Anyone try Ambush?

[TeresaE]

So I got the recommendation from Gordon Heaps (those of you in the Edmonton aread should know him well!), to use Ambush for my mites...I am having a horrible time getting rid of them and they are destroying lots of plants. I assumed it would be safe to use inside as that is where I have all my plants...do not have a greenhouse. Went to buy it and the lady did not recommend using it indoors. I am desperate to get rid of these b*st*rds so I bought it anyways. It's still sitting on my table though and I am still procrastinating. I did read up on Premetherin (sp?) and it sounds like it has good characteristics and bad ones...

I have no clue what to do....can I spray the plants outside and then take them in when they are dry? I was hoping to do this, this weekend before the snow flies. Any help or advice is much appreciated.

[TeresaE]

Well I guess that means nobody... I am ready to take it back to the store...getting too scared to use it. *sigh*

[Lagoon]

Hi Teresa

I have not even heard of this product until you're post. Sorry I have no advice to give you
Hopefully someone else here will see your post and offer something up to you

Bumping post!

[Junebug]

I've never heard of it either, but I'm allergic to pyrethirum (sp?)

[Jorch]

I haven't heard of it either! Although I'd be interested in knowing more or trying it... or at least keep one handy!

[Gin]

I did some googling too don't think I would use it indoors . Problem is the plants may require re treating as it is a contact spray, could haul them out use and bring in but they will need treating again would be a problem with cold weather . I treated my daughters Phals. for mites with Safers insect soap ,but another one is Neem or a dormant oil they will kill the mites but plants have to be shaded off using the oils or will cook them . Problem is the eggs, plants have to be treated several times I treated hers every 3 days on the 3rd day sprayed the leaves to wash them then re applied the spray ., the hatch cycle is short on mites about every 3 days . I did this for 3 weeks.. treat 3rd day wash and retreat for 3 weeks . They are a member of the spider family some of the sprays will not kill them .If you can not get any of the mentioned sprays a drop of dish soap and a little canola oil shake well before using and shade plants .. Several forum members use Listerine mouth wash the regular bad tasting kind but I dont know if it will get mites or how often it can be used the basic ingredient in it is alcohol ... hope this helps .. Gin

[TeresaE]

Thanks very much Gin...I am so frustrated I am ready to just give everything away. It's utterly depressing. I'm tired of spraying this n' that and everything but the little buggers just keep coming back. I'm gonna try the Ambush on a couple and see what happens and just go from there. I actually opened it up and it doesn't really have any kind of a scent. I'll report back one I try it out.

[Gin]

Keep at it don't let them win ! Spray everything ! I would test it on the thin leaf types on one leaf before spraying the whole plant .. Hang in there .. Gin

[christina waines]

If I remember correctly Permrethrin is an insect growth regulator and is used in most flea products sold for dogs and cats but double check I could be wrong. Pyrethrin is one of the best insect killers around. You can find it in two products made by Safers; End All, and Trounce either one works well on mites. Both are contact sprays and are useless once they dry on the plant. Thus you must repeat several times at 7 day intervals to eradicate the vermin. Spider mite are common in dry situations, so as a preventative in the future you should increase the humidity in your growing area. a small home humidifier will help tremendously. You can carefully wash the plant leaves with cold water as spider mites hate it. I would hold the plant upside down to prevent cold water getting on the roots. I think you should be okay spraying plants outdoors as long as it's not too cold. Hope this helps

[TeresaE]

Originally Posted by christina waines

If I remember correctly Permrethrin is an insect growth regulator and is used in most flea products sold for dogs and cats but double check I could be wrong. Pyrethrin is one of the best insect killers around. You can find it in two products made by Safers; End All, and Trounce either one works well on mites. Both are contact sprays and are useless once they dry on the plant. Thus you must repeat several times at 7 day intervals to eradicate the vermin. Spider mite are common in dry situations, so as a preventative in the future you should increase the humidity in your growing area. a small home humidifier will help tremendously. You can carefully wash the plant leaves with cold water as spider mites hate it. I would hold the plant upside down to prevent cold water getting on the roots. I think you should be okay spraying plants outdoors as long as it's not too cold. Hope this helps

Yeah I've had humidifiers for years but I can only get around 20-25% sometimes more. I have everything in a bedroom so I can't let it get too high or else I will rot the paint! I have a pretty good one right now that I'm quite happy with. Low humidity is something I've lived with for a very long time. Nothing you can do when it's so dry here in Alberta.

I diluted the mixture yesterday so it's not that strong and sprayed a bunch. We'll see what happens now! I discovered a couple of plants that were all of a sudden severely infected. Grrrrrrrr! The battle goes on....