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Spider Mites (?) F40

ocgreen

ocgreen

New member
I am really disappointed to learn that I have mites at around F40 in 3 different tents. I don't see webbing anywhere yet, but I am starting to see white flecks all over various leaves and did see some eggs and a couple black flecks (assuming these are mites) under some leaves. Can't find my camera right now.

I read the articles online and did some searching on here and see things like 50/50 ISO mix being recommended. Some folks say you can use certain products right until flush. Some folks recommend washing their buds after harvest. But personally, all of that sounds disgusting.

The only treatment option that seems reasonable to me is a predatory insect. Does anyone have experience using them in flower for what seems like a mild infestation at this point?

Or any other tips in terms of what I can use?

In 2 tents, I definitely caught things early as I can only see maybe 5-10 leaves with flecks. In the 2x4 I let it go too long (misdiagnosed as a nutrient problem) and I would say about 30% of leaves are showing signs of damage. Can't see any webs but expect they're in the 2x4 based on how much the infestation has progressed.

Would it help to cut off all the damaged leaves with eggs and mites under them?

I am going to go buy some dia someting earth and putting it on the medium so it cuts the little bastards up.

Anything else you can recommend?


Thanks
 
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Spider mites for sure?

Let it get so bad by misdiagnosing as nutrient issue. Lesson learned!
 
Thanks for link. Sounds like the predatory mites (cats) will die after they eat the mice (spider mites) so I wont be left with a cat problem. What am I missing?
 
Ladybugs! I have used Captain Jacks Dead Bug, Spinosad, ISO, they all need to be done every 3 days without fail. After I got tired of trying to kill them, I sat the plants outside where the ladybugs tended them. In 3 days the new growth looked good, they are finishing now..
 
Something that helped me, I turned loose 1500, my neighbor did also and both commercial grows turned loose large numbers of them. I'll add praying mantis this year!
 
Yes and after doing battle you will know why! I have read rosemary oil with water explodes the eggs, I have not tried it.
 
Well... fuck. This was to be my last run until some planned renos take place during summer/clean start in fall. Not spraying or washing my buds so I guess I will see how the lady bugs do but most likely have to toss at least some of the plants.

They say it's impossible to get rid of in grow room. Well my plan was to install new vinyl plank flooring, paint, etc. Where all the tents are. And I always bleach wash my tents before taking them down.

Assuming I also meticulously disinfect all grow equipment and basically stop growing for a few months while I do renos... what see the chances they survive down there and I still have this damn problem in fall? I was going to keep a mother plant but now I think I will just toss the mom and start from seed again later

One last time....fucccck!
 
Recommended alcohol / water mix will kill a lot of them quick as a 1st treatment. Then I've had success with spinosad, azamax .don't go easy on them ,you'll regret it.
 
Alcohol water work but you have to apply it constantly. Some plants need to be discarded if too infested. Removing infested leaves will help a lot. Diatomaceous earth will do nothing against mites. Best predatory bugs are other bigger meaner mites, you can find them online but won’t ship overseas so you have to find a local source. The one thing I can tell you about mites from my experience is something in your environment has drawn them to your plants. Could be a certain strain, the humidity, overall poor health of the plant. What I mean is you can kill the mites you see and remove there infested plants. But you want to get your tents to the point before any mites showed up, so what could have changed?
 
Thanks 9fingerleafs. Some great info. After giving it some thought I realized that i'm only 18 days from finishing and it really isnt that big of a problem in the 3x3 or 4x4 (yet) so maybe I can save them. Most likely going to discard the 2 plants in the 2x4.

In terms of a treatment plan, how does this sound?

hand wash the underside of every leaf (spots or no spots) in 4x4 and 3x3 with 50/50 alcohol water or insecticidal soap (but leave buds alone) once every other day for next 18 days

Increase amount of air flow in tent to help with drying of leaves and for overall prevention

Chop off any leaves that have signs of damage (after they're washed to avoid them jumping to new leaf after I cut)

In terms of what's different....

Im going to turn off the extra lights I recently added (they like the extra heat)

Let RH creep back into high 40s low 50s because they like drier spaces and I was dropping RH to low 30s

Basically try to finish this grow then.....

Bleach clean/disinfect all equipment

Go ahead with some planned renos that will result in all walls being repainted and floors being replaced.....

Remove all plant material and anything they could survive on from grow space (basement) for about 2 months while renos are completed

Put on one of those jumpsuits and gloves every time I go to enter basement post renos

Get even more obsessed about cleanliness!

Replace all my carbon filters

Take apart exhaust fans and clean the actual blades etc

Start from seed again in the fall and choose a different strain




If I do all that, as well as anything else you can suggest.... what are my chances these stupid bastards come back?
 
Yep already feeling like a dumb ass that I ignored the little flecks for so long thinking it was nothing to worry about. Wrote out my plan below. Let me know if you have more suggestions
 
+ buy 1000 lady bugs from website above. Assuming I can get them. Said they are ready in June so maybe just in time. Guy at my local groq shop says it will be 7-10 days before I get them from the bug site due to pandemic etc
 
I've been fighting WPM for some time and the only way to totally clean ones tent is to take it all apart - clean everything - then put it back together.
 
That sounds great. The alcohol can be applied couple of times a day just remember to turn off the lights for a while after. I wouldn’t open the tent, most likely the humidity made it comfortable for the mites to reproduce, the spraying and reducing the heat should help a lot. I wouldn’t get crazy about disinfecting but it’s always a good idea to keep things clean. I think as long as you keep the humidity closer to 50 they won’t sprout again
 
Well luckily that was the plan after this run. And it'll be about 2 months before it gets 0it back together again so hopefully whatever eggs or bugs that survived the wash and tear down die during the off time
 
Ok thanks. Will aim to wash daily before lights go out. May be able to wash twice daily on less busy days.

Sorry but what do you mean about dont open tent? I need to open to wash the leaves and water 🤔😅
 
Dont be afraid to use the ISO on the buds and do it heavy! The ISO kills the adults on contact, and evaporates rapidly.
 
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