View Full Version : Oh no, is this spider mites on my papayas leaves?
Want Them All
01-19-2010, 10:49 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=29188&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=29188&ppuser=5976)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=29187&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=29187&ppuser=5976)
I just sprayed down the plants with the foam handwashing soap mixed with some water. I'ver read that a couple tablespoons of concentrated liquid dishwashing liquid per gallon is better, especially if it's lemon scented. Is that true? If so I'll do that. The webs look disgusting. Arghhh!
r3tic
01-20-2010, 01:17 PM
Yes, those are spider mites. I generally just put a couple of drops of dish liquid in warm water and wipe the leaves and stems down with a soft sponge. I repeat every three days for about two weeks. Soap only kills the adults, you retreat to kill any newly hatched mites. You may want to check the undersides of leaves and new growth on any plants in the area as well.
Want Them All
01-20-2010, 01:30 PM
Is it the ingredients in the soap that kills them? What about just spraying and wiping down with plain water? Just curious. I have a bunch of plumerias in there as well as a jackfruit seedling. Only the papayas get infested with spider mites. I suspect it's only a matter of time before all plants get the mites. What harmful effects will spider mites cause? Is it only a cosmetic problem or will the plant die if left untreated?
Thanks,
guerich
01-20-2010, 01:49 PM
Having some trouble myself, even though I use neem oil and humidifier. Has anyone here used the predator mites that eat the harmful spider mites? Good Luck.
sunfish
01-20-2010, 02:22 PM
They will kill the plant if you don't get them under controll
LilRaverBoi
01-20-2010, 02:29 PM
Mites will kill leaves and eventually the entire plant. They suck sap out of the plant and the initial damage usually appears as yellow/brown splotches on leaves. Then if allowed to get worse, entire leaves turn brown/die and the whole plant can die. Definitely get these controlled ASAP and don't allow them to get worse and/or spread to other plants in the area.
Something that Sandy recommended that has worked well for me is a solution of water, suave coconut shampoo and vegetable oil in a spray bottle. First go over things with a wet paper towel to remove any webs and most of the mites. Then start spraying. Make sure you fully saturate all surfaces of leaves (top/bottom, etc). Repeat in a week or so and as needed after that. Definitely keep an eye out for these...looks like the plant in the picture is pretty badly infected. Try to watch carefully for them in the future and don't let them get that bad before treating.
Want Them All
01-20-2010, 02:29 PM
They will kill the plant if you don't get them under controll
Alright, full on war tomorrow, I have all day off. I'm gonna wipe them suckers off the face of the earth! :ha:
Want Them All
01-20-2010, 02:31 PM
Mites will kill leaves and eventually the entire plant. They suck sap out of the plant and the initial damage usually appears as yellow/brown splotches on leaves. Then if allowed to get worse, entire leaves turn brown/die and the whole plant can die. Definitely get these controlled ASAP and don't allow them to get worse and/or spread to other plants in the area.
Something that Sandy recommended that has worked well for me is a solution of water, suave coconut shampoo and vegetable oil in a spray bottle. First go over things with a wet paper towel to remove any webs and most of the mites. Then start spraying. Make sure you fully saturate all surfaces of leaves (top/bottom, etc). Repeat in a week or so and as needed after that. Definitely keep an eye out for these...looks like the plant in the picture is pretty badly infected. Try to watch carefully for them in the future and don't let them get that bad before treating.
No wonder several of the leaves turned yellow and fell off. I'm gonna place several buckets of water in the area to raise the humidity level.
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