Mother Freaking Spider Mites!! Argh!!

[katrina]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

The real pain is when I have this other mite, red and a bit slower moving than red spider mites, and much much smaller than red spider mites, say, 1/10 of it? It literally looks like a tiny little red brown dot.
Most people probably won't even realize that they are living things but dust particle.
That's exactly what I thought when I first saw them on my oncidiums and dendrobiums years ago, until...one day there were so many and they left some typical white/rusty marks on the underside of the leaves.
Now, I have a paph in bud and unfortunately I see a few of these little specks again. I can't spray on the bud as it will most likely blast it.
I've been just trying the get them off using a toothpick, but I'm aftraid doing this on a daily basis might upset the bud and cause it to drop off.
I don't see these bugs on the leaves or near plants or anywhere, but they are there every day right on the bud. How strange! I'm sure they walk not fly. lol
It is definitely not a running red mite, they do move but not at running speed.
Gosh! hate these super small pests. Such pain.

If they are damaging the leaves then, yes, yours are the harmful kind. If you don't want to spray chem controls then take the plant(s) to the sink/shower and hose them off every day. Honestly, hosing the plants down daily w/just a good, strong stream of water (making sure to get the undersides of the leaves really well) is as effective (if not more effective!) as some of the soapy/home remedies out there. The water knocks them off but it also increases humidity (which for reasons I don't understand) at the plant and that seems to slow spider mites down. High humidity and warmth seems to put them to sleep. ?? Anyway...a good blast of water daily will go a long way in helping to limit the damage and limit the population explosion.

I found some spider mites on 3 Ctsm recently and I washed the leaves w/dish soap to get the sticky sap off and now I'm showering them off every day. It happens every fall/winter w/the Ctsm - I spray w/a miticide before bringing them inside but w/the temps as they are this time of the year the windows are open and they always get inside.

As long as the problem doesn't affect more than a few plants, I will continue w/the water sprays. And, I check the others in the area daily for any signs - mag lens in hand. If I stay on top of it then it never gets bad...if I drop my guard then it explodes this time of the year and I'm forced to carry them all outside and hit them w/the miticide again.

[NYCorchidman]

The thing is these mites only cause damage when they occur in large numbers, yet, I don't want to wait until the damage is done. lol

I do not use strong water pressure. I once severely damaged an oncidium. Bad bruise showed up the next day. I thought it was bacterial rot, but then I remembered, oh, wait, oops! I guess the shower was a bit too strong the other night. hahaha

I read some stuff about different mites and red spider mites are the ones that thrive under dry and hot conditions.

Flat mite ( I'm still not exactly sure what these super tiny ones are ) thrive under greenhouse conditions, high humidity and warm. Go figure!

And worst of all, these super little mites don't come off with water easily. You really have to either spray (which I don't want to) or hand pick them off, like I am doing with a tooth pick or bare finger depending on where these suckers are on the plants. lol

[katrina]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

And worst of all, these super little mites don't come off with water easily. You really have to either spray (which I don't want to) or hand pick them off, like I am doing with a tooth pick or bare finger depending on where these suckers are on the plants. lol

Interesting...I've never heard of a mite that isn't easily washed off. Sounds like you have your hands full!

Personally, I wouldn't have the patience to pick something so tiny off w/a toothpick...I'd be pulling out the big guns and bombing their little mite-asses.

[RandomGemini]

So far, increasing humidity seems to be slowing the progress of the infestation and also watering the plants. I have attempted manual removal, but the two phals I mentioned earlier are in such a bad way that I think they are goners. The roots still look healthy though, so maybe they can come back from this? Cross those fingers!!

[DMT]

The Plastic Bag Trick
The easiest, cheapest and most harmless way to get rid of spider mite is to create a "sauna". Water infested plants well, then pour away any excess water. Place the pot inside a large transparent plastic bag, tie up the top and leave the plant for two days.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by DMT

The Plastic Bag Trick
The easiest, cheapest and most harmless way to get rid of spider mite is to create a "sauna". Water infested plants well, then pour away any excess water. Place the pot inside a large transparent plastic bag, tie up the top and leave the plant for two days.

Why do you think that would kill them?

My understanding of the situation w/humidity and moisture is that it merely slows them down. Kind of puts them to sleep but doesn't kill them. It also slows their reproduction but, again, doesn't kill them.

Open the bag 2 days later and you will still have spider mites.

[Luizacft]

There are videos on youtube about how to get rid of spidermites. I never faced that problem before sonot able to help too much, but look for the videos, they might be helpful.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Reeses]

How about neem oil? It's totally natural and thus safe for your little puppy. It's been used in some foods, if I understand right. It acts as both a prevention and a treatment, as it stops the insects from reproducing. My mom's money tree was badly infested with spider mites, and while I don't attribute the success totally to neem oil, I think it finished them off. The only caveat is that it has a strong smell! I don't find it disgusting like some do, but it makes me think of garlic peanut butter haha