[GrowRR] Mites

[JATLEE at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/4/2005 12:26:10 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,  
webmaster at bsi.org writes:

Bene Tay  wrote:
> Hello to all,
> 
> I have a slight problem with  Mites recently, it has took a toll on some 
plants. Some plants are covered  fully with web like structure with small red 
and white dots all around.  
> 
> I've check the FCBS on pest on bromeliad and concluded it to  be mites. 
Generally i don't really like using miticide on my plants since i  live with them 
in the room. 
> 
> I've tried jetting them out,  soaking them long hours in water hoping that 
they will be gone after my  persistent manual removal. If there are any other 
ideas on how to remove it  biologically please tell me . I really do not wish 
these mites to over run my  plants as they're pack closely together one 
another.

Mites are  interesting as they are technically not insects so many 
insecticides don't  work on them, hence special miticides.

You might want to try another  soak in water but this time with a little 
liquid soap. Something that you  would hand-wash dishes with that has 
some grease cutting action to it. The  idea would be to overcome the 
water's surface tension and allow water to  pass into the pores through 
which they "breathe". A squirt of dishwashing  soap in a sink full of 
water should be enough. Give them a good soak and  then rinse them off 
before drying.

Let us know if this  helps.


_____________
Ken Marks
BSI  Webmaster
 
These are Spider Mites.  Either you have the two spotted mites, white  dots, 
or the red spider mites.  I get them every year on my bananas when I  move 
them in my house before frost.
 
The Spider Mites (the Webs) have a long 16-18 day cycle.  You can only  kill 
them with constant water on the underside of the leaves, everyday for their  
entire cycle.  Humidity helps, but they live on dry, dust, and warmth. 
 
Take the plants outside and hose them down.  No need to use Soap, just  plain 
water is effective If you can break the cycle.
 
John
 
PS  You can see these if you look at them under the microscope.   They are 
Spiders.  Use an Arachnidcide.  They have Eight legs.

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