Oh no, is this spider mites on my papayas leaves?

Want Them All · 01-19-2010, 10:49 PM

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

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!

Want Them All · 01-20-2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRaverBoi

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.

01-19-2010, 10:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Want Them All Want Them All's Photo Gallery Location: Central California, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 553 BananaBucks : 464,825 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 333 Times in 140 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Oh no, is this spider mites on my papayas leaves? 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! __________________

01-20-2010, 01:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
r3tic r3tic's Photo Gallery Location: Drexel Hill, PA Find me on the map! Zone: 7-8 Name: Dave Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 216 BananaBucks : 45,446 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 531 Times Was Thanked 123 Times in 71 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 306 Times	Re: Oh no, is this spider mites on my papayas leaves? 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. __________________

01-20-2010, 01:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Want Them All Want Them All's Photo Gallery Location: Central California, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 553 BananaBucks : 464,825 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 333 Times in 140 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Oh no, is this spider mites on my papayas leaves? 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, __________________

01-20-2010, 01:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
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01-20-2010, 02:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
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01-20-2010, 02:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 114,013 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: Oh no, is this spider mites on my papayas leaves? 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. __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

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