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Having an issue with spider mites

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Having an issue with spider mites

AMurKyX 19 Replies 2,038 Views
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AMurKyX

AMurKyX

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#1
Hey guys. I have a total of 8 plants (3 autos, two of which are lst’d, 2 small seedlings waiting for a re-pot, 3 clones that are growing well with a few very minor issues.) i am beginning to see spider mites on 3 leaves. Ive cut those specific leaves off and tossed them but i know thats not going to solve it (even in the short term) what can i do to rescue these plants. Im toying with the idea of predatory mites, and have been recommended dunking them in neem oil and then following up with occasional sprays and regularly scheduled (2 times a week) deep tent cleanings. Any other recommendations or opinions on mentioned methods. The mites have only been seen affecting the autos on two of them so far but id like to get ahead of the curve and solve it quickly without hirting the plants or possibly stressing the autos sending them into an early flower.

Pic is from a previous post so disregard the labels. The autos being affected is the first one (farthest left) and the third one (farthest right). Ik that means theyve probably established themselves everywhere between since theyre spaced out. Any help welcome. Willing to give them all a try in order from most gentle gradually moving toward more stressful methods.

Check out my other posts as well if you have experience. Still a new grower so any advice help or suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks you all
 

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#3
This brings me to a question I’ve had: is diatomaceous earth not good for weed plants? Seems like it would naturally solve a lot of pest problems like spider mites, but I never see it recommended.
 
#4
You're in veg when you got hit which is good. Well it's never good but it's better because you can be more aggressive with your treatment. Get a nozzle for your hose that will generate a mist strong enough to blast bugs off the leaves but not so strong it damages plant tissue. Take your pots outside and while tilting them at an angle so the water doesn't fall on the soil, give the plant a thorough blasting. Dust the soil with a little DE and right after lights out, give them a good misting of Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew. After about a week to 10 days you can introduce some predatory mites, or just keep reapplying the Captain Jack at intervals per instructions. The only thing this treatment doesn't work good for is scaly bugs. They cling to the leaves like barnacles so some manual removal by wiping the leaf surface with your finger is necessary along with the water blast.
 
#5
Ninjadogma said:
You're in veg when you got hit which is good. Well it's never good but it's better because you can be more aggressive with your treatment. Get a nozzle for your hose that will generate a mist strong enough to blast bugs off the leaves but not so strong it damages plant tissue. Take your pots outside and while tilting them at an angle so the water doesn't fall on the soil, give the plant a thorough blasting. Dust the soil with a little DE and right after lights out, give them a good misting of Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew. After about a week to 10 days you can introduce some predatory mites, or just keep reapplying the Captain Jack at intervals per instructions. The only thing this treatment doesn't work good for is scaly bugs. They cling to the leaves like barnacles so some manual removal by wiping the leaf surface with your finger is necessary along with the water blast.
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Thank you very much. That seems like a pretty good option for where im at. I will have the plants taken outside one at a time to clean then clean the tent once the plants are out. Do you think this would be enough stress to trigger the autos into early flower or should i be pretty dece
 
#6
Weedly said:
This brings me to a question I’ve had: is diatomaceous earth not good for weed plants? Seems like it would naturally solve a lot of pest problems like spider mites, but I never see it recommended.
Click to expand...

It has its use in controlling pests in the soil but you don't want to be dusting your plant with it. It'll help stop mites from crawling into the pot and up the stem but they can still land on top from just the air current, so it's not an effective stand alone treatment.

I think I've probably revealed my hand as an outdoor grower, lol.
 
#8
AMurKyX said:
Thank you very much. That seems like a pretty good option for where im at. I will have the plants taken outside one at a time to clean then clean the tent once the plants are out. Do you think this would be enough stress to trigger the autos into early flower or should i be pretty dece
Click to expand...

Just one more thing. Have you ever had lice visit your household? You want to be similarly methodical treating your tent. Take everything out. Disinfect the tent, and spray and treat everything before you put it back in.
 
#9
Ninjadogma said:
Just one more thing. Have you ever had lice visit your household? You want to be similarly methodical treating your tent. Take everything out. Disinfect the tent, and spray and treat everything before you put it back in.
Click to expand...
No. I dont believe lice has ever been in the home. And absolutely. Ive been running into a few problems so ive been contemplating converting them all to a full outdoor grow
 
#10
Just keep in mind that as far as I know, DE is ineffective when it’s wet!
 
#11
i've just dealt with them pricks. what i used was pyrethrins in an automatic sprayer, gave a shot every 15 minutes. i also used insecticidal soap to clean EVERYTHING several times.
i let the sprayer run for 10 days or so and so far it's good.
 
#12
Ninjadogma said:
You're in veg when you got hit which is good. Well it's never good but it's better because you can be more aggressive with your treatment. Get a nozzle for your hose that will generate a mist strong enough to blast bugs off the leaves but not so strong it damages plant tissue. Take your pots outside and while tilting them at an angle so the water doesn't fall on the soil, give the plant a thorough blasting. Dust the soil with a little DE and right after lights out, give them a good misting of Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew. After about a week to 10 days you can introduce some predatory mites, or just keep reapplying the Captain Jack at intervals per instructions. The only thing this treatment doesn't work good for is scaly bugs. They cling to the leaves like barnacles so some manual removal by wiping the leaf surface with your finger is necessary along with the water blast.
Click to expand...
What is DE?
 
#18
ajpapenfuss said:
I've heard you can introduce ladybug 🐞 their supposed to eat them
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There's a certain brand in many garden departments that's bundling up a container of ladybugs along with lacewing eggs. They are now referring to lacewings as "aphid lions." Wasn't a fan of the price though, I remember getting a thing of ladybugs for about $4 at the garden dept. checkout and that pack cost me $16. Plus half the ladybugs were DOA. Next time I'll wait for a fresh delivery.
 
#19
Ninjadogma said:
Given that it's destructive mechanism is dehydration, that makes sense. Water is wet, lol. 🤣
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As far as I know, dehydration is the result of the destructive mechanism, which is abrasion! Maybe a decent analogy is the difference between dry sanding and wet sanding a paint job! Dry sanding removes a lot more material! Wet sanding, give you a mirror finish and removes very little material! But DE is an indiscriminate killer! So maybe best kept to indoor grows if possible! Actually sounds like a little bit of both! Abrasion and desiccation. I am with you! If you’re outdoors, try blasting them with water first!
 
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#20
Oldchucky said:
As far as I know, dehydration is the result of the destructive mechanism, which is abrasion! Maybe a decent analogy is the difference between dry sanding and wet sanding a paint job! Dry sanding removes a lot more material! Wet sanding, give you a mirror finish and removes very little material! But DE is an indiscriminate killer! So maybe best kept to indoor grows if possible! Actually sounds like a little bit of both! Abrasion and desiccation. I am with you! If you’re outdoors, try blasting them with water first!
Click to expand...

What I really want is an army of nanobots the size of mites with a vengeance for pulverizing bugs, but I've seen Stargate SG-1 and Big Hero 6 and I know that doesn't ever end well. 🤣
 
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