So I hired an exterminator for spider mites...

[pfunk211]

I know a bunch of you commented about Avid and Floramite. That stuff is super toxic. Sure it kills mites, but what is it doing to my lungs? To my mom's lungs? What if those chemicals stay on the flower and she ingests them and they interact with the meds she's already on?

just want to clarify, i've never used avid or floramite on any flowering plant. i'd hit them when they were planted and again just before flowering. both products break down within a month (so they claim) so, as i believe it, there are no harmful residues left on the finished product.
so, yeah, like they've said- whatever way you get it done is that way to do it, just don't dick around with them (the mites).

the borg will one day rule the world!!

[Zedleppelin]

Avid breaks down in about 45 days, I think Floramite is about the same. Pyrethrum, soapy water, rubbing alcohol, neem oil, they all will kill mites, but they will not kill the eggs. You can kill every mite in your garden with a pyrethrum fogger but 6 hours later more eggs will hatch and within days those will lay more eggs and so on. If you have a small garden and are able to spray daily AND make sure you got every single mite then you may be able to get rid of them. Miss one mite and you'll soon be back to where you were. Avid gets absorbed in the leaves and makes the leaves deadly for mites, as soon as the eggs hatch the mites die the first time they eat lunch, whereas Floramite actually kills the eggs.

Nobody wants to use toxic chemicals but sometimes it becomes a necessary evil. I tried EVERYTHING to get rid of them for months, every time I thought I got rid of them they magically reappeared weeks later. I personally dont think there is anything to worry about of using Avid in veg. From the time a plant is put into flower until it is consumed almost 3 months have gone by. I dont think that can be said about most fruits and vegetables you buy, unless they are organic you can be sure they've been sprayed with some shit weeks before.

[cologrower420]

yeah, that's cool. everyone has their own way... sounds like that guy knows a lot more than i too.
however, i'd be careful letting people know about your grow regardless of your status. it's still a federal crime and people still have big mouths. extreme example but look what happened to old bartkowicz...

I totally agree that discretion is the name of the game.

In my case, my living situation is going to change soon, and I am only growing one plant, so anyone I speak to who might have 'other' ideas for my grow would quickly be dis-interested. Anyone who matters, is aware and no one cares. I'm pretty lucky.

[budsndrums]

Avid, Floramite or starting a new grow after cleaning every corner of your room is the only way to get rid of mites. Most people screw around with neem oil or pyrethrum only to find that they reappear after a few weeks.

I agree 100% - I was going crazy with some badass Humboldt bugs - three NPS strips (at once) didn't get it and neem oil is a complete fuckin waste of $, Floramite ended up FINALLY getting rid of them. these guys were bigger than any I have ever seen (the two-dotted ones) and they bred like rabbits on viagra. After that harvest I wiped off everything inside and within 20 feet of my tent with bleach, now not one bug on my 'masters'..fingers crossed.. but they do love dry summers and this has been the worst ever

[senorx12562]

I've come to the conclusion that when considering cost, my effort, and the certainty of safety and effectiveness, ladybugs are the best method for my situation. Your mileage may vary.

[SoCoMMJ]

I've come to the conclusion that when considering cost, my effort, and the certainty of safety and effectiveness, ladybugs are the best method for my situation. Your mileage may vary.

Ladybugs will refuse to go anywhere near sticky flowers.

[keikoasmom]

We had a terrible time with mites, aphids and even the bugs
that killed the grape (wine) crops in France at one time (I
forget the name of the bugs) with our first crop.

The NEEM oil helped a bit, but my son (who inadvertently gave us the bugs, thanks, buddy!) used ladybugs and had a beautiful second crop.

He got his at Aurora Hydro.
We used one of those yellow hangers this time and
Diatomaceous Earth. We still had aphids this time around,
but they don't hurt the crop, and run off of the hanging buds when they are drying.

[VapedG13]

Doctor Doom fogger $8.99 for a 5.5 oz can does a 15x15 ft room contains pyrethrin
if you do a treatment every 3 days for about 4 treaments (12 days) will break the mites life cycle... great to use if your in flower:hippy:

[BoulderToker]

Cool thread, yet another option when things get bad! Avid in veg always works wonders for me.