do spider mites live in soil?

countryboystoner

Active Member
Hello RU I'm a long time member first time poster and long time reader coming to you with a question can spider mites live in soil ? Reason I ask is today while watering my girls I noticed small red or amber colored mites coming from the soil to the top. I've looked over the leaves and the underside as well I don't notice any sign of them there. I've tried to research online but haven't been able to find a clear answer I'm really hoping that the not spider mites and soil mites instead but if they are spider mites I want to catch them early before the tiny devils harm my girls . Ughh some please help me out I'm over here mad stressing fearing they are spider mites and don't want my hard work going to hell.
 
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a mongo frog

Well-Known Member
Some sort of a root drench would probably help you out. Stuff like azamax for a root drench, there are others and more serious ones too. But i think azamax is considered organic. Fuck there are probably some members that have a home made drench.
 

countryboystoner

Active Member
Thanks for your input a mongo frog yeah I'm thinking a drench of some type hopeful a member comes along with an organic drench as I'm using my own homemade organic soil that I use for my veggie garden and used in a few outdoor grows as well so want to keep it organic as I can.
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
Chemical Control
"Spider mites frequently become a problem after applying insecticides. Such outbreaks are commonly a result of the insecticide killing off the mites’ natural enemies but also occur when certain insecticides stimulate mite reproduction. For example, spider mites exposed to carbaryl (Sevin) in the laboratory have been shown to reproduce faster than untreated populations. Carbaryl, some organophosphates, and some pyrethroids apparently also favor spider mites by increasing the level of nitrogen in leaves. Insecticides applied during hot weather usually appear to have the greatest effect, causing dramatic spider mite outbreaks within a few days.

If a treatment for mites is necessary, use selective materials, preferably insecticidal soap or insecticidal oil. Both petroleum-based horticultural oils and plant-based oils such as neem, canola, or cottonseed oils are acceptable. There are also a number of plant extracts formulated as acaricides (a pesticide that kills mites) that exert an effect on spider mites. These include garlic extract, clove oil, mint oils, rosemary oil, cinnamon oil and others. Don’t use soaps or oils on water-stressed plants or when temperatures exceed 90°F. These materials may injure some plants, so check labels and/or test them out on a portion of the foliage several days before applying a full treatment. Oils and soaps must contact mites to kill them, so excellent coverage, especially on the undersides of leaves, is essential, and repeat applications may be required.

Sulfur sprays can be used on some vegetables, fruit trees, and ornamentals. This product will burn cucurbits and other plants in some cases. Don’t use sulfur unless it has been shown to be safe for that plant in your locality. Use liquid products such as sulfur and potash soap combinations (e.g., Safer Brand 3-in-1 Garden Spray) rather than sulfur dusts, which drift easily and can be breathed in. Don’t use sulfur if temperatures exceed 90°F, and don’t apply sulfur within 30 days of an oil spray. Sulfur is a skin irritant and eye and respiratory hazard, so always wear appropriate protective clothing."

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7405.html
 
In my experience once a grow space gets mites it's virtually impossible to exterminate them completely. Only hope is to maintain low population thru vigilant cleaning and spraying on a 10 day schedule.
 

countryboystoner

Active Member
Thanks for the info everyone so I guess the answer to my ? Is they can live in soil as this has been the only place I've seen them so for as I said I've looked my plants over and haven't seen them on the plants or leaves and from what I've read up on them that sould be where there most offten found which Is I was hoping they soil mites instead ugh what a bitch fml my first indoor grow and looks like I got red spider mites. That's really upseting now to find a way to kill off the little fuckers cause they gotta go
 

countryboystoner

Active Member
Thanks hotrodharley I took a look at that link going to finish read it here in a few I see where the said a mixture of soap and water will help kill them off think this would work or need something stronger
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
Thanks hotrodharley I took a look at that link going to finish read it here in a few I see where the said a mixture of soap and water will help kill them off think this would work or need something stronger
Retired medical professional here so it's not lightly that I say I would use Hot Shot pest strips near my plants with your level of experience. Get rid of them quick. Your experience will gain quickly as you go along giving you time to look for better options. Others here will back that except for our devoted organic growers (which I am working hard to convert to TOTALLY).
 

Zheol

Well-Known Member
make sure you don't have root aphids little bastards are as bad is not worse then mites
 
Hello RU I'm a long time member first time poster and long time reader coming to you with a question can spider mites live in soil ? Reason I ask is today while watering my girls I noticed small red or amber colored mites coming from the soil to the top. I've looked over the leaves and the underside as well I don't notice any sign of them there. I've tried to research online but haven't been able to find a clear answer I'm really hoping that the not spider mites and soil mites instead but if they are spider mites I want to catch them early before the tiny devils harm my girls . Ughh some please help me out I'm over here mad stressing fearing they are spider mites and don't want my hard work going to hell.
I have always used dawn and conola oil mixed with water, spray the underside of leaves every couple of days, but spray with normal water on the inbetween days, if that makes sense. Your fight is with the eggs.
 

jondamon

Well-Known Member
Something else to consider is that it may not actually be spider mites if it’s only within your soil.

If your soil is living then you’ll have a colony of detritus converters living within it.

Usually brown or red looking insects in soil can be the following.

A type of springtail search based on your location for what types are found.

Hypoaspis miles - benenficial mite often found to be included in some medium mixes that are bought.

Bulb mite - although due to their size normally appear to be white until further inspection.
 
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