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parid09 · 11-21-2009, 04:01 PM

Hi y'all, just returning under a new alias. Thought I would pass on a battle report from the spider mite wars. After pulling everybody inside after the summer, I was fully expecting an attack from our little spotted friends, but did not expect the ferocity of it. After a month or so inside, the basjoos were ground zero and the wave quickly spread to the other species, so I ordered the triple whammy predator mites from an undisclosed supplier. Follwing directions after receipt, I sprinkled the carrier particles on the leaves and checked for the little mite tigers with a magnifying glass. ( I ordered 100 predators .. or so I thought ). After searching for about an hour, I saw a reddish mite staggering toward the edge of the leaf, and suspect it was probably headed somewhwere with suicide on it's mind. After contacting the supplier with my concerns, I was assured they were there somewhere, just be patient and they will prevail. After two weeks, I was beginning to think they had sent me more spider mites, because the population was exploding, and with more examination with the magnifier, saw billions of some very healthy spider mites. Many were getting so big I could swear I heard moo-ing. There were absolutely no predators in sight. I had paid $30.00 for some sawdust in a vial. I then filled up an old 409 bottle with rain water and started blasting both sides of the leaves and stems, following with a thorough wiping down with a towel. Every day, thereafter, I have blasted the plants with cold rainwater, and have not seen one of the little buggers since. Some of the previously attacked leaves are starting to yellow, but for the most part, new growth is more rapid than when they were outside. Last year, I had used insecticidal soap and other soap remedies and this resulted in some pretty sad looking plants, burnt leaves and black spots, so I caution against this approach. The wiping down method takes some time, depending on the number plants and their size, but so far for my guys, the results have been dramatic. If you buy predator mites, just make sure you see them when released!!! Good luck, and never give up!!

11-21-2009, 04:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
parid09 parid09's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 41 BananaBucks : 13,361 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 29 Times in 14 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Remorphed Hi y'all, just returning under a new alias. Thought I would pass on a battle report from the spider mite wars. After pulling everybody inside after the summer, I was fully expecting an attack from our little spotted friends, but did not expect the ferocity of it. After a month or so inside, the basjoos were ground zero and the wave quickly spread to the other species, so I ordered the triple whammy predator mites from an undisclosed supplier. Follwing directions after receipt, I sprinkled the carrier particles on the leaves and checked for the little mite tigers with a magnifying glass. ( I ordered 100 predators .. or so I thought ). After searching for about an hour, I saw a reddish mite staggering toward the edge of the leaf, and suspect it was probably headed somewhwere with suicide on it's mind. After contacting the supplier with my concerns, I was assured they were there somewhere, just be patient and they will prevail. After two weeks, I was beginning to think they had sent me more spider mites, because the population was exploding, and with more examination with the magnifier, saw billions of some very healthy spider mites. Many were getting so big I could swear I heard moo-ing. There were absolutely no predators in sight. I had paid $30.00 for some sawdust in a vial. I then filled up an old 409 bottle with rain water and started blasting both sides of the leaves and stems, following with a thorough wiping down with a towel. Every day, thereafter, I have blasted the plants with cold rainwater, and have not seen one of the little buggers since. Some of the previously attacked leaves are starting to yellow, but for the most part, new growth is more rapid than when they were outside. Last year, I had used insecticidal soap and other soap remedies and this resulted in some pretty sad looking plants, burnt leaves and black spots, so I caution against this approach. The wiping down method takes some time, depending on the number plants and their size, but so far for my guys, the results have been dramatic. If you buy predator mites, just make sure you see them when released!!! Good luck, and never give up!!