Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello! new to this forum but have been reading posts from backyard aquaponics for quite some time to remedy certain issues. I have 4 25 foot aquaponics beds filled with cinder. One or two of the beds seem to have a web on the surface. I see small spider-like creatures that I don't think are spider mites (they seem larger & darker in color than spider mites), but am not sure. I also have a non-aphid pest, leaving small, oblong carcasses at the base of the plants that it's destroying.Has anyone ever experienced this issue? The webs and/or the small unidentified pests? when alive they are very small and light brownish/tan in color.Has anyone ever had very small, dark brown spiders making webs and living at the surface of their grow beds? I am stuck! I need help, please! I have pictures but the file is too large to attach here...

understood:) I think I figured out the picture problem.the attached photo is of the mystery "carcasses" and you can see the webs in the cinder... I don't think these two things are related. I think the web is either spiderlings or spider mites, but from what I understand spider mites would be semi difficult to see with the naked eye, and whatever I have is fairly easy to see, and dark brown. the carcasses may actually be from aphids but there was another very small insect that I saw several of that made me suspicious...

Pleeeeaaaaase, would love some guidance on this one. Can anyone tell if those webs are spider mite webs vs. spider webs? I don't want to go around and treat for spider mites if I don't have them. These things are about pin-head size and dark brownish. seemingly spiderlings but I'm unsure.

hard to tell.. looks like thrips as well as the spider/mites
i'd use predatory mites, which will work on spidermites as well as the thrips

What about lady bugs? won't lady bugs eat most of those evil little critters who keep munching my veggies? If not, where is the best place to purchase "predatory mites", as I live in Hawaii and my resources are somewhat limited..

i've used ladybugs (which layed eggs in the system, the larvae eat more aphids than the adult ladybugs) for aphids, they didn't do anything about spidermites.. i've purchased predator mites, ladybugs and nematodes (which may also work on the spidermites, but i'm not sure - they worked on a fungus gnat infestation though) online and had them shipped to me..

I used Neem Oil (its organic certified too) it will kill aphids and spider mites

here is a quote from Peaceful Valley (Online @ groworganic.com)(they also sell predatory bugs like ladybugs and praying mantis besides neem oil etc..)

"Neem Oil: Broad Spectrum Insecticide/Miticide

A unique broad spectrum pesticide which acts as an insecticide, fungicide, and miticide. As fungicides, they are most effective when used as a preventative or when disease pressure is light. Works by coating plant surfaces, therefore preventing fungal spore germination and killing external fungi on leaf surfaces. Thorough coverage is important. As an insecticide/miticide, use when insect/mite pressure is light to moderate. Suffocates insects and mites on contact and is especially effective on whiteflies, aphids and other soft bodied insects. Also acts as a repellent. Since this product is an oil, it can also kill bees if they are exposed to direct treatment so we recommend applying this product when they are not visiting your plants."

can be used till few days before harvest (as its NOT poisonous to mammals (U n me =))
also I use sevin dust (NOT ORGANIC certified) but of all bug poisons, its almost 0% non-toxic to humans/mammals) as we break it down into non-dangerous compounds)(unless you EAT A BUNCH)

JUST REMEMBER THAT sevin will kill almost ALL bugs including BEE's, and LADYBUGS...

note*I'm NOT connected to either of these companies except ME using some of their products...

careful with any "oils" in an ap system.. oils can end up coating the gills of the fish, causing them to suffocate
and don't use sevin dust in ap, safe for mammals doesn't mean safe for aquatic life

My guess is that the small white things on the media could be aphid nymphs. I have only seen spider mites on plants and not in media so I think you just have some small spiders. Hard to tell from what I can see.

PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS: HAZARDOUS TO HUMANS AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS. CAUTION: Harmful if swallowed. Causes eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Avoid breathing dust. Wash thoroughly after handling. Avoid contact with food, feed, feeding troughs and water receptacles. STATEMENT OF PRACTICAL TREATMENT. Swallowed: Give water or milk to drink and telephone for medical advice. Consult medical personnel before inducing vomiting. If medical advice cannot be obtained, then take person and product container to the nearest emergency treatment center or hospital. In case of eye contact, wash eyes immediately with fresh water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation persists. For skin, wash with plenty of soap and water. Inhalation: remove patient from exposed area. NOTE TO PHYSICIANS: Emergency Information call 1-800-457-2022. Carbaryl is a moderately reversible cholinesterase inhibitor. Atropine is antidotal. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: This product is extremely toxic to aquatic and estuary vertebrates. Do not apply directly to water. Do not contaminate water by cleaning of equipment or disposal of water. NOTICE: Buyer assumes all responsibility for use not in accordance with directions.

This is from the US Department of Agriculture website. I would NOT use sevendust anywhere near my AP system!

I use ladybugs and praying mantids in my greenhouse and they do a pretty good job keeping down the pests.

your right, I've farmed for years and have done organic for 10+ years, BUT I need to "THINK" differently than hydroponics, organic, or soil based mediums I've used in past...

Now you are RIGHT in saying that you shouldn't use it near aquatic life (I messed up ya'll) BUT I don't believe ANYTHING USDA says, they usually outlaw ANYTHING that works and forces you to use a product that works HALF as well as what it replaced BUT COSTS 2X as much!!! and in 10 years they realize that the "NEW" product is MORE HARMFUL than what it replaced... Follow the money in WHO did this "RESEARCH" bet its a competitor to Sevin... Also my Great grandfather used it for the 45 years I've been alive (probably allot longer than that) n he NEVER wore gloves, used it DIRECTLY on his food crops till the DAY of harvest and on COWS, HORSES and DOGS and they all lived LONG HEALTHY LIVES. (Pop Turner lived to be 102 years old) look up how the compound works, it kills bugs but it turns into HARMLESS COMPOUNDS in mammals...compare how sevin works vs ANY OTHER POISON for bugs n see whats the LEAST TOXIC TO YOU.

ps surgeon general after EXTENSIVE RESEARCH and BILLIONS of YOUR tax dollars has concluded that BIRTH causes DEATH...

Seven dust is great stuff, I use it all the time, just not near my aquaponics system. I have a bottle in the garage and I can tell you the label they put on it says pretty much the exact thing the usda does in this case.

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Like I said...I'm new to AP and I'm used to "MASS FARMING" and even "hydroponics" and "organic farming" BUT all this Aquaponics is ALL NEW TO ME... and I gotta re-think how things work, I didn't even think about "the fish" and just thought of what worked for me organically or regular dirt farming...

I might need to just open my mouth to ask questions n let the experts help others out...