View Full Version : Spider mites
blownz281
05-23-2010, 03:31 PM
How often should I spray my potted nanners to get rid of these pests? I noticed them all over my Velutina nanners. I'm using the dawn soap/water spray bottle. I blasted all the nanners just in case and made sure they were soaking wet. I think I will cut back on some of the watering as well maybe that will help rid the pest? All these plants are healthy!
fergus banana
05-23-2010, 06:57 PM
every 3rd day. my indoor plants have spider mites and they never go away. i just have to keep them under control. bogus.
blownz281
05-23-2010, 06:59 PM
Why not everday? Thanks
fergus banana
05-23-2010, 07:05 PM
the eggs hatch about every 3 days. i use neem oil and it kills the mites immediately, but they lay eggs under the leaves which hatch in about 3 days, so you want to make sure you take care of them too.
blownz281
05-23-2010, 07:06 PM
Okay sounds good then Thanks!
LilRaverBoi
05-23-2010, 10:36 PM
I would check for the mites often on the undersides of leaves, removing webs when you see them (so you can later determine if webs are 'new'). As for treatment with spray I would say, to use a medical term, PRN....which means 'as needed.' When you see spider mites on the plants or evidence of them (webs, disrupted areas of foliage, etc) then spray thoroughly.
Also, why not move the plants outside? They do SOOOO much better outdoors and the humidity and moving air virtually does away with spider mites entirely. That would be my answer to spider mite issues this time of year. During the winter, it's another story...but for now, move them out if you can!
jmoore
05-24-2010, 09:15 AM
I agree, move them outside. If you absolutely must keep the bananas indoors then you need to keep the humidity very high by spraying with water.
There is no insecticide known to man that can cure your spidermite problem, nothing will kill/destroy the eggs. The only solution is prevention or use a natural predator of spidermites GroWell > Natural Predators (Red Spider Mites) (http://www.growell.co.uk/p/0413/Natural-Predators-Red-Spider-Mites-.html) (cue eveil laugh)
LilRaverBoi
05-24-2010, 09:45 AM
Think they can ship those during the winter? I would consider buying some for next winter if they will...but I kinda fear they'd die in transit if they did ship them.
jmoore
05-24-2010, 10:16 AM
There must be suppliers in the US.
I should imagine they are available all year round.
blownz281
05-24-2010, 11:47 AM
Well the ants found them and watched them going after them so nature should take care of it!
The Hollyberry Lady
05-25-2010, 09:04 PM
I find that regular and consistent hard sprays of water especially on the undersides of all my plant leaves, keeps mites completely away.
If I have an infestation, I initially kill them all with a mist bottle filled with dish soapy water, then I rinse thoroughly. Every couple of days for about a week I continue the showers, then once a week thereafter.
For me, mites have become a problem of the past.
: )
CookieCows
05-25-2010, 10:28 PM
I used to move a small humidifier around each day and point it near my plants. For the last two winters I've devoted a spare room to most of the plants and upgraded to a larger humidifier that turns on and off and found that between 40% - 50% humidity will keep the mites completely gone. There's an old thread somewhere that explains how water breaks them down. Keep misting the undersides of the leaves each day with water if you don't have a humidifier.
Good luck!!
The Hollyberry Lady
05-26-2010, 01:00 AM
Excellent information, Deb. Thanks.
I agree, and have tried nearly everything to get control of mites over the years but have found nothing so successful and effective as plain old water.
The real trick is consistency and this why most people resort to commercial pesticides and the like, because they think a blast of water once will cure the problem. It must be done regularily to be successfully rid of them for good.
: )
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