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Post by LAKJP on Apr 13, 2014 19:28:04 GMT -5
So... today as I was looking at my lovely little traps, I noticed some fine webbing on the medium of one of the pots and some little red dots (less than 1mm) that I think are red spider mites. I was shocked when I saw this as it never happened to me before. What do you suggest as the best solution to get rid of them? Thank you everyone! Fine Web Damage Red Spider Mites?
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Post by Raymond on Apr 14, 2014 6:05:24 GMT -5
I don't know if this would work for your plants but When I see them in my bog I just flood them out. Works
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Post by LAKJP on Apr 14, 2014 6:10:45 GMT -5
The problem is that my plants are in pots, so I can't really flush those hateful mites out without knowing how effective that is and if doing that will eradicate them all for good. Thanks for replying
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Post by Dennis A(cook1973) on Apr 14, 2014 8:19:34 GMT -5
Put a hungry Ping next to the pot lol !!
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Post by canuk1w1 on Apr 14, 2014 14:06:27 GMT -5
You can try insecticidal soap, this is one recommended treatment for orchids with mites. Neem oil may also work but check to see if it is toxic to CPs - I use it on my orchids and tropicals but have not yet had need to try it on my CPs. Karanj is similar to Neem. A Neem oil drench is essentially 4L of insecticidal soap to which 5mL to 10mL of Neem oil is added. I've come across mention of "miticides" but I'd be concerned about using them on CPs. Hope this helps.
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Post by Dennis A(cook1973) on Apr 14, 2014 14:18:22 GMT -5
Would a cap of hydrogen peroxide mixed on a bottle of RO water do anything? I heard if your stuck its does prove to be a effective fungicide
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Post by canuk1w1 on Apr 14, 2014 16:03:05 GMT -5
The problem is that my plants are in pots, so I can't really flush those hateful mites out without knowing how effective that is and if doing that will eradicate them all for good. Thanks for replying Unless toxic to VFTs, mist them with insecticidal soap as this is the recommended treatment for orchids with mite issues (I have some but localized to one room). The course of treatment was weekly mistings for a month. I think I got that from Firstrays or Gardenweb, if you cannot find it PM me and I'll dig up the link for you. You'd need to research if H2O2 is effective on mites. They are very different biologically from fungi.
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Post by Dennis A(cook1973) on Apr 14, 2014 16:14:27 GMT -5
You'd need to research if H2O2 is effective on mites. They are very different biologically from fungi. Ask Lloyd or Maiden,they got the experience and might have used it or maybe the know and can help better than us
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Post by alex on Apr 14, 2014 16:42:39 GMT -5
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Post by lloyd on Apr 14, 2014 16:46:45 GMT -5
Do not use insecticidal soaps. They will kill VFT's. Search the forum for "Al Bickel's Neem Recipe" It's around somewhere. For red spider mites use only the normal strength Neem version of the recipe not the double strength used for scale/mealy bugs. The Neem oil recipe is fairly toxic to VFT's so I don't particularly recommend it. Spider mites like dry conditions so drowning for a week or so may work. Also Eucalyptus Oil: a few drops per liter with a few drops of dish soap (as in the above recipe but without the Neem) might suffice. Al Bickell has stated that spider mites hate Eucalyptus oil.
The pictures certainly could be spider mite (can't tell for certain). You should be able to see the little guys wandering around if you have good vision.
If you just leave the VFT's outside in the rain and cool weather, spider mites will probably die off before doing any more damage. VFT's actually like cool temperatures. Just take them in if it's going to go below -3C or they might suffer at this time of year.
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Post by canuk1w1 on Apr 14, 2014 17:44:00 GMT -5
Gonna mix me some of this tonight, thanks!
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Post by LAKJP on Apr 14, 2014 19:14:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the help, I'll go search for them as soon as possible!
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Post by dvg on Apr 25, 2014 14:27:13 GMT -5
Just saw this thread and I would just submerge the vft pots into a bucket of pure water for a day or two, using either RO, distilled or even collected rain water.
The VFTs can handle being submerged for that length of time, but the mites won't do nearly as well.
In fact, a weekly drenching, will keep any residual late comers under control.
dvg
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Post by ilikewhatido on Apr 26, 2014 11:56:53 GMT -5
Spider mites are the worst. I think it's a good practice to quarantine new plants for at least a month before adding them to your main collection. I have received plants with mites on them from both Keehn's and HB in the past. Plastic bag method + Neem oil did the trick for me.
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Post by ng on Jul 18, 2014 23:39:05 GMT -5
I've just dealt with a break out of them on my VFT's. They are the plague of any garden center. Many strains have built up resistance to industrial pesticides. Even though you look like the problem is solved, POOF they never left. Spider mites are the worst because they can be so easily confused with sunburn/natural aging of plants/poor overall growth. I've tried all that stuff in the past, beneficial predatory mites and the rest. Just try to be diligent and break the cycle of the adult/egg stage by re applying whatever treatment you choose every 5 days or so. They breath through their carapace so drowning them is a very very effective method. Nothing enters the tent without inspection and quarantine, really solid rule. I've got access to AVID though so hello birth defects, goodbyeee spider mites
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