Red spider mites?

 

I've got 'em.  How do I get rid of them without hurting any
plants?  I've read about introducing other predator mites
but it said that could take 5 years or so to "get them in
balance". I don't want balance, I want those little suckers
gone. They're all over the house siding, sidewalks, etc.

--
Steve

 

Steve Calvin wrote:

Most insecticides are not very effective against mites.  You might try
horticultural oil, if the weather is not too hot where you are.  The
bottle probably says "dormant oil spray", and it should have directions
for mixing it half-strength for spraying mites, white flies, etc.  I
just used it last week to get rid of red mites on Wife's miniature
roses.  (this reminds me, I need to spray them again today)  If the
temperature is above 85°F, I believe you can still use the stuff if you
spray in the evenings.

Blasting the plants with a hard spray of water also kind of works.  I
would try to kill as many as possible first with the oil.

Bob

 

Steve Calvin said:

Red mites swarming all over the side of the house, etc. sounds
more like clover mites than spider mites.  (Red spider mites are so
small as to be almost invisible, and hardly appear red to the naked
eye.)

Clover mites normally feed on lawn grasses and clover.

"Mites seen on the outside of buildings can be killed with a direct
spray of an insecticidal soap or regular liquid dish-washing soap at the
rate of 2 tablespoons per gallon of water. This treatment will not provide
any residual control."

http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef627.asp

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2095.html
--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)
  
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)

 

Pat Kiewicz wrote:

Interesting, maybe I don't have red spider mites then. ;-)

Would the DW soap hurt flowers such as roses?

I did hit 'em with the stuff I posted about and as soon as I
sprayed 'em they died, immediately but again, no residual
control.

--
Steve

 

Steve Calvin said:

provide

It's possible (especially on a hot day).  You could always come
back around a short time later and rinse it off.

The commercial insecticidal soaps are tested to maximize insect kill
and minimize phytotoxicity.  

Too much residual effect is what makes some pesticides a
bad environmental option...
--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)
  
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)