How to kill Spider Mites

**burjzyntski** · 06-12-2008, 10:31 AM

I'm 100% sure Ive got a spider mite infestation and I'd like some help on how to kill them.

I've heard that soapy water will do the trick, but I'm concerned that the soap will bring the soil's pH up to a dangerously basic level (maybe), so would you use lemon juice or vinegar to level the pH out?

I've heard the soapy water trick from two different people, and neither said anything about adding lemon juice/vinegar, and you can always lower the pH later (acidify it), so I think I'll go ahead and do this...?

Any suggestions? Comments? Feedback?

**Lunesta215** · 06-12-2008, 11:21 AM

Floramite

its the best and will stay in the plant for up to 45 days. I had a bad infestation and this is the best stuff. I think its 30 bucks or so. But by all means get it

**burjzyntski** · 06-12-2008, 11:51 AM

Thanks, but I could only find it for $250 (I've only looked a bit online, haven't gone to a shop yet) and I'm trying to keep as many chemicals away from my plant as possible...

i'm using all household items for nutrients (selective compost ingredients) and I'd like to do the same to keep the mites at bay.

I haven't brought any soapy water out there yet (it's raining now), but last time I checked on my little one (m/f hasn't shown yet) his upper leaves were yellowing a bit more, so either he needs water, N, or the mites are taking hold

FYI:
Soap pH
Camay 9.5
Dial 9.5
Dove 7.0
Irish Spring 9.5
Ivory 9.5
Lever 2000 9.0
Palmolive 10.0
Zest 10.0

Lemon juice 1.8~2.3
Vinegar 2.4~3.4

I needed to find this information, and thought maybe you all could use it to make your own mite sprays, so hopefully someone can benefit from this.

I'll let you know how this works out, since I still need to figure out what concentrations of each I need to achieve the ideal pH of 6-7.

**Black Light** · 06-12-2008, 11:54 AM

Get the spray bottle though.

**MrFishy** · 06-12-2008, 12:05 PM

Pyrethrum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I use a pyrethrum based product called "Eight" . . . can be used up to one day before harvesting.
I wouldn't spray it on my buds, unless they were just starting.
For mites, no matter what you use, you'll likely want to spray twice . . . once to kill off the adults, again in 2-3 weeks to kill any hatchlings.

**abwhite86** · 06-12-2008, 08:12 PM

thanks black light this really helps especially since i have this in my building and have a huge spider mite problem

**burjzyntski** · 06-16-2008, 11:40 AM

well, it looks like something i did has helped..i don't know what it was, but the number of spots has decreased...maybe the rains drowned them all(?), because I havent sprayed them with soapy water.

two of the largest leaves are showing some yellowing along the edges, so i went out today and added some cuttings (scallions, broccoli, spinach), coffee grounds, eggshells, and a banana peel.