Spider mites!? Help

[sam1147]

Originally Posted by Dimples

Soap will treat spider mites but only the ones it comes in contact with. That’s why it’s called a contact insecticide, and also why repeat treatments are needed to catch the ones that evaded the prior treatments. Same is true of oils and many other products that treat mites.

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Soap might be a contact insecticide ( don't think so ) but surly not an acaricide. .Use whatever stuff you wish just be sure you dealt with the eggs too.

[tmoney]

phew, bugs be gettin lots of attention! so for sure, if you want to absolutely eradicate something, just nuke em off the face of the planet ok, a little dramatization there, but you get my point. for commercial outfits, soap ain’t the way that is for sure. but for a home grower who is trying to keep an outbreak at bay, i don’t care what anyone says soap spray has done me good for 25 years. and it got rid of the biggest red mite infestation i personally have seen in my house.

also, getting rid of infested media and really washing pots and root surfaces goes a long way in treating a large infection, imo. so, i thing that is the best time to do it.

anyone who wants to use insecticides is more than obliged to do so, but hey, my experience hasn’t shown me i need anything other than soap and diligence

[sam1147]

Originally Posted by tmoney

phew, bugs be gettin lots of attention! so for sure, if you want to absolutely eradicate something, just nuke em off the face of the planet ok, a little dramatization there, but you get my point. for commercial outfits, soap ain’t the way that is for sure. but for a home grower who is trying to keep an outbreak at bay, i don’t care what anyone says soap spray has done me good for 25 years. and it got rid of the biggest red mite infestation i personally have seen in my house.

also, getting rid of infested media and really washing pots and root surfaces goes a long way in treating a large infection, imo. so, i thing that is the best time to do it.
anyone who wants to use insecticides is more than obliged to do so, but hey, my experience hasn’t shown me i need anything other than soap and diligence

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Very well done. Good for you.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

I don't want to stir the pot here (as he whips out the big spoon) BUT, and correct me if I'm wrong, it seems to me soap acts as a wetting agent breaking the surface tension in the water, allowing it to coat the target (be it bugs or whatever) and suffocate it. While soap is effective against viruses and bacteria due to its high pH, I don't believe it is this property which makes it an effective insect deterrent.
Your turn!

[Dimples]

Soap is effective against bacteria and viruses because it’s a molecule that has properties of both polar and non-polar molecules, and that makes it a good emulsifier. With good coverage and agitation, one side of the soap molecule is attracted to the germs, the other side is attracted to the water, and the germs are pulled along for the ride (and off surfaces/hands/etc.) during the rinse. It can disrupt the membranes/coatings on some microbes, but swift removal via water is really the reason it’s so effective. It’s also the reason you’ll see “rinse with water” or similar instructions on many cleaning products. It’s the rinsing that actually removes the germs.

Soap sprays for soft bodied pests are assumed to work primarily by removing their external protective layer, resulting in eventual desiccation. Some may drown from the lower surface tension (it’s still not entirely clear), but either way, soap is an effective pest management product for some pest species.

Soap sprays designed for use on plants are safest. Dish soap, hand soap, and other soaps not designed for plants can be harsh and cause undesirable effects to the plants, but a 1-2% max strength solution used occasionally should be fine.

[rbarata]

soap acts as a wetting agent breaking the surface tension in the water, allowing it to coat the target (be it bugs or whatever) and suffocate it.

Mites "treated" with water and soap die by drowning. If you add alcohol to the mix they also die, some by excess blood alcohol, others from the hangover.

[tmoney]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Mites "treated" with water and soap die by drowning. If you add alcohol to the mix they also die, some by excess blood alcohol, others from the hangover.

now we're cooking! i mite be willing to tinker with our formula for the sake of science

[estación seca]

Alcohol doesn't kill mites unless 70% or higher. Don't waste it.