Just discovering what looks like a bad Spider Mite infestation on one of my plants. Surprisingly, I see no evidence they have spread to the other two plants in the tent. All three plants are very near ready to harvest (on day 63 of flowering stage, which is right about average for these strains). I have already removed the infested plant from the tent and sprayed it gently from underside with water to remove the mites. Seems like it would be a bad idea to reintroduce this plant to the tent and it won't get 12 hours darkness outside. Today I will get some Spider Mite Control spray and treat all the plants. Aside from this treatment that will hopefully kill the Spider Mites, how does this impact my harvest? I was hoping to get a couple more weeks of maturation because many colas still have majority white pistils. Can the plant I know is infested still be harvested and enjoyed after treatment? Maybe I should go ahead and harvest this plant if I can't return it to the tent for the controlled light cycle. I have read many other posts on GWE about Spider Mites and treatment but haven't seen any that specifically address being this close to harvest. I assume that the Spider Mites need to be dealt with before harvest so they're not present in the drying stage. Thanks in advance for all feedback. The photos showing mite damage and presence were taken this morning. The other photos to show the pistils were taken last Friday.
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Spider Mites and almost time to harvest - Advice appreciated
- Thread starter Sperocles
- Start date
First spray nothing on buds, IF you must I would use ISO (rubbing alcohol) and water 1 part ISO to 8 parts water. (I have went as much as 50/50) note not the coloured shit.
Second keep this plant out of the grow room, and inspect the others daily.
Third well IF you like bug shit in your buds you can use them.
Forth look into bud washing, it can remove at least most of the bug shit.
fifth do a full clean and disinfection of everything in and around the grow room
next reply
Second keep this plant out of the grow room, and inspect the others daily.
Third well IF you like bug shit in your buds you can use them.
Forth look into bud washing, it can remove at least most of the bug shit.
fifth do a full clean and disinfection of everything in and around the grow room
next reply
DabberDog
Well-known member
Good news and bad news, I think.
I think the good news is I think they might not be spider mites. I think they don't quite look right, I think. Lack of webbing is a giveaway.
I think the bad news is I think you have thrips. I think they look more like thrips in the pictures. The damage they are causing is a giveaway.
More bad news is chances are the plants are more infected than you have seen.
I have had good luck with aiming fans directly at the underside of the plants where the bugs are hanging out. Really get the plants moving, but not so much as to rip the leaves. Water spray will not just knock bugs off your plant but knock them to another place on your plant. Upping the fan action keeps their environment agitated and unwelcoming.
I think the good news is I think they might not be spider mites. I think they don't quite look right, I think. Lack of webbing is a giveaway.
I think the bad news is I think you have thrips. I think they look more like thrips in the pictures. The damage they are causing is a giveaway.
More bad news is chances are the plants are more infected than you have seen.
I have had good luck with aiming fans directly at the underside of the plants where the bugs are hanging out. Really get the plants moving, but not so much as to rip the leaves. Water spray will not just knock bugs off your plant but knock them to another place on your plant. Upping the fan action keeps their environment agitated and unwelcoming.
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Rootsruler
New member
Agree with @dabberdog
The best first step would be to remove the plants from the tent and take them outside so you can give them a hard spray to knock off as many bugs as you can. I would follow with an insecticidal soap solution as that is the mildest pesticide you can use. While you are doing this I would wipe down the entire interior of your tent with Isopropyl Alcohol or bleach to kill off as many uninvited guests as you can. This should get you through at least harvest but you'll need to do a proper bleach down of the tent. While you're at it I would also do a thorough cleaning of the lung room the tent is in to further reduce the bug population you are currently fighting.
If this doesn't work then you are left with something more drastic meaning some sort of pesticide. I like to use a product called Azamax. It is OMRI certified Organic, is a derivative of Neem oil and can be applied 15 days prior to harvest. I wouldn't cut it that close and wouldn't go any closer than 30 days to harvest to give it time to break down but that is up to you.
The best first step would be to remove the plants from the tent and take them outside so you can give them a hard spray to knock off as many bugs as you can. I would follow with an insecticidal soap solution as that is the mildest pesticide you can use. While you are doing this I would wipe down the entire interior of your tent with Isopropyl Alcohol or bleach to kill off as many uninvited guests as you can. This should get you through at least harvest but you'll need to do a proper bleach down of the tent. While you're at it I would also do a thorough cleaning of the lung room the tent is in to further reduce the bug population you are currently fighting.
If this doesn't work then you are left with something more drastic meaning some sort of pesticide. I like to use a product called Azamax. It is OMRI certified Organic, is a derivative of Neem oil and can be applied 15 days prior to harvest. I wouldn't cut it that close and wouldn't go any closer than 30 days to harvest to give it time to break down but that is up to you.
Bluey
Well-known member
For thrips a good shake & dishwashing liquid works well. Not as stressful as Neem Oil but does the job. Just mix as you would to wash your dishes and use a fine sprayer to completely coat all of the plant EXCEPT the buds. Don't get your buds wet. Let it drip on your medium as there will be a few of them on and in the top half inch of your pot.
Thrips are not so difficult to get rid of but you will probably need a few sprays over a 7 day period or so to deal with eggs depending on how far advanced the infestation is.
Thrips are not so difficult to get rid of but you will probably need a few sprays over a 7 day period or so to deal with eggs depending on how far advanced the infestation is.
Allenpro
New member
Mighty from NPK and you can spray it on the buds with no risk. I made a stuipd mistake by bringing a plant inside when it started to get cold. i even put the plant in the shower and I swear I heard the little bastards singing. I fought those little bastards for 2 years before I found MIghty and got rid of them. MIghty not only kills the mites but it kills thier eggs also. Now your welcome to try any of the bro science methods you find, I did and none of them worked, but MIghty works and doesnt mess with your buds or thier flavor. Over the years 3000 lady bugs gave their life to back me up, Spider mites eventually beat the shit out of the lady bugs
I still have a little PTSD from that.
I still have a little PTSD from that.
Allenpro
New member
Smoking buds that have been sprayed with Neam oil can do you some damage and to be honest it doesnt really work if you have an infestation
Here's why:
Potential taste and aroma alteration: Neem oil can negatively impact the flavor and smell of the buds, leaving a bitter or harsh taste.
Undesirable residue: When applied shortly before harvest, neem oil residue can be left on the buds and affect the smoking experience.
Possible health concerns: While neem oil is considered largely safe for external use on plants, the long-term effects of inhaling burnt neem oil residue are not fully understood. Some anecdotal evidence suggests a possible link to cannabis hyperemesis syndrome in some individuals, although this is based on limited
Here's why:
Potential taste and aroma alteration: Neem oil can negatively impact the flavor and smell of the buds, leaving a bitter or harsh taste.
Undesirable residue: When applied shortly before harvest, neem oil residue can be left on the buds and affect the smoking experience.
Possible health concerns: While neem oil is considered largely safe for external use on plants, the long-term effects of inhaling burnt neem oil residue are not fully understood. Some anecdotal evidence suggests a possible link to cannabis hyperemesis syndrome in some individuals, although this is based on limited
Rootsruler
New member
Hahaha! Singing Mites!! Reminds me of the scene in Ratatoullie where the Rat band is playing but I envision the mites using their webs as guitar strings! 
The thing I see is most newbs don't take pest prevention seriously until they have to eradicate one. Then they realize how persistent these bugs are in staying in your space. I had one friend have to abandon his basement for a year doing multiple bombings and spray downs before he was able to use the space again.
The thing I see is most newbs don't take pest prevention seriously until they have to eradicate one. Then they realize how persistent these bugs are in staying in your space. I had one friend have to abandon his basement for a year doing multiple bombings and spray downs before he was able to use the space again.