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Got spider mites. What I've done and what to do next.

  • Thread starter Thread starter LoveGrowingIt
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Got spider mites. What I've done and what to do next.

LoveGrowingIt 107 Replies 26,428 Views
Page 2 of 6 · Replies 21–40 of 108
#22
You're on the right course with spraying alcohol...I used 92% I only used a tiny amount of water...the alcohol evaporates but it kill the mites and eggs...used every other day for a week...plants will recover...so I used Dr. Zymes...as well...it is used as a after harvest wash too so it can be used right up to the day you harvest ...safely...that should do it.
Let me say though...if it is in flower and there are webs...just trash it...you cannot get rid of that.
 
#23
GanjaJack said:
I find most spidermite problems can be prevented by providing an environment that the spidermites don't like.

They don't like it overly dry, they love higher temperatures, and they hate wind.

So, try to lower or raise the humidity to near 50-55%.

Get temps down to about 65-70..

and put a REALLY strong fan on them, let the leaves flap around a bit, after a while(a couple days) you'll notice that the mites don't like it.

If you're in full flower, good luck...

If you're in veg? I'd start completely over, remove the plants completely start over... Spray the entire tent down with a cleaner and a good miticide.

Let it sit for a couple weeks...

Then start a new grow using the above methods, if you put the strong fan on the seedlings, they can take it... The mites can't, plus it will make your plants stronger.


I guess this is where it can be said that leaf stripping can have it's benefits. You can remove the most infected leaves, if you're like 6 weeks into flower your buds should be pretty big.

Take out the biggest leaves and most infected. Put the fan on 'em like I said as strong as the plants can take, it should cut down on the mites pretty good.

AFTER harvest, You can look around here on the forums for the ingredients to give your buds a "bath" and wash out any of the mites..... I think it's like a cap full of hydrogen peroxide to a 5 gallon bucket or something?
Click to expand...
Sounds good.
 
#24
GanjaJack said:
I find most spidermite problems can be prevented by providing an environment that the spidermites don't like.

They don't like it overly dry, they love higher temperatures, and they hate wind.

So, try to lower or raise the humidity to near 50-55%.

Get temps down to about 65-70..

and put a REALLY strong fan on them, let the leaves flap around a bit, after a while(a couple days) you'll notice that the mites don't like it.

If you're in full flower, good luck...

If you're in veg? I'd start completely over, remove the plants completely start over... Spray the entire tent down with a cleaner and a good miticide.

Let it sit for a couple weeks...

Then start a new grow using the above methods, if you put the strong fan on the seedlings, they can take it... The mites can't, plus it will make your plants stronger.


I guess this is where it can be said that leaf stripping can have it's benefits. You can remove the most infected leaves, if you're like 6 weeks into flower your buds should be pretty big.

Take out the biggest leaves and most infected. Put the fan on 'em like I said as strong as the plants can take, it should cut down on the mites pretty good.

AFTER harvest, You can look around here on the forums for the ingredients to give your buds a "bath" and wash out any of the mites..... I think it's like a cap full of hydrogen peroxide to a 5 gallon bucket or something?
Click to expand...
Thanks! That's close to what I know to do about them. Alcohol with a good sprayer seems to be an excellent way to fight them. We don't like to use complex chemicals, so that's part of the appeal of alcohol for us.
 
#26
JeffWix67 said:
You're on the right course with spraying alcohol...I used 92% I only used a tiny amount of water...the alcohol evaporates but it kill the mites and eggs...used every other day for a week...plants will recover...so I used Dr. Zymes...as well...it is used as a after harvest wash too so it can be used right up to the day you harvest ...safely...that should do it.
Let me say though...if it is in flower and there are webs...just trash it...you cannot get rid of that.
Click to expand...
Yep! I've looked at many alternatives and I like alcohol + water most. The hard part is killing the eggs without affecting the buds.

I don't think the mites made it to the buds. The infestation was low on the plant. When I saw it, I didn't waste any time removing the leaves with visible damage. Then I sprayed. I'll keep spraying for... IDK... a week or so.
 
#27
I appreciate all the replies.

This is the third day. I didn't see any new leaf damage. So, I think I caught the spider mites in time to save the harvest. This is week 5 of 12/12.

I know what to look for with spider mites, so I was able to act quickly. I located where they started and defoliated out in every direction from there. Then I sprayed the bottoms of all the leaves with a mixture of alcohol and water.

Unfortunately, the plant that was hit the hardest isn't looking well today. It's turning pale. I don't think it's a nutrient problem because I fed it 8 days ago. I may lose it. Removing so much of the plant may have stressed it too much. I don't like losing a plant, but it's better than fighting spider mites forever. I'm going to give it some water and nutrients to see if that helps.

The other plant seems okay.
 
#29
LoveGrowingIt said:
I appreciate all the replies.

This is the third day. I didn't see any new leaf damage. So, I think I caught the spider mites in time to save the harvest. This is week 5 of 12/12.

I know what to look for with spider mites, so I was able to act quickly. I located where they started and defoliated out in every direction from there. Then I sprayed the bottoms of all the leaves with a mixture of alcohol and water.

Unfortunately, the plant that was hit the hardest isn't looking well today. It's turning pale. I don't think it's a nutrient problem because I fed it 8 days ago. I may lose it. Removing so much of the plant may have stressed it too much. I don't like losing a plant, but it's better than fighting spider mites forever. I'm going to give it some water and nutrients to see if that helps.

The other plant seems okay.
Click to expand...
sounds good man.. hope she makes it.
 
#31
Don’t use any poison period. Use predator mites. If you use poison it will also kill the predators. Otherwise they will stay around as long as there are bugs for them to eat.
 
#32
Natep said:
Don’t use any poison period. Use predator mites. If you use poison it will also kill the predators. Otherwise they will stay around as long as there are bugs for them to eat.
Click to expand...
Do the predator mites eat all pests?
 
#34
Not tested on mites, but this vid by the millennial gardener has me rethinking my pest prays. The conclusion is basically that regular dish soaps works as well or better as an insecticide than actual insecticides. I’m not sure how it’ll go over on flower but… figured I’d spread the good word of cheap pest control
 
#36
socialgrow said:
Not tested on mites, but this vid by the millennial gardener has me rethinking my pest prays. The conclusion is basically that regular dish soaps works as well or better as an insecticide than actual insecticides. I’m not sure how it’ll go over on flower but… figured I’d spread the good word of cheap pest control
Click to expand...

I would use Dr Bonners soap instead of dish soap
 
#40
LoveGrowingIt said:
I spotted spider mites on one of my two plants in my 2x2 tent. I know they're spider mites because I've seen them before. They were on one plant, mostly just above the lollipop and on the side of the plant closest to the other plant. The plants are sativa. It's the 5th week of flowering.

This is what I did.

I cut out all the leaves that had signs of spider mite damage. Then I cut an additional 6 to 8 inches of plant around the area where I saw them. I made sure to create space between the two plants. I bagged the leaves and put them in the outside garbage.​
​
I sprayed everywhere with a 1:1 mix of water to 3% H2O2, including the underside of the leaves. I also sprayed the other tent that has a small vegging plant in it. Then I sprayed the floor and my shoes.​
​
I washed my clothes, and I took a shower. Then I sprayed the tent again.​
​
I increased the humidity setting for the tent from 51% to 55%.​

Now I'm thinking about what to do next. I'm worried that I might have hurt the small vegging plant because its top is bent over, but I sure don't want an infestation of spider mites. I understand they need to be treated aggressively.

Today, I'll probably keep spraying H2O2 every few hours. My wife doesn't want to use anything that might harm her cats or us humans. One of the cats loves to eat cannabis leaves. I can keep the cats out of the room, though, and the room has a window. I'm also worried about the buds.

I have some Neem, Spinosad and no-pest strips. I'd sure appreciate any other ideas.
Click to expand...
Cats can get crystsls from the oxalates in the leaves....watchout...you dont need a 3k$ emergency vet bill
 
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