HELP...spider mites

Discussion in 'Sick Plants and Problems' started by sativa003, Aug 16, 2006.

  1. hey guys im new here and also new to indoor growing...i now am growing in a pretty big room, using a sodium 400w bulb...iv only had the plants for 3 days now...just moved them in....but they are already very nice and healthy looking...very big for 4 weeks....let me also let you know they are all clones...so now that i have moved them into my house from another grower...who gave them to me...i have noticed spider mites...most of the fans are really close together...almost looks like their stuck together..i think they said if u have spider mites your plant will seem sticky? well mine are...i have 15 plants...9 big ones...and 4 just starting to pick up from cloning...so my question is how do i get rid of these spider mites? I bought some Schultz houseplant and garden insect spray...indoor and outdoor use...and i also bought Bonide Insecticidal soap...multi purpose insect control...I have no clue of what one to use...i bought both of them because i couldnt decide on one or the other...so what can i do to get rid of these spider mites? and if i should use one of the sprays i bought...which one?
     
  2. iv noticed one darker rusty looking dot on one of the fans...and on all my other plants there are white dots that were there when i took them in...but it looks like they are starting to eat through the leaves....someone help...i think its spidermite..pretty sure...but maybe something else too?


    thanks
     
  3. Use the bonide insect soap. Spray the soil and leaves. Then check this out from Stitch's guide: Spider mites:

    Spider mites are by far the worst pest to have, because they are the hardest to kill and can literally kill any plant. They are by far more active in warmer climates than cold ones, they also suck sup from the leaves leaving tiny white spots on the leaves from where they suck on. The damage they do is just like thrips, but with spider mites they pierce the surface of the leaves and can show tiny holesor white speckling damage, unlike with thirps they eat the surface of the chlorophyll. You can tell when you have infestation of spider mites , because you will have distorted growth, shortened internodes and petioles.
    When you have bad infestation you will see webbing with larva in them. You get spider mites from either store bought soil mostly when your soil is not sterilized. Most brands do not state weather or not they are, chances are if you buy cheap soil, you have a less likely chance of the soil being sterile.Also, bringing outdoor plants indoors, or getting plants from someone else who was infected with spidermites.
    Spider mites live on the plant itself and are under the leaves most of the time and are usually are so tiny you can't see them with the naked eye. In order to get rid of spider mites one of the best ways to start to get rid of them is to use NO-Pest strips.NO-Pest strips work well and should always be used with other methods. Neem oil helps get rid of them as well. Also by raising the humidity in your grow room a lot will kill the spider mites off, by them absorbing to much humidity and will burst. You can use soap solution like Safer Insecticidal Soap to get rid of most aphid problems. Use some tobacco juice and chili pepper powder added to this for mites. (see below how to make tabacco juice)
    Pyrethrum should only be used in extreme circumstances directly on plants, It starts to breaks down around a week and is easily washed away with clear water or. If your plants are in flowering and you have spider mites, using safer chemicals is your best bet. The tobacco and pepper soap solution works well and should be used daily, spraying on the underside and top leaves and later the whole plant. Since spider mites are very residual to common products, you have to find or try any number of ones untill you get rid of them. make absolutly sure you retreat as stated, other wise you will get resistant spidermites and then you have a bigger battle on your hands.Also do not allow pets that go outside alot to be around indoor plants,mites have been known to be carried in from pets to plants. PLEASE NOTE, below are ways to get rid of spider mites, but no 2 mite infestations are identical, you almost always have to use different products to get rid of them, also make a habit to check for at least a whole month after thinking you got rid of them, that way your chances of the spider mites that became resistant breeding and then having a bigger problem. Make sure you spray your plant down very good and enough and on time.
    Here are some more products that may help get rid of spider mites:

    Chemicals
    Hot Pepper Wax,Safer Yard & Garden Insecticide (which can be used right to the day of harvest),GNATROL( used in hydro in the water as well as soil),Doc's Neem Pest Soap,Safer Sticky Stakes,TR-11000 Pyrethrum. Anything that says dicofol on the back. ( should be used in vegging or early flowering)

    Tabacco Juice recipe

    Take 3 strong ciggeretes soak them over night in water
    Boil it for 2 to 3 miniutes, let it cool off and spray the plants 3 to 4 times a week. You can add safer soap if you like to the mixture.
    (make absolutly sure you use gloves/face protection while handling and spraying)
    Neem oil works very well too!!
    ZBQ has an excellent thread on how to use neem oil without geting your plants to oily!!
     
  4. so should i leave the light on or turn it off when and while im spraying the plant? and how much should i spray....
     
  5. use the Tabacco Juice recipe...spray as much as needed then wipe the leaves spray again(the undersides in particular)

    again 3 days later for any egges missed

    LIGHTS ON or you wont see the damned mites
     
  6. is it safe to do the whole plant?
     
  7. yes do the whole thing I use a stronger solution than above 1 pak of smokes to a quart of water

    I use this solution to mist my plants weekly
     
  8. i hate tobacco...any taist's on the bud?
     
  9. If you spray with the lights on (or off for that matter) just make sure you don't hit the light bulb. Maybe move the plants away from the light when spraying. One false move and the bulb can pop, poisoning you and your plants.
     

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