View Full Version : Long lasting miticide?
Sodak
10-20-2007, 01:35 PM
I brought about 10 bananas in pots indoors about 2 weeks ago, and take them out on warm days to sun. I noticed yesterday that most of the plants were covered with spider mite webs on top and bottom of the leaves. The mites exploded when I brought them in. I didn't have any problem with them while they were out.
I understand mites love dry, calm air which obviously contributes to the mite explosion. I can spray with oil, soap, cool water, whatever. But those are only temporary solutions that kill the existing mites. I do not expect, nor care if the fruit are edible if I ever get any, but grow them only as ornamentals.
Is there a long lasting miticide that can be applied that will protect the plants form infestation for several months? Are they effective?
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
D_&_T
10-20-2007, 02:00 PM
not sure, we use soapy water as to kids and pets inside and out
Dan & Tara
bananimal
10-20-2007, 06:18 PM
Sodak,
Is there a long lasting miticide that can be applied that will protect the plants form infestation for several months? Are they effective?
As long as you don't care about eating the fruit there is a very effective insecticide to use. It's systemic, and will penetrate all tissue including the roots. Spray all surfaces, especially underside of leaves. Also the pot - top, sides and bottom. Then mix some in a dedicated watering can and water the pot as usual - to drench. Let the plants dry out in the shade. I use disposable laytex gloves. Also, it stinks bad, so put them downwind of the house.
Ortho "Systemic Insect Killer" -- formerly called Isotox. Used it only on the E. Maurelii, strictly an ornamental. After 2 months I just found out the mites have returned. Forgot to spray the pot surfaces - woof! Here we go again.
Don't forget to label the sprayer and watering can "For systemics only".
Can't wait for the Maurelii to get large enough to plant outside. The lizzards and treefrogs will take it from there.
Dan
sandy0225
10-20-2007, 06:35 PM
Your mites will eventually get resistant to the Isotox. And then it will quit working. You have to rotate pesticides or your pests will develop resistance.
In other words, the ones it didn't kill will reproduce, and then when you spray it again, those ones it didn't kill, it won't kill them again, and they will enjoy the little shower and then reproduce again. A common greenhouse problem.
You have to rotate it with other ones such as the avid, triact, ovation, akari, etc. ( and you might as well wipe them off with dollar bills, it will cost you the same.)
Your best bet is one of two approaches, one is to cut off all the leaves off the plant and spray to the point of runoff with a dormant oil spray, it will smother the mites... the other is to keep spraying once a week or even more often like once every few days with an oil based soap and water mix such as 1 T suave coconut shampoo mixed with 1T cooking oil or neem in a gallon of water, and increase the humidity around the plant. Don't spray in full sun or super bright lights.
Any of these methods will work, but the spraying with the shampoo/water will surely be cheaper and more user friendly.
(LUCKILY, I've never had to deal with the mites before, ha ha ha...and if you believe that, I have a greenhouse to sell you full of bananas!)
Tropicallvr
10-20-2007, 07:02 PM
I've tried neem, plain water, pyretheum bombs, but my favorite is something called "pest out". It has clove oil, and alot of other oils. It's Organic, but really powerful, and it pays not to put too much in your water bottle mix. I melted some leaves by doing too strong a mix. It also pays not to get any runoff from any sprays in your soil.
Pyretheum bombs work OK, but you usally have to do it twice three days apart, and even though it's not supposed to be bad for humans, I still don't believe it(cough, cough).
Here's a link to some Organic products-
http://botanical.com/hydro/pest/pest.html
jason
10-20-2007, 10:08 PM
:hiiiiyanana: I brought about 10 bananas in pots indoors about 2 weeks ago, and take them out on warm days to sun. I noticed yesterday that most of the plants were covered with spider mite webs on top and bottom of the leaves. The mites exploded when I brought them in. I didn't have any problem with them while they were out.
I understand mites love dry, calm air which obviously contributes to the mite explosion. I can spray with oil, soap, cool water, whatever. But those are only temporary solutions that kill the existing mites. I do not expect, nor care if the fruit are edible if I ever get any, but grow them only as ornamentals.
Is there a long lasting miticide that can be applied that will protect the plants form infestation for several months? Are they effective?
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Mites are nearly impossible to get rid of,they can be controlled if every few days you can spray and wipe leaves off and spray with some insect soap spray,The plants that I can fit in the shower get a shower about once a month that really seems to be the most affective and labor intenssive way to keep the mites in check enough to were they are not damaging your plant.systemic sprays in my belief do not work very good I have tried them all,but they do say if mixed with a lower p.h water they become a little more affective.....Anything that use to work no longer is on the market due to it being considered bad for the enviorment,,I think ortho and scotts and other companies had alot to due with stuff that use to work and kill bugs not being on the market anymore,I mean why would I wana sell you a product that works for nine months ,when I can sell you a product that only works for a month and than you have to buy some more,,its always about the MONEY!!!!!! What a shame.Take care-Jason. Thank you!
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