Homemade Recipe for Spider Mites? - Page 2

ginger2778 · May 12, 2016

Does DE work on Tomato Russet Mites? Is it dusted on, or sprayed on? What do you apply it with for dusting if that is how to do it?

MrBig46 · May 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by heirloomtomaguy

The best thing i have found is Diatomaceous Earth. Last year i lost the whole garden to spider mites this year not one to be seen. The stuff just works and it comes in food grade.

Vladimír

MrBig46 · May 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBig46

How DE used? Stirred with water and the plants are sprayed with them?
Vladimír

creister · May 12, 2016

There is a good thread about using DE in this Forum.

Mike723 · May 12, 2016

I have had excellent success with biological and natural "pesticides." In terms of biological, this predatory mite blend has worked wonderfully for me the past two years (the key is catching them early, or doubling the dose for later infections).. http://www.amazon.com/000-Live-Adult.../dp/B00I0ZXU18
The second effective tool in my arsenal is this spray:
600ml h20
1/8th teaspoon cinnamon
1/8th teaspoon dried rosemary
1/8th teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon sesame oil (fyi - sesame oil on its own is toxic to the little buggers)
heat to a boil - let simmer for about 30 seconds. Let cool, strain and spray away

Good luck!

Mike723 · May 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginger2778

Does DE work on Tomato Russet Mites? Is it dusted on, or sprayed on? What do you apply it with for dusting if that is how to do it?

You'll want to add one tablespoon of DE to 32 oz of water.. Give it a shake and you're good to go... A little dish soap will go a long way if you have issues getting it to stick..

Cole_Robbie · May 12, 2016

I just had a customer come to my greenhouse and correctly point out that all of my pepper plants have aphids. I need to take them to market the day after tomorrow. Met52 doesn't have enough time to work between now and then. I will probably just blast them with soapy water and follow that up with straight water to wash off the soap shortly afterward.

He spotted the aphids because I had ants. He pointed out the ants were guarding the aphid eggs from other predators. Wherever there was a patch of eggs, there were three or four ants just hanging out. My few remaining sunflower plants also have a few leaf borers.

I also have a lot of tiny praying mantises that are probably eating the aphids. I am going to inspect each plant and remove them before I use the soap spray, or the Met52 I will probably spray after market on Saturday.

May 12, 2016	#16
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	Does DE work on Tomato Russet Mites? Is it dusted on, or sprayed on? What do you apply it with for dusting if that is how to do it?

May 12, 2016	#19
creister Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Abilene, TX zone 7 Posts: 1,478	There is a good thread about using DE in this Forum.

May 12, 2016	#20
Mike723 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: CT Posts: 290	I have had excellent success with biological and natural "pesticides." In terms of biological, this predatory mite blend has worked wonderfully for me the past two years (the key is catching them early, or doubling the dose for later infections).. http://www.amazon.com/000-Live-Adult.../dp/B00I0ZXU18 The second effective tool in my arsenal is this spray: 600ml h20 1/8th teaspoon cinnamon 1/8th teaspoon dried rosemary 1/8th teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon sesame oil (fyi - sesame oil on its own is toxic to the little buggers) heat to a boil - let simmer for about 30 seconds. Let cool, strain and spray away Good luck!

May 12, 2016	#22
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I just had a customer come to my greenhouse and correctly point out that all of my pepper plants have aphids. I need to take them to market the day after tomorrow. Met52 doesn't have enough time to work between now and then. I will probably just blast them with soapy water and follow that up with straight water to wash off the soap shortly afterward. He spotted the aphids because I had ants. He pointed out the ants were guarding the aphid eggs from other predators. Wherever there was a patch of eggs, there were three or four ants just hanging out. My few remaining sunflower plants also have a few leaf borers. I also have a lot of tiny praying mantises that are probably eating the aphids. I am going to inspect each plant and remove them before I use the soap spray, or the Met52 I will probably spray after market on Saturday.