spider Mite Control
I've read in an older holticulturist book that bugs HATE garlic and it says to grow garlic right along side your garden. It may not be much to try when you have a problem in the garden, but if you started out with maybe 1 or 2, it would probably make a difference.
Natural Spider Mite Control
I just put some tobacco plants in pots next to the plants in the garden last week and the mites seem to have left the scene or atleast stop eating my plants...seems to work..and since it doesn't come into contact with the same soil..mosaic is not an issue.;)
Natural Spider Mite Control
thanks guys for the garlic and tabacco ideas.(I want to go more organic/natural) i have been using asatrol for outdoor insects every 2 weeks. if anyone has any info or tips i need it
Natural Spider Mite Control
I've been reluctant to use a chemical means to kill mites. I decided to try a drowning method. I flooded my rooms (10x11 total) with Co2. I rented a 50lb co2 cylinder from my local welding supply shop. $5.75 per month rent, 19.95 to fill. anyway the plants like the co2 and the mites can't breathe. All I do is shut off all fans, and open the cylinder to the air, then close the door and come back in the morning. I re-do the co2 about 10 days later to get the eggs that hatched. I have flooded the room twice and so far things are looking fabulous.