OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo

diloretta · 01-12-2009, 02:35 PM

OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo (he was too little to leave outdoors this winter in upstate New York) and have followed suggestions for their demise - soapy water, alcohol, and cut off parts that were just too far gone.

Are the mites coming out of the dirt, and if so can I improvise a "hair net" -I'm thinking of pantyhose - stretched over the top of the dirt to keep the mites under until they die.

Diloretta

Bob · 01-12-2009, 03:15 PM

Hi diloretta. You should have no trouble controlling these with insecticidal soap. Soapy water is fine as long as it's not detergent. Cutting off severly infected leaves wont hurt it (they'll probably die if infection is severe anyway)and you'll get rid of those mites before treatment.As far as the soil you might try bringing the little guy to the bathtub and flood the container a couple of times. This should help. Good luck.

damaclese · 01-12-2009, 03:20 PM

the best that i ever found to ues for them is dawn dish washing detergin spray leav on over night spray with cean clear water the nexst day make sure you spray undersid of leafs as well as stems and the top of the soil and the intgher pot as well and in and around the place were the pot is seting of you have plants within 10ft of it spray them and the floor inbetwen too

diloretta · 01-12-2009, 03:32 PM

Thanks - I gave it a shower in the tub 2 days ago and I will do it again today. I washed him it with Ivory dish washing detergent. I have lots of plants in the house - none near it - and it's the only one with mites. Crossed fingers.

Diloretta

Chironex · 01-12-2009, 03:35 PM

To clarify Pauly's post, just a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a sprayer-full of water. mskitty suggests using Dawn dish soap, but I would imagine any ordinary dish soap would do it. I would avoid those will added fragrance, bleach, etc. Perhaps Ivory???

CookieCows · 01-12-2009, 03:46 PM

The experience I've had is that no matter how well you get rid of the spider mites, if you don't keep the humidity up around the plants with either a humidifier or lots of constant misting with a spray bottle they come right back. Last year I gave up with the spray bottle and ended up putting a chair in front of my little group of plants and sat a humidifier on it and pointed it at the plants. Not too close as it comes out hot. This winter I have too many and have devoted a spare room to plants with the humidifier going like gangbusters in the middle of the room. So far, so good!

Deb

diloretta · 01-12-2009, 03:52 PM

I just flooded it again. Are the little white wriggling worms that float on top what turn into mites?

The worms are small - could get maybe a half dozen or more on the head of a pin. There are lots of them. Or are they just something else that lives in the dirt?

And I thought we were supposed to keep these on the dry side - or do I keep the dirt dry and keep misting the top?

Diloretta

Chironex · 01-12-2009, 03:54 PM

Those sound like some sort of larvae or nematodes. Not quite sure until I see themm but I imagine it would be difficult to photograph the little buggers.

damaclese · 01-12-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chironex

To clarify Pauly's post, just a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a sprayer-full of water. mskitty suggests using Dawn dish soap, but I would imagine any ordinary dish soap would do it. I would avoid those will added fragrance, bleach, etc. Perhaps Ivory???

yes sorry i meant just a few drops in the spray bottle its more then enough

diloretta · 01-12-2009, 05:01 PM

No - can't photograph them - way too small and swimming too fast.

I googled spider mite larvae to find a picture and that's not them. So I won't worry about them.

Diloretta

Chironex · 01-12-2009, 05:08 PM

Here is a good basic site for nematodes and explains their differences, etc.
Nematodes - Scoop on Soil

brettay · 01-12-2009, 06:33 PM

It could be fungus gnat larvae in your soil.

diloretta · 01-12-2009, 06:38 PM

Fungus gnat larvae looks like what I've got. Wikipedia says I should rake the soil and fluff it up to get more air exposure.

Okey dokey I'll do it but the dirt is to wet tonight.

diloretta · 01-15-2009, 05:13 PM

Day three - no mites - fingers crossed.

Patty in Wisc · 02-07-2009, 06:10 AM

My Dad always put newspaper over the soil in pots to kill bugs in it. Water right over the paper.
Dawn dishsoap is good (recomended by mskitty) because it is a little thicker/concentrated & will stick to leaves better.

Sodak · 02-08-2009, 04:34 PM

You could always use a systemic inseciticide on your Basjoo. If you don't eat the fruit, you won't have a problem. A little will kill the fungus gnats, larvae, and any spider mites you might have. You will need to replenish the systemic every 8 weeks or so.

I used some on my indoor potted Basjoo in September and I'm still mite free for the first time ever with just one application.

diloretta · 03-01-2009, 01:07 PM

A month and no more bugs

51st state · 03-01-2009, 04:23 PM

good luck with that. I had a really bad infestation last fall. i tried pretty much every chemical i could throw at them, also tried diatomaceous earth and after the hardest winter in 20 years I have to report that the little bstrds are still thriving so it's time to up the ante. I've just ordered predatory mites which will be turned loose on them shortly

diloretta · 03-01-2009, 04:25 PM

Didn't use any chemicals - just soapy water with a little alcohol. Washed leaves every day for several day. Flushed out soil 3 times.

Sodak · 03-01-2009, 06:43 PM

I still don't have any mites since Sep. 1st Winter ever without an infestation. Systemic works. If it doesn't, you're probably not using it right.

01-12-2009, 02:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
diloretta Diloretta Location: Elmira, New York Zone: 6 Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 31 BananaBucks : 47,220 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 17 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo (he was too little to leave outdoors this winter in upstate New York) and have followed suggestions for their demise - soapy water, alcohol, and cut off parts that were just too far gone. Are the mites coming out of the dirt, and if so can I improvise a "hair net" -I'm thinking of pantyhose - stretched over the top of the dirt to keep the mites under until they die. Diloretta

01-12-2009, 03:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,528 BananaBucks : 228,620 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo Hi diloretta. You should have no trouble controlling these with insecticidal soap. Soapy water is fine as long as it's not detergent. Cutting off severly infected leaves wont hurt it (they'll probably die if infection is severe anyway)and you'll get rid of those mites before treatment.As far as the soil you might try bringing the little guy to the bathtub and flood the container a couple of times. This should help. Good luck. __________________

01-12-2009, 03:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
damaclese Living in Exile damaclese's Photo Gallery Location: Henderson NV Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Mediterranean climate Name: Paulo Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,767 BananaBucks : 315,689 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,352 Times Was Thanked 1,620 Times in 706 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 101 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo the best that i ever found to ues for them is dawn dish washing detergin spray leav on over night spray with cean clear water the nexst day make sure you spray undersid of leafs as well as stems and the top of the soil and the intgher pot as well and in and around the place were the pot is seting of you have plants within 10ft of it spray them and the floor inbetwen too __________________ Helping to foster understanding for the learning disabled

01-12-2009, 03:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
diloretta Diloretta Location: Elmira, New York Zone: 6 Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 31 BananaBucks : 47,220 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 17 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo Thanks - I gave it a shower in the tub 2 days ago and I will do it again today. I washed him it with Ivory dish washing detergent. I have lots of plants in the house - none near it - and it's the only one with mites. Crossed fingers. Diloretta

01-12-2009, 03:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 143,979 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo To clarify Pauly's post, just a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a sprayer-full of water. mskitty suggests using Dawn dish soap, but I would imagine any ordinary dish soap would do it. I would avoid those will added fragrance, bleach, etc. Perhaps Ivory??? __________________ Scot

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01-12-2009, 03:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
CookieCows Member CookieCows's Photo Gallery Location: Kentucky Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: Deb Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,182 BananaBucks : 81,362 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,347 Times Was Thanked 696 Times in 393 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 159 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo The experience I've had is that no matter how well you get rid of the spider mites, if you don't keep the humidity up around the plants with either a humidifier or lots of constant misting with a spray bottle they come right back. Last year I gave up with the spray bottle and ended up putting a chair in front of my little group of plants and sat a humidifier on it and pointed it at the plants. Not too close as it comes out hot. This winter I have too many and have devoted a spare room to plants with the humidifier going like gangbusters in the middle of the room. So far, so good! Deb __________________

01-12-2009, 03:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
diloretta Diloretta Location: Elmira, New York Zone: 6 Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 31 BananaBucks : 47,220 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 17 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo I just flooded it again. Are the little white wriggling worms that float on top what turn into mites? The worms are small - could get maybe a half dozen or more on the head of a pin. There are lots of them. Or are they just something else that lives in the dirt? And I thought we were supposed to keep these on the dry side - or do I keep the dirt dry and keep misting the top? Diloretta

01-12-2009, 03:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 143,979 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo Those sound like some sort of larvae or nematodes. Not quite sure until I see themm but I imagine it would be difficult to photograph the little buggers. __________________ Scot

01-12-2009, 05:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
diloretta Diloretta Location: Elmira, New York Zone: 6 Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 31 BananaBucks : 47,220 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 17 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo No - can't photograph them - way too small and swimming too fast. I googled spider mite larvae to find a picture and that's not them. So I won't worry about them. Diloretta

01-12-2009, 05:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 143,979 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo Here is a good basic site for nematodes and explains their differences, etc. Nematodes - Scoop on Soil __________________ Scot

01-12-2009, 06:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
brettay Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 21 BananaBucks : 10,793 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo It could be fungus gnat larvae in your soil.

01-12-2009, 06:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
diloretta Diloretta Location: Elmira, New York Zone: 6 Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 31 BananaBucks : 47,220 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 17 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo Fungus gnat larvae looks like what I've got. Wikipedia says I should rake the soil and fluff it up to get more air exposure. Okey dokey I'll do it but the dirt is to wet tonight.

01-15-2009, 05:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
diloretta Diloretta Location: Elmira, New York Zone: 6 Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 31 BananaBucks : 47,220 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 17 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo Day three - no mites - fingers crossed.

02-07-2009, 06:10 AM	#15 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 379,029 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo My Dad always put newspaper over the soil in pots to kill bugs in it. Water right over the paper. Dawn dishsoap is good (recomended by mskitty) because it is a little thicker/concentrated & will stick to leaves better. __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

02-08-2009, 04:34 PM	#16 (permalink)
Sodak Northern Grower Location: Black Hills, Dakota Territory Zone: 5A Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 115 BananaBucks : 43,817 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 16 Times Was Thanked 12 Times in 5 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo You could always use a systemic inseciticide on your Basjoo. If you don't eat the fruit, you won't have a problem. A little will kill the fungus gnats, larvae, and any spider mites you might have. You will need to replenish the systemic every 8 weeks or so. I used some on my indoor potted Basjoo in September and I'm still mite free for the first time ever with just one application.

03-01-2009, 01:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
diloretta Diloretta Location: Elmira, New York Zone: 6 Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 31 BananaBucks : 47,220 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 17 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo A month and no more bugs

03-01-2009, 04:23 PM	#18 (permalink)
51st state many 'naners, little time 51st state's Photo Gallery Location: salisbury, UK Find me on the map! Zone: 8b ish Name: Kev Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 465 BananaBucks : 346,412 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 202 Times Was Thanked 259 Times in 126 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo good luck with that. I had a really bad infestation last fall. i tried pretty much every chemical i could throw at them, also tried diatomaceous earth and after the hardest winter in 20 years I have to report that the little bstrds are still thriving so it's time to up the ante. I've just ordered predatory mites which will be turned loose on them shortly __________________ a>

03-01-2009, 04:25 PM	#19 (permalink)
diloretta Diloretta Location: Elmira, New York Zone: 6 Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 31 BananaBucks : 47,220 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 17 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo Didn't use any chemicals - just soapy water with a little alcohol. Washed leaves every day for several day. Flushed out soil 3 times.

03-01-2009, 06:43 PM	#20 (permalink)
Sodak Northern Grower Location: Black Hills, Dakota Territory Zone: 5A Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 115 BananaBucks : 43,817 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 16 Times Was Thanked 12 Times in 5 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: OK, so I've got mites on my indoor basjoo I still don't have any mites since Sep. 1st Winter ever without an infestation. Systemic works. If it doesn't, you're probably not using it right.

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