Spider Mites - Page 3

Richard · 01-08-2009, 11:42 PM

The there is a health and safety regulation that diatomaceous earth labeled for swimming pool filtration be pH neutral. So regardless of the source, this D.E. should have no significant salt content. I say "should" because checking the pH of a teaspoon of it in a cup of distilled water is a prudent thing to do.

By the way, most people are familiar with salts making things alkaline, but there are plenty of salts that are acid forming.

jack hagenaars · 01-08-2009, 11:58 PM

Best Luck I've had JC is with alcohol (70%) and or plain soapy water with a few drops of oil to increase surface area tension.

JCDerrick · 01-09-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack hagenaars

Best Luck I've had JC is with alcohol (70%) and or plain soapy water with a few drops of oil to increase surface area tension.

How's the smell with the alcohol? I might try that in mist form if the smell's not so bad - I have two in the foyer now bc of their height (the actually outgrew my 11' garage last week), so I have to watch the odor in the house.

I've always been hesitant to use dish soap in a spray - but I guess as long as I don't poor it on, what's the harm. Anything to avoid the more serious chemicals.

Lagniappe · 01-09-2009, 02:53 AM

I tell you guys, these mites have me worked up pretty good this year. My recent outbreak was explosive and took me by surprise. I've applied the DE, and fogged with an organic pyrethrin but these devils are making a comeback.
After researching chitinase producing organisms in compost tea and finding out that they can be applied as a foliar spray, I've decided to give it a go. I usually only treat my outdoor bedded plants with this but now I understand the biology of container plants can be as rich as those [plants] in the ground.
There are claims of tea applications promoting the production of chitinase by plants too.
It would be great to have my plants repel the insects on their own and I have a mealy bug infestation on my pony tail palms that could serve,alongside the mite infestation, as a control group. I'll apply the tea to half of my mite infestation and one of my pony tails and keep you guys up to date on the progress.
Fingers crossed now!

JCDerrick · 01-09-2009, 09:27 AM

Good luck Pete. I'll especially be interested in your results on the mealy bugs. Spider mites annoy the heck out of me, but normally I can fight them off. The mealy bugs keep getting on my pothos plants and are the devil to get rid of again - too many hiding places.

jack hagenaars · 01-09-2009, 06:17 PM

Well,my experience is that the alcohol works on the mealy bug too...the smell is not too bad...it disapates into the air quickly......good luck!

JCDerrick · 01-09-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack hagenaars

Well,my experience is that the alcohol works on the mealy bug too...the smell is not too bad...it disapates into the air quickly......good luck!

Thanks, I also meant to ask if you use a specific type?

Patty in Wisc · 01-09-2009, 11:35 PM

JC, any rubbing alcohol will do. You can get it at Walgreens or even your grocery store. It doesn't leave a bad odor...if anything it smells clean.

01-08-2009, 11:42 PM	#41 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 994,995 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,537 Times in 4,719 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Spider Mites The there is a health and safety regulation that diatomaceous earth labeled for swimming pool filtration be pH neutral. So regardless of the source, this D.E. should have no significant salt content. I say "should" because checking the pH of a teaspoon of it in a cup of distilled water is a prudent thing to do. By the way, most people are familiar with salts making things alkaline, but there are plenty of salts that are acid forming. __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com Last edited by Richard : 01-08-2009 at 11:44 PM. Reason: added by the way

01-08-2009, 11:58 PM	#42 (permalink)
jack hagenaars jack hagenaars's Photo Gallery Location: Victoria,British Columbia Find me on the map! Zone: 8 a/b Name: Jack Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 236 BananaBucks : 63,059 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 137 Times in 83 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: Spider Mites Best Luck I've had JC is with alcohol (70%) and or plain soapy water with a few drops of oil to increase surface area tension.

01-09-2009, 02:53 AM	#44 (permalink)
Lagniappe Lagniappe's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,111 BananaBucks : 319,651 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,378 Times Was Thanked 1,402 Times in 558 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 535 Times	Re: Spider Mites I tell you guys, these mites have me worked up pretty good this year. My recent outbreak was explosive and took me by surprise. I've applied the DE, and fogged with an organic pyrethrin but these devils are making a comeback. After researching chitinase producing organisms in compost tea and finding out that they can be applied as a foliar spray, I've decided to give it a go. I usually only treat my outdoor bedded plants with this but now I understand the biology of container plants can be as rich as those [plants] in the ground. There are claims of tea applications promoting the production of chitinase by plants too. It would be great to have my plants repel the insects on their own and I have a mealy bug infestation on my pony tail palms that could serve,alongside the mite infestation, as a control group. I'll apply the tea to half of my mite infestation and one of my pony tails and keep you guys up to date on the progress. Fingers crossed now!

01-09-2009, 09:27 AM	#45 (permalink)
JCDerrick KeoniKale JCDerrick's Photo Gallery Location: Lexington, SC Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: John Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 324 BananaBucks : 102,730 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 68 Times Was Thanked 126 Times in 73 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 15 Times	Re: Spider Mites Good luck Pete. I'll especially be interested in your results on the mealy bugs. Spider mites annoy the heck out of me, but normally I can fight them off. The mealy bugs keep getting on my pothos plants and are the devil to get rid of again - too many hiding places. __________________ *Malama 'Aina* Normal Jan. Low: 34°F, Normal Jul High: 92°F Coldest: 16-20°F, Warmest: 98-103°F Annual Precip: 48 inches

01-09-2009, 06:17 PM	#46 (permalink)
jack hagenaars jack hagenaars's Photo Gallery Location: Victoria,British Columbia Find me on the map! Zone: 8 a/b Name: Jack Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 236 BananaBucks : 63,059 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 137 Times in 83 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: Spider Mites Well,my experience is that the alcohol works on the mealy bug too...the smell is not too bad...it disapates into the air quickly......good luck!

01-09-2009, 11:35 PM	#48 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 432,052 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: Spider Mites JC, any rubbing alcohol will do. You can get it at Walgreens or even your grocery store. It doesn't leave a bad odor...if anything it smells clean. __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

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