Ladyv
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@Blue Dog Did you have any luck with the predatory mites?
i have never had root aphids . the clones can be a little slow going .@bigdaddyg8 -- have you found that the clones had lost a lot of their usual vigor? I had that issue with root aphids, lost a whole stable because of it. They couldn't fight off a *I can't believe that even something like Merit or something hasn't been found to eradicate bulb mites, so you can color me shocked, too.
Well, I've spent about 5 hours reading up on this and the more I read, the more depressed I get. I've been getting crap harvests for the last 6 months and could not figure out why. A friend of mine recently came over and identified my problem as bulb mites. This friend has been battling them unsuccessfully for the last 3 years. I immediately went out and spend $250 on some Botaniguard, but now I'm reading that others haven't had much success with it. Another friend of mine is recommending SNS 209, so I suppose I'll give that a try as well. The common theme I seem to be noticing is that almost everyone that has contracted these little critters had a fungus gnat problem at about the same time. This is also true of my situation. I'm sure I can easily eradicate the gnats, but I am becoming extremely worried that I won't be able to get rid of these mites. In the great wide world of Google, I am shocked, SHOCKED, that I have not found one single success story. How can there not be a single product out there that just kicks the hell out of these things? Anyone that has had any success with any method, please let me know! I am feeling so anxious about this that I can't even sleep! I don't want to have to move and purchase all new equipment, but if I have to, I will. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Yes it is.IIRC the 203 is the one with clove oil, yes?
The guy at my local hydro store recommended nematodes for control of RA and fungus gnats in soil. His supplier told him nematodes would keep for 3 months in the fridge. I spoke with a supplier who advised me to order and use within the week. I suspect people who buy nematodes that have been sitting around too long will not have any success. The nematodes were ineffective but that's because they were dead to begin with.
Before you chop and start over, order some hetero and steiner type nematodes. One type lies in wait for whatevr comes in contact with it, the other type of nematode is a search and destroy. Bugs don't develop immunity to bugs that eat them.
Also, order neem seed meal/cake online and top dress with it or make a tea. The plants love neem meal and bugs hate it. It seems much more effective than neem oil (and without the oil). Neem meal stinks and is hard for me to be around for long. The smell dies down after a week or two. Neem meal should not harm your beneficials or predatory nematodes.
I know you are dealing with a different type of bug than I was but I think it might be worth a try before chopping and starting over.
Hi AP, thanks, labs are the absolute best in my book. I used to listen to the Atomic Punks many years ago :)
As far as neem meal; I ordered on line from Dave at Evergreen Farms in Oregon. Nice guy and he ships on time. I have top dressed with the neem meal and no flyers or other pests. The stuff really smells strong but I have grown to like it.
I think it's wise to avoid using chemicals in general and especially pesticides. I don't trust the manufacture to have my best interests over theirs. They also have nematodes that are suspended in an inert substance and they do keep longer in the fridge. Seamaiden is a moderator on this site who really has the organic thing down. I follow a lot of her advice. Happy MLK day!
You need to use the chunky type, Coarse Diatomite, the powder will just sludge up and not cut the exoskeleton. Really only good to put on the floor in front of a door (like borax stuff for roaches i forget the name) so bugs won't cross over.I find DE ineffective. It supposedly works while dry, but that's never the case in moist soil.
You need to use the chunky type, Coarse Diatomite, the powder will just sludge up and not cut the exoskeleton. Really only good to put on the floor in front of a door (like borax stuff for roaches i forget the name) so bugs won't cross over.
Or for silica supplement.
Have several hundred pounds of the stuff upstairs. Debating on topping all my plants with it today.
I was saving it for a top feed or ebb and flow.
Originally got it to use with foggers last year but clogs the emitters.