Spider mites again. Anyone using predators?

[EtchedFicus]

Well it’s not like one application of neem oil gets rid of spidermites for the season either. Predator insects aren’t 100% but they will keep insects at bay as long as there’s a food source.

Agreed. I went through an entire bottle doing the recommended every 5 days. I'm really limited on space and trying to get under all the leaves I think was the problem. I'd see a lot of dead adults, but then still have new babies showing up. I don't think I was able to get to the eggs. The predatory mites weren't that expensive, it was the overnight shipping that added the bulk of the cost. Fingers crossed they work long enough to get them outside. I'm hoping I have natural predators at that point. I do have ladybugs and lacewings in my area.

 

[sykofan]

I've won some battles with sulfur and latest with insecticidal soap but the war wages on. Need to get some predatory insects. Calling for a multi-coalition force now. I've noticed leaf tip changes I'm assuming are due to mites. Is this typical? It's either mites feeding and interrupting sap/water flow, or underwatering or maybe overfeeding(I use 1/4- 1/2 strength jacks 20-20-20 with every watering)? . Only seen on young leaves. Temps are constant 77-80 and humidity 60-75%. I don't think it a light/heat issue. None are too close to the light to get damaged. The leaf speckling, webbing and little white mites are tell tale sign of these beasts feasting on my trees.

 

[Jigfig]

Almost free horticultural soap recipe. Saved an olive tree of mine from certain death from scale..... Works great on mites.


Combine 100ml light, food safe oil (vegetable, mineral etc) with 20ml of gentle soap (Castile or clear liquid hand soap)
-
Add 20ml of the above solution to 1 liter of water in a spray bottle or garden sprayer.... This is not a poison. It basically suffocates them. The oil does the heavy lifting and the soap acts as an emulsifier and reduces the surface tension allowing it to flow where it's needed. (into the pests)

Great to know. I’m cheap and always have those two things on hand so will help if I ever run into an issues.

 

[pjmac]

I swear by fung3 by garden safe if you need a organic spray. In general its worked for me every single time on different kinds of mites. I bring in cuttings from all over the place and get mites multiple times a year it always works for me.
I will release some ladybugs in the greenhouse here in a few weeks but the fung3 works wonders for me