First time spider mites, can I save the soil in the 4x4bed?

I made a really nice soil using buildasoil and quality (expensive) compost, which worked really well. I was hoping I could unleash predator insects, or maby even spray something natural and then unleash the predator mites.

What do you guys think? Someone said I should spray some “Azapro” on the soil and then unleash predatory insects. Simply, I just don’t want to toss the soil.

Suggestions fellas?

Kind Sir said:

I made a really nice soil using buildasoil and quality (expensive) compost, which worked really well. I was hoping I could unleash predator insects, or maby even spray something natural and then unleash the predator mites.

What do you guys think? Someone said I should spray some “Azapro” on the soil and then unleash predatory insects. Simply, I just don’t want to toss the soil.

Suggestions fellas?

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Drench/Pyrethrin

Get yourself some wettable sulfur & beauveria Bassiana in addition to predatory mites, in specific Neoseiulus barkeri (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)7, this predator is considered to be biologically compatible with the fungal insecticide. which will help kill the eggs as well as the adults

Spider mites don't live in soil. They need live plants to feed on. If you have spider mites on your plants citric acid is a contact killer and organic. No reason to be messing around with your soil due to spider mites.

Weedvin said:

Drench/Pyrethrin

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Soil drench using pyrethrin? Would that kill off any of the good stuff in the soil? Can I use predator mites after that, or will it kill them too?

That was one of my worries. Using some chemical that kills predator insects, but will this damage the beneficials IN the soil?

Have you done this before yourself or do you just know? I start getting worried using stuff i’ve never read about before, but will do whatever it takes.

Dreminen169 said:

Get yourself some wettable sulfur & beauveria Bassiana in addition to predatory mites, in specific Neoseiulus barkeri (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)7, this predator is considered to be biologically compatible with the fungal insecticide. which will help kill the eggs as well as the adults

Insight into the feeding behavior of predatory mites on Beauveria bassiana, an arthropod pathogen - Scientific Reports

Interactions between fungal entomopathogens and pest predators are particularly relevant in control of agricultural insect pests. In a laboratory study, we confirmed that the predatory mite, Neoseiulus barkeri, exhibited feeding behavior on the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana conidia...

www.nature.com

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xtsho said:

Spider mites don't live in soil. They need live plants to feed on. If you have spider mites on your plants citric acid is a contact killer and organic. No reason to be messing around with your soil due to spider mites.

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I didn’t think they lived in soil, but have been reading that they actually do. One site said up to 11 days, whether that’s true or not I am not sure.

Any suggestions on what predator insects to buy? Maby that can be used in conjunction WITH some sort of spray?

xtsho said:

Spider mites don't live in soil. They need live plants to feed on. If you have spider mites on your plants citric acid is a contact killer and organic. No reason to be messing around with your soil due to spider mites.

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Especially with pyrethrin soaks.

Kind Sir said:

Soil drench using pyrethrin? Would that kill off any of the good stuff in the soil? Can I use predator mites after that, or will it kill them too?

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No! Do not do that. No plants? No spider mites. They live along dusty roads for the most part.

Kind Sir said:

I didn’t think they lived in soil, but have been reading that they actually do. One site said up to 11 days, whether that’s true or not I am not sure.

Any suggestions on what predator insects to buy? Maby that can be used in conjunction WITH some sort of spray?

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I don't use predator insects so I can't help.

hotrodharley said:

No! Do not do that. No plants? No spider mites. They live along dusty roads for the most part.

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I’ve heard mixed responses whether they live in soil or not, just saying. I looked it up BRIEFLY and one site said they can live in soil up to 11 days. Regardless I was thinking I’ll stay away drom any harsh chemicals.

I was thinking I’ll just clean the room good, let the bed sit for a week or two with the predatory insects, and then clean the room really good afterwards.

https://organiccontrol.com/predatory-mites/

You can usually buy them on Amazon like everything else but they appear to be unavailable at Amazon. Try this and you get a quick education on how they work and how to use them.

Kind Sir said:

I’ve heard mixed responses whether they live in soil or not, just saying. I looked it up BRIEFLY and one site said they can live in soil up to 11 days. Regardless I was thinking I’ll stay away drom any harsh chemicals.

I was thinking I’ll just clean the room good, let the bed sit for a week or two with the predatory insects, and then clean the room really good afterwards.

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Them or their eggs can live in soil it sounds like from everything I've read. I'd get some predators. Some EWC or vermicompost will have free predators.

Put your soil in a tote in a separate part of the house, and release predator mites into the soil. Mix in some ewc as well. Then spray the bottom half of the outside of the tote with some pyrethrins. Keep the soil moist, but leave the lid cracked for airflow. I'd let it sit for a month, then put that soil back into rotation.

Be a good time to reammend the soil if it's needed as well.

pyrethrin is toxic, cancer causing. last resort. I had a friend who would use it without safety goggles and gloves. stupid..

xtsho said:

Spider mites don't live in soil. They need live plants to feed on. If you have spider mites on your plants citric acid is a contact killer and organic. No reason to be messing around with your soil due to spider mites.

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That's some good information Pyrethrin is a botanical, It's 100% organic listed with OMRI. I have not had one bug species indoors, no molds either, plant predators, not soil related dig it

"In murder mysteries, rat poison and pesticides intentionally added to food are sometimes used to kill. Scientists have also warned they can cause birth defects. However, more recent research shows that relatively low levels of weed killers, indoor bug sprays, and other pesticides can cause cancer and other serious medical problems in children, and possibly adults. A study published in September 2015 found that children exposed to indoor bug sprays and other insecticides are more likely to develop leukemia or lymphoma, and possibly brain cancer. "

and

"Is pyrethrum spray safe for humans? While natural pyrethrum is quite safe, the synthetic pyrethroids are usually much more toxic and persistent, because they're designed to be. Pyrethroids are modified to increase their stability in sunlight."

You find your own answers on google..

In 2014ish I knew a bunch of serious growers in the San Diego area. All of them advised that I use gloves and goggles with that stuff, except my stupid friend...

Just be careful when spraying it. Spray outside if possible, but not in a windy situation. Find an "organic" pyrethrin, it won't have chemicals added to increase how long it lasts. Half life outside is very short, it breaks down quickly, so it's not going to cause long term effects where you spray it. Don't spray near ponds or creeks, it's toxic to fish.
If you're against chemicals, line the floor around the tote with glue traps. Should stop them if you have a solid barrier.

This is pretty interesting
"In the top layers of soil, pyrethrins are rapidly broken down by microbes. Soil half-lives of 2.2 to 9.5 days have been reported."