| Author: |
Marc d W [ May 31st, '12, 08:43 ] |
| Post subject: |
Re: spider mites eating my plants |
Hi ycsarang84
spider mites are a real pain in the system especially in greenhouses but there is an effective and simple solution. If your mites are the two spotted or bean mite type then you can use predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) or just persimilis. It is more of a long term soluition but if you put enough in they can act like an insecticide (ie very rapidly remove them). The trick is to keep a population of persimilis in the plants over the course of the year so they can quickly get on to the 2 spotted mites before they build up.
Check out http://www.goodbugs.org.au/Good%20bugs%20available/persimilis.html for more info and google where you can buy some in your area. They can easily be delivered by mail and often arrive mixed in vermiculite or on bean leaves or some other substrate.
It is worth taking your time to work out how to use Persimilis effectively (ie their life cycle, needs etc) as they are such a great solution.
I have been using them for years.
PS if your eyes are good or if you have a good hand lens watching them feed is fun.
Cheers
Mark
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