Spider Mites

Grog · 06-23-2008, 04:38 PM

Does anyone have a spider mite remedy? The leaves on my plants are turning brown and dying as fast as it can produce new ones. I'm afraid I'm going to loose it if this continues.

Taylor · 06-23-2008, 04:45 PM

Insecticidal soap works well, dilute the concentrate, then spray on the leaves, both sides.

sandy0225 · 06-23-2008, 04:51 PM

Insecticidal soap will work but be careful not to do it in full sun or to put the plant in sun right afterwards or you'll burn it up. Avid is a good one, but $$$. I just now got to where I could afford to try it, and it does work good.

Richard · 06-23-2008, 04:54 PM

Green Light Fruit Tree Spray.

buzzwinder · 06-23-2008, 06:28 PM

I overwintered my nanners in a three season room in N. Il. using electric heaters ( Expensive ) not rec. Had two bouts with spider mites. 1 Ounce Fish Emulsion per gallon of water took care of them both times, not sure if it smothered them or they just couldn't stand the smell for two days, and ran off to freeze out side. I used a spray bottle and face mask, wife and kids complained but it dissipated after 2 or 3 days, no smell in the house, JUST DON"T OPEN THAT DOOR!!!!!!!! for a few of days.

Chironex · 06-23-2008, 06:39 PM

Here's what I use, 100% organic, no chemicals and 100% effective.
Go to your nearest NAPA Auto Parts store and buy a 25# bag of "Super Absorbent" part no. 8822 for about $10-13.
It is 100% diatomaceous earth. I just scoop about 1/2 cup with a small coffee strainer. Put a funnel in your misting sprayer and set this strainer on top. Pour water through the strainer (enough water to fill the sprayer) and spray it directly onto the plant. Aphids, spider mites and such are gone in 1-2 days. 100% pesticide and chemical free. The diatomaceous earth is made up of tiny crystals that slice and dice the little pests as they crawl on it.
Another great use for this is as a soil-less seed starting medium. It's cheaper than perlite or vermiculite and you won't get any damping off. Plus if you spill some liquid or if your car leaks fluid, you can also use it to absorb the spill.
One word of advice, it is dusty when you open the bag, so do so carefully. If you're asthmatic, wear a dust mask. Keep the sack in your garage and it will last forever. Lots of bonsai books recommend it for bonsai tree soil as well. Oh, and you can also use it as cat litter.

mskitty38583 · 06-23-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chironex

Oh, and you can also use it as cat litter.

it almost sounds like the chalk i hauled in ga called "fullers earth".

kimarj · 06-23-2008, 09:33 PM

Wow

what a great idea the super absorbent is

I can use it for them pesky slugs and earwigs too

Thanks

Kim

natedogg1026 · 06-23-2008, 11:28 PM

I have found that spraying the plant off helps quite a bit. Also take a soft rag or a sponge and rub the whole plant down after you spray it then rinse. Basically a sponge bath for your nana.

Also, Orthanex worked for me, if you wanna go drastic. You can get it at Home Depot.

Chironex · 06-24-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mskitty38583

it almost sounds like the chalk i hauled in ga called "fullers earth".

It is similar in that it is a silicate. Diatomaceous earth is actually the fossilized exoskeletons of prehistoric algae. These diatoms are microscopic and extremely sharp to the tiny critters like spider mites, aphids and such. It actually cuts them open when they crawl over it. To us it just looks like "oil dry" or kitty litter.
I am using it for seed germination and keep a sprayer full of the DE water to control any invading bugs/insects that might think about harming my plants. Works like a charm!

mskitty38583 · 06-24-2008, 10:17 AM

thats good to know. thanks for the info. can it be sprayed in the house without harm to humans or animals in liquid form? im thinking about moving my aquarium into the den( extra humididty in the winter time for my nanas) and i hope its not harmful to fish.

momoese · 06-24-2008, 10:36 AM

Diatomaceous earth is also an organic way of killing fleas and anything else that it comes in contact with. It works by dehydrating the bugs over the course of a few days. I use it as part of my organic flea prevention program in conjunction with several other things. I refuse to apply the toxic poisons like Frontline and Advantage to my dogs any longer.

From Wikipedia: Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It is used as a filtration aid, as a mild abrasive, as a mechanical insecticide, as an absorbent for liquids, as cat litter, as an activator in blood clotting studies, and as a component of dynamite. As it is also heat-resistant, it can be used as a thermal insulator.

mskitty38583 · 06-24-2008, 10:41 AM

ok im sold on it!!! thanks yall.

Richard · 06-24-2008, 11:06 AM

Well I agree, Orthonex is pretty extreme and its not for use on fruiting/edible plants. Diatomaceous earth kills insects by slicing them -- on their scale it is like a pile of razors and barbwire fence. It is most effective on soft bodied insects and not on spiders or flying pests that don't contact or lay eggs in the soil -- like leaf miners. Still, it is a good ingredient as part of a pest management plan. I like to apply it on top of my mulch -- esp. since slugs and snails hate it. You'll find it at a big box store in the pool chemical section.

momoese · 06-24-2008, 11:09 AM

Just be careful with it in the house. It's very messy!

mskitty38583 · 06-24-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momoese

It's very messy!

oh so it will fit in with the decor of my house. rotflmao!!!!!!! thanks mitchel. lol.

momoese · 06-24-2008, 11:16 AM

Another form of organic mite control is predator mites. Here is some info.

The Spider Mite Control Info Page

Lard Greystoke · 06-24-2008, 07:48 PM

A very cheap method is to dilute some detergent or liquid soap in water, spray on all surfaces of plant. Eliminates surface tension of water, overcoming waterproof covering of bugs' respiratory systems, drowning them. Has no residual effect so you have to keep doing it. Could damage waxy layer covering leaves, causing discoloration.

A warning on diatomaceous earth: it will "slice and dice" the inside of your lungs same as bugs' exoskeletons, so be careful not to inhale.

06-23-2008, 04:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Grog Find me on the map! Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 7 BananaBucks : 428 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Welcomes: 0	Spider Mites Does anyone have a spider mite remedy? The leaves on my plants are turning brown and dying as fast as it can produce new ones. I'm afraid I'm going to loose it if this continues.

06-23-2008, 04:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Taylor KING OF KORM. Taylor 's Photo Gallery Location: VA Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Taylor Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,415 BananaBucks : 11,309 Feedback: 13 / 100% Thanks: 192 Thanked 153 Times in 100 Posts Welcomes: 194	Re: Spider Mites Insecticidal soap works well, dilute the concentrate, then spray on the leaves, both sides. __________________ Taylor Update: 23 California Gold fruit expected by Thanksgiving! Harvested!

06-23-2008, 04:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 480 BananaBucks : 8,045 Feedback: 18 / 100% Thanks: 1 Thanked 115 Times in 63 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Spider Mites Insecticidal soap will work but be careful not to do it in full sun or to put the plant in sun right afterwards or you'll burn it up. Avid is a good one, but $$$. I just now got to where I could afford to try it, and it does work good. __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website!

06-23-2008, 04:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Richard Hermitian Operator Richard's Photo Gallery Location: NW San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9+ / 10- Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,427 BananaBucks : 226 Feedback: 4 / 100% Thanks: 363 Thanked 588 Times in 388 Posts Welcomes: 624	Re: Spider Mites Green Light Fruit Tree Spray. __________________ . . . http://www.plantsthatproduce.com

06-23-2008, 06:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
buzzwinder buzzwinder's Photo Gallery Location: Loves Park, Il. Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bill Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 464 BananaBucks : 1,030 Feedback: 3 / 100% Thanks: 154 Thanked 121 Times in 109 Posts Welcomes: 290	Re: Spider Mites I overwintered my nanners in a three season room in N. Il. using electric heaters ( Expensive ) not rec. Had two bouts with spider mites. 1 Ounce Fish Emulsion per gallon of water took care of them both times, not sure if it smothered them or they just couldn't stand the smell for two days, and ran off to freeze out side. I used a spray bottle and face mask, wife and kids complained but it dissipated after 2 or 3 days, no smell in the house, JUST DON"T OPEN THAT DOOR!!!!!!!! for a few of days. __________________ Bill

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06-23-2008, 06:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chironex Dayyyyyyyy-O Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Las Vegas, NV Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,227 BananaBucks : 567 Feedback: 5 / 100% Thanks: 1,910 Thanked 323 Times in 226 Posts Welcomes: 251	Re: Spider Mites Here's what I use, 100% organic, no chemicals and 100% effective. Go to your nearest NAPA Auto Parts store and buy a 25# bag of "Super Absorbent" part no. 8822 for about $10-13. It is 100% diatomaceous earth. I just scoop about 1/2 cup with a small coffee strainer. Put a funnel in your misting sprayer and set this strainer on top. Pour water through the strainer (enough water to fill the sprayer) and spray it directly onto the plant. Aphids, spider mites and such are gone in 1-2 days. 100% pesticide and chemical free. The diatomaceous earth is made up of tiny crystals that slice and dice the little pests as they crawl on it. Another great use for this is as a soil-less seed starting medium. It's cheaper than perlite or vermiculite and you won't get any damping off. Plus if you spill some liquid or if your car leaks fluid, you can also use it to absorb the spill. One word of advice, it is dusty when you open the bag, so do so carefully. If you're asthmatic, wear a dust mask. Keep the sack in your garage and it will last forever. Lots of bonsai books recommend it for bonsai tree soil as well. Oh, and you can also use it as cat litter. __________________ Scot "Grow 'em if ya got 'em!"

06-23-2008, 09:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
kimarj kimarj kimarj's Photo Gallery Location: Philadelphia PA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 - 7 Name: Kim Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 66 BananaBucks : 547 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 177 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Welcomes: 29	Re: Spider Mites Wow what a great idea the super absorbent is I can use it for them pesky slugs and earwigs too Thanks Kim

06-23-2008, 11:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
natedogg1026 Banana addict natedogg1026's Photo Gallery Location: Pittsburg, Kansas Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 616 BananaBucks : 8,661 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 134 Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts Welcomes: 3	Re: Spider Mites I have found that spraying the plant off helps quite a bit. Also take a soft rag or a sponge and rub the whole plant down after you spray it then rinse. Basically a sponge bath for your nana. Also, Orthanex worked for me, if you wanna go drastic. You can get it at Home Depot. __________________ Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

06-24-2008, 10:17 AM	#11 (permalink)
mskitty38583 banana junkie mskitty38583 's Photo Gallery Location: sparta, tn. Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: mskitty Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3,598 BananaBucks : 16,946 Feedback: 24 / 100% Thanks: 23 Thanked 466 Times in 396 Posts Welcomes: 59	Re: Spider Mites thats good to know. thanks for the info. can it be sprayed in the house without harm to humans or animals in liquid form? im thinking about moving my aquarium into the den( extra humididty in the winter time for my nanas) and i hope its not harmful to fish. __________________ WELCOME TO THE GATOR NATION "kokomo" beach boys:

06-24-2008, 10:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
momoese Organic Mechanic momoese's Photo Gallery Location: West Los Angeles CA Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Name: Mitchel Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,983 BananaBucks : 30,254 Feedback: 9 / 100% Thanks: 36 Thanked 381 Times in 208 Posts Welcomes: 91	Re: Spider Mites Diatomaceous earth is also an organic way of killing fleas and anything else that it comes in contact with. It works by dehydrating the bugs over the course of a few days. I use it as part of my organic flea prevention program in conjunction with several other things. I refuse to apply the toxic poisons like Frontline and Advantage to my dogs any longer. From Wikipedia: Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It is used as a filtration aid, as a mild abrasive, as a mechanical insecticide, as an absorbent for liquids, as cat litter, as an activator in blood clotting studies, and as a component of dynamite. As it is also heat-resistant, it can be used as a thermal insulator. __________________ Mitchel

06-24-2008, 10:41 AM	#13 (permalink)
mskitty38583 banana junkie mskitty38583 's Photo Gallery Location: sparta, tn. Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: mskitty Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3,598 BananaBucks : 16,946 Feedback: 24 / 100% Thanks: 23 Thanked 466 Times in 396 Posts Welcomes: 59	Re: Spider Mites ok im sold on it!!! thanks yall. __________________ WELCOME TO THE GATOR NATION "kokomo" beach boys:

06-24-2008, 11:06 AM	#14 (permalink)
Richard Hermitian Operator Richard's Photo Gallery Location: NW San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9+ / 10- Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,427 BananaBucks : 226 Feedback: 4 / 100% Thanks: 363 Thanked 588 Times in 388 Posts Welcomes: 624	Re: Spider Mites Well I agree, Orthonex is pretty extreme and its not for use on fruiting/edible plants. Diatomaceous earth kills insects by slicing them -- on their scale it is like a pile of razors and barbwire fence. It is most effective on soft bodied insects and not on spiders or flying pests that don't contact or lay eggs in the soil -- like leaf miners. Still, it is a good ingredient as part of a pest management plan. I like to apply it on top of my mulch -- esp. since slugs and snails hate it. You'll find it at a big box store in the pool chemical section. __________________ . . . http://www.plantsthatproduce.com

06-24-2008, 11:09 AM	#15 (permalink)
momoese Organic Mechanic momoese's Photo Gallery Location: West Los Angeles CA Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Name: Mitchel Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,983 BananaBucks : 30,254 Feedback: 9 / 100% Thanks: 36 Thanked 381 Times in 208 Posts Welcomes: 91	Re: Spider Mites Just be careful with it in the house. It's very messy! __________________ Mitchel

06-24-2008, 11:16 AM	#17 (permalink)
momoese Organic Mechanic momoese's Photo Gallery Location: West Los Angeles CA Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Name: Mitchel Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,983 BananaBucks : 30,254 Feedback: 9 / 100% Thanks: 36 Thanked 381 Times in 208 Posts Welcomes: 91	Re: Spider Mites Another form of organic mite control is predator mites. Here is some info. The Spider Mite Control Info Page __________________ Mitchel

06-24-2008, 07:48 PM	#18 (permalink)
Lard Greystoke Location: Central Ohio Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 30 BananaBucks : 355 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Spider Mites A very cheap method is to dilute some detergent or liquid soap in water, spray on all surfaces of plant. Eliminates surface tension of water, overcoming waterproof covering of bugs' respiratory systems, drowning them. Has no residual effect so you have to keep doing it. Could damage waxy layer covering leaves, causing discoloration. A warning on diatomaceous earth: it will "slice and dice" the inside of your lungs same as bugs' exoskeletons, so be careful not to inhale.