Spider Mite treatments Near Harvest ???

[grouchyoldman]

I'm about two weeks away from a nice White Widow harvest and the dreaded Spider Mites are attacking! The infestation is still minor but they can ramp up fast. Looking for advice on safe treatment options.

I'd estimate a dozen or so fan leaves showed yellow Spidey spots a week ago, and I verified mites and their eggs using a magnifier.

Grow room temp and humidity are under control and fans are moving the air around a bit. There's a single WW female ending week 7 flowering, 12/12. The plant is growing in rich compost, and otherwise very healthy, lots of foliage, thickening buds. Water-only flushing in progress.

I have already applied two fairly heavy treatments of Permethrin using a fogger. Using the magnifier afterwards I can see dead spideys and black dead-looking eggs. *gross out*

So, should I just ignore this for the next two weeks then nuke the grow room after harvest? Or continue treating with Perm? Or treat with another agent like Spinosad.

I'm concerned about dumping anything on my budding buds, but Perm supposedly goes inert after a fews days. Same with Spino.

Lookin for some experienced advise here.

Regards,

-Grouchy

[Rwise]

91% ISO (or whatever rubbing alcohol you can get, no die please) 50/50 with water. Spray the under side then the top and soak it good and deep into everything. This kills the adults not the eggs, so do it every 2 days to kill the new hatch. At least 3 treatments (over 6 days) then watch closely. Good luck!
Oh ya, you may want to ventilate the room while you do this, be safe. Spinosad would also work.

[grouchyoldman]

91% ISO (or whatever rubbing alcohol you can get, no die please) 50/50 with water. Spray the under side then the top and soak it good and deep into everything. This kills the adults not the eggs, so do it every 2 days to kill the new hatch. At least 3 treatments (over 6 days) then watch closely. Good luck!
Oh ya, you may want to ventilate the room while you do this, be safe. Spinosad would also work.

Excellent tip, thanks. That will also allow me to wash out any Permethrin residue from those fattening buds. No reason the 50/50 alcohol mix wouldn't work in my fogger? I love that thing for easily "gassing" an entire plant/tree.

Gracias,

-Grouchy

[Rwise]

I dont see any reason why it wouldn't work
BTW Welcome to GWE

[Pedley]

As a professional pest control technician a permethrin based insecdiside will stay residual for 3 to 4 weeks after drying once it's not washed away so no need to over do it on the fogging I'd say say

[MeEasy]

My two cents..... good airflow around your room is very important after soaking, alcohol does evaporate quickly but the water will not leaving you at risk of mold/bud rot.
good luck

[grouchyoldman]

Thanks everyone. Here’s a sample White Widow bud under SpideyMite attack: