Lady Bugs: How effective in getting rid of pests?

I am about a week from being ready to start flowering my latest crop, and I can't seem to get rid of these damn pests. They are tiny and white (spider mites I am assuming) Using alot of neem oil, but I am still finding little holes in the leaves, as well as a few yellow spots. I spotted a few bugs today, it's hard to spot a ton but when you have a few, most likely you have a ton. I am considering buying 200-300 lady bugs at the local store here, and seeing if you guys had any luck with this method. I also have a pesticide soap that I will be using tomorrow. No webs or anything like that, but I have bugs chilling on my plants without question. Any advice? Also using a Hot Spot pest strip, have heard mixed things about these.

Before you go buck wild in buying pests to remove pests, I would most deffinately give the soap a shot. Just spray it down to the point of run off-over and under the foilage. Just make sure that the soap you are using is not real strong. I have had the best luck with baby shampoo.

Best of luck
-Pockets

TRAILER PARK BOYS FTW

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Originally Posted by pocketsrstillEmT

Before you go buck wild in buying pests to remove pests,

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I would rather use something natural before i started applying chemicals.

Personally i've used the little fuckers and they run around like hungry little shits eating up everything.

The only downside is you'll have to clean up them little shits once they are dead. They'll die once they eat everything and there is no food left. I got mine at a local nursery.

Pests to remove pests?
Ladybugs aren't pests, they are predators, and they are VERY good at what they do.

They are ridiculously effective. I used to work at a commercial herb greenhouse and because of the nature of the crop, we were limited in what type of pesticides we could even use, and ladybugs were the obvious choice.

just dont use tham late in flower cuz they will get stuck in the resin on the buds...sucks.

Well...shit. Just offering my 2 pennies...dont have to listen, Ive been wrong before!

-Pockets

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Originally Posted by dusto2k3

just dont use tham late in flower cuz they will get stuck in the resin on the buds...sucks.

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lol...

*pufff pufff pufff... POP!*
Fuck.. ladybug :p

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Originally Posted by stinkyattic

Pests to remove pests?
Ladybugs aren't pests, they are predators, and they are VERY good at what they do.

They are ridiculously effective. I used to work at a commercial herb greenhouse and because of the nature of the crop, we were limited in what type of pesticides we could even use, and ladybugs were the obvious choice.

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This is what I keep hearing but then I've also had a number of people tell me that lady bugs can't eat mites because they are too small.

I just gave them a nice foilar spray with the incesticide soap, boy can you see the webs when you wet the entire plant...those fuckers are beginning to piss me off.

With reguards to using them late in flowering, I thought the lady bugs won't get stuck in the bud...that's what I've read just about everywhere.

In addition, they should die if they run out of food... and I plan to have these fuckers dead and dead soon. I'm also considering bombing the room, though I assume the bomb would kill the lady bugs as well as the mites?


Sorry to sound like a noob, this is my first time dealing with this bullshit.

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

This is what I keep hearing but then I've also had a number of people tell me that lady bugs can't eat mites because they are too small.

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Do you like tic-tacs? Or beer nuts? :D Trust me ladybugs can eat little things too!

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

I just gave them a nice foilar spray with the incesticide soap, boy can you see the webs when you wet the entire plant...those fuckers are beginning to piss me off.

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Have you tried neem? I wouldn't use it after week 3 of flower (smelly) but it's good for mites.

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

With reguards to using them late in flowering, I thought the lady bugs won't get stuck in the bud...that's what I've read just about everywhere.

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Yeah that's farfetched. I have never seen a bug get stuck to a resiny bud. In fact, I've seen a couple great photos of ladybugs on the hunt, on resiny buds, looking pretty happy... :D And anyway, They're big... you can always shake the buds off when you harvest them...

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

In addition, they should die if they run out of food... and I plan to have these fuckers dead and dead soon. I'm also considering bombing the room, though I assume the bomb would kill the lady bugs as well as the mites?.

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The bomb will kill the ladybugs too. Bomb first if you plan to do an IPM program. Then wait a few days before releasing your predator.

yeah, the only reason i say the bugs might stick is cuz one time i left some thrips untreated and was pissed cuz under a scope, i could see thrip larvae stuck in the resin (albeit they are very small), but if Stinky says so then...i gotta go get some bugs today as a matter of fact.

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Originally Posted by stinkyattic

Bomb first if you plan to do an IPM program. Then wait a few days before releasing your predator.

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Whats this....? Indoor Pest Management

Thrip larvae are evil and stupid and deserve to get stuck to shit.

OMG I got back from my vacation to find temps had peaked over 95 and the thrips were all sitting in hammocks drinking all the beer in my fridge and getting horny and fucking like a bunch of fratboys on spring break and making MORE thrips.... Count me in for some major pest control. I think I can get ladybugs at my local garden center. It's time to bring out the big guns! :D

IPM= integrated pest management
Basically, getting yourself a little mini controlled ecosystem going that includes both predators and prey, so that the crop is protected from unreasonable damage. You still get a bit of munching but not at the levels that will harm your plants.

I take it you have use them Stinky, last time i ended up finding them all oiver the house. My room isn't completely sealed, so the clever ones can find their way out thru the cracks.

They don't really bother me. Yes, they get all over the place but whatever; my house plants could use some company too.

My old lab partner on the other hand used to have seasonal infestations where they would show up at her apartment en masse and there would be literally thousands of them all over everything, especially in the shower stall, where there was moisture... hahahaha

yeah, i was up near Yosemite and i was walking along this trail and i saw this moving swarm on the ground and upon close investigation, it was a colony of them, the swarm had to be a million or more easy, like the size of a large trash can. That was the only time i felt threatened by ladybugs

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Originally Posted by stinkyattic

Thrip larvae are evil and stupid and deserve to get stuck to shit.

OMG I got back from my vacation to find temps had peaked over 95 and the thrips were all sitting in hammocks drinking all the beer in my fridge and getting horny and fucking like a bunch of fratboys on spring break and making MORE thrips.... Count me in for some major pest control. I think I can get ladybugs at my local garden center. It's time to bring out the big guns! :D

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Are you a Cali person Stinky? I don't believe you are, but I would love to share a beer with you and shoot the shit sometime... though it's doubtful. Your funny as shit.

So yeah, I am going to buy some lady bugs today... and maybe a door stopper for my room this way they don't get out as easily. Any tricks to keeping them in the room?

My room mates are the type to bitch and moan about any inconvenience the room may cuase and then smoke free bud for months to come. ;)

I have cats, maybe the cats will eat them lol.

razza they dig moisture, so maybe pout a spong in a shllow dish of water, so they have somewhere to hang.

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

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My room mates are the type to bitch and moan about any inconvenience the room may cuase and then smoke free bud for months to come. ;)

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tell em they cant have the cake and eat it too.

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

Are you a Cali person Stinky? .

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Awww you know the answer to this one... this is me and a friend at Bayside Expo Center... In the Bean... :D

But next time you are back visiting you know where to find me. Once a masshole, always a masshole. hahahaha! did I ever pm you my contact info?

Try one of those draft-snakes to confine the buggers. You know, the ones we have to use here in winter so our toes don't freeze solid... You can easily make one with the leg of a stocking (get a really thick one, not like nylons) and fill it with dried beans.

Edit: I'm the one in the hat. I have, at most recent count, 5 different red sox hats... brown, green, navy, blue and white, and pink. Because it's important to be able to rep Boston and still have a good outfit! :D

You are just as beautiful as I imagined Stinky! :D

Yeah, I'll give the draft snake a shot, though I'm afraid my door is warped enough that the buggers could get out through the panel near the door knob if they really want to...have to imagine the draft snake would help though.

As for the Red Sox hats, I am currently sporting a black one (oh so fresh) because my navy blue one is beyond gross... and the girlfriend made a request that I not wear it anymore. While I'm open to the idea of having a ton of Boston hats, I like wearing one to high hell, then buying a new one for some reason.

I don't know how to receive\send PMs but certainly would love to get one from you. Do you have AIM? YaMar2001 is my name we could chat sometime. If not, feel free to PM me here, but I need to figure out how to use em.

What are your thoughts on Dice-K so far? He has me really confused...he shows moments of brilliance, but he seems to blow up for at least one inning every single game. Way too many walks Dice-K, get it together friend!

I am going to smoke a fat bowl and watch them play Toronto today (mlbtv.com is my only choice unfortunately)

I see so much of you helping other people, I would love to see your garden on this site... and perhaps see others helping YOU though you seem like a pro.

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Originally Posted by stinkyattic

Thrip larvae are evil and stupid and deserve to get stuck to shit.

OMG I got back from my vacation to find temps had peaked over 95 and the thrips were all sitting in hammocks drinking all the beer in my fridge and getting horny and fucking like a bunch of fratboys on spring break and making MORE thrips.... Count me in for some major pest control. I think I can get ladybugs at my local garden center. It's time to bring out the big guns! :D

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I agree funny as F*@#k. telling you ralmao at this stinkyand yeh you sound as if you would be a bang on person to sit and have a beer and smoke with.funny lol.the postman

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

You are just as beautiful as I imagined Stinky!

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Nono, that's Demeter, You remember her, right? I'm the one WEARING the hat.

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

...the buggers could get out through the panel near the door knob if they really want to...have to imagine the draft snake would help though.

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lol you'll still find some around the house but any little thing to help keep them out of your sock drawer, right? lol

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

As for the Red Sox hats, I am currently sporting a black one (oh so fresh) because my navy blue one is beyond gross... .... While I'm open to the idea of having a ton of Boston hats, I like wearing one to high hell, then buying a new one for some reason.

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Yeah I know what you mean, I have a Chevy hat like that that is the dirtiest smelliest most perfect hat in the world. Shown in pic.. (you know that camo wetsuit is sexy! rrrowr!) and that pic was taken like um, 3 years ago? It has only improved with age!!!

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

Do you have AIM?

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nope but I'll send you my email, aight? Check your rep in a couple minutes.

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

What are your thoughts on Dice-K so far? He has me really confused...he shows moments of brilliance, but .....

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yeah... 'BUT' is right!!!
seriously, he's not the first athlete to succumb to the pressure of excessively high expectations... look at a-rod... he starts sucking so bad that everyone writes him off.. and then... BAM!
Dice-K could use a bit of ignoring for a while until he gets his groove back.

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

I am going to smoke a fat bowl and watch them play Toronto today (mlbtv.com is my only choice unfortunately)

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Yeah I'm probably going to try to catch as much of that game as possible down at the bar since I don't have cable atm. But I have SO MUCH SHIT TO DO!!!! I'm supposed to be moving furniture so one of my friends can come over and help me tear up carpeting this weekend... and instead I'm going to be getting crunked and watching baseball, I just know it, FUCK.

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Originally Posted by razzapiggy

I see so much of you helping other people, I would love to see your garden on this site... and perhaps see others helping YOU though you seem like a pro.

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I can't post garden pics any more ever since I got arrested. I'll be off probation in July.... :D Watch out canncom... hahaha!!!
I do get help, don't you worry... I have a secret weapon up my sleeve... a guy with a ton more horticultural experience than myself or pretty much anyone I know; we used to work at the same commercial greenhouse although not at the same time... lol you don't often get to witness my stumbling around trying to troubleshoot shit, but I assure you it DOES happen...hahaha I just am more likely to make a frantic phone call!

I.pay.the.little.kids.around.here.to.catch.me.lady bugs..

The.only.downside.I.find.with.lady.bugs.is.that.th ey.don't.last.too.long.because.the.damn.things.kee p.flying.into.my.damn.HIDs.So.I.put.them.in.right. at.lights.out.so.they.can.work.all.night.

Duh stinky, that is why I said just as beautiful as I imagined... your face is covered! =)

Thanks for the tips. I'll check my rep and be back at you very soon friend.