Mystery Problem with Bellina 'Ponkan'. Need Help.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by realoldbeachbum

Dusty - Is malathion OK for basement grow room with outside entrance only? No house entrance, but could it come through the AC duct work?

---------- Post added at 05:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:46 PM ----------

Thanks, Roberta. I will check out Bifentrhrin. Is it safe for basement grow room -- like, is it harmful if it gets into the AC duct work, entering our living space?

When I use it, I take the plant outside for treatment. Once treated I bring it back inside. I don't spray it inside because it stinks. I'm not concerned with the very low toxicity to humans and pets. I use it surgically.

[realoldbeachbum]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Both Bifenthrin and Malathion are rated for spider mites. For either one, apply surgically... just on the plants. You're treating a small area, so exposure is minimized even if some gets out into living areas. Toxicity is fairly low for either. In the case of Malathion, you'd want to minimize the quantity in the air anyway... the stuff stinks to high heaven. Bifenthrin not so bad.

Roberta - I received 7.9% Bifenthrin today for my current False Spider Mite (Flat mite) infestation. From reading instructions on the bottle, I cannot ascertain how much to use per gallon of water. Any idea? Also, should I drench the soil and/or spray foliage? (The infestation is on Bellinas & Paphs only.) Thanks so much for your recommendations! ROBB

[Roberta]

Labels tend to be dense with all the cautions first. Some dilution instructions are in there someplace. Not where I can look at mine, will see what I can figure out in a couple of days if you haven't found it by then

[Ray]

A Google search of "7.9% bifenthrin concentrate mixing instructions" returned 0.5-1.0 oz/gal (1-2 tablespoons)

[Bayard]

Here is a good article:

False Spider Mites | NC State Extension Publications

Remember to spray everything 3 times!

You can get small quantities of Forbid on eBay.

[realoldbeachbum]

Excellent article. Thanks Bayard!! I am relieved to FINALLY identify these little rascals. Still not sure whether to drench the soil, spray foliage, or both. Any idea?

---------- Post added at 02:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 PM ----------

I saw that, Ray, but was unsure if that dilution would be safe for orchids. Unless I hear otherwise from Roberta - I will probably use the weaker dilution (1T per gal). Would you use it as a drench or on foliage, or both? Thanks so much, ROBB

[Bayard]

Spray the foliage.

[Roberta]

Home from the San Francisco orchid show... I use 0.5 oz per gallon (which is what's listed for "ornamentals and lawns) for mites. The instructions are 0.25-0.5 oz per gallon The higher concentrations are recommended for some other pests (like fire ants, termites), You have to dig deep into the little booklet on the bottle to find the detailed recommendations by pest type. I don't think you'll have any phytotoxicity problems at the 0.5 oz/gal level.

I agree with Bayard - spray the foliage. This isn't a systemic. So the 3-times advice is also important, since you need to nail the successive generations. This is a pest that you can control, but being so tiny, you can't eliminate them or exclude them forever, they are in the environment. So just stay vigilant. Humidity and good air circulation are very useful for keeping populations down.