Here we go...

Have some spidermites... Dang it!! I thought I had these buggers under control.

I had thought the same thing . . next thing you know there they are again!

I've battled them for the last month or so. Before that, I didn't see ANY sign of them. As soon as I took the brugs out of the 'cold' room. WHAM those little suckers multiplied like rabbits. Once I get the brugs outside it seems I'm able to take control once again.
What are you using on the problem Sue?

This has been my first winter with NO spidermites. I have brugs upstairs where it is warm and in the basement where it is cooler. Down in the basement, I've had aphids, but upstairs.....nada. Had one little baby elephant ear with mites and I sprayed it with AVID and haven't had any since. Hope you can get rid of them. I had them really bad last summer.

Avid is a life saver for me. I wasnt' watching and found some back in March, sprayed with Avid and then a week later with Kelthane, no more mites. Just in time I might add, the gh inspector came, he said "I see you've got the mites under control, I don't see any live ones". Whew! that was close!
For those who don't like chemicals, mix rubbing alcohol and water 1:1 and add a squirt of non-antibacterial dish soap, spray under the leaves every three days for 21 days, that should get them.

I'm a fan of Avid too. A year ago I thought I'd never get rid of them. I sprayed with every organic and non-organic thing I could get my hands on. Last fall I sprayed with Avid and I haven't had a spider mite all winter. Or aphids for that matter.

Poppy, Last year I tried every home remedy there was and used several store bought sprays and I still had them.I finally broke down and bought some Avid.I had a few mites on the tip of one of my Brugs this winter and sprayed them all with Avid. Haven't had any since.It's expensive but well worth it.

Is Avid sold in the home stores or on line? I'll have to check into it. Thanks for the tips.

I do use Avid and it has worked wonders. This plant was all by it's lonesome in the livingroom. I guess I haven't paid it much attention. I didn't even notice the mites until I saw the webs a mile away! I'll bring it outside and give it a good spray today.

Kristi - Avid is the stuff that costs so much. I bought mine from Rosemania... $100 for an 8 oz bottle. If you can find some to split the cost with, you'll have plenty. It only takes a ¼ tsp for a gallon of water.

I've had a couple aphid breakouts in the basement on the dormant plants. I'd much rather deal with aphids than mites. At least you can see the aphids... and they're squishable :)

I also got mine from Rosemania.

I used nothing but Raid, soap/water, fought them through the winter, now don't seem to have a bug of any kind....
Praying here!

This message was edited Thursday, Apr 24th 9:48 PM

I use the Ortho systemic from Walmart.No spider mites so far this year.

I didnot know ortho had a systemic gone2seed. Did you buy it this year? A nursery guy told me Bayer bought up the patents for systemics so they were the only one to make them this year. Do you remember the name?

Kell, there are some of the old ones still out there. I know some of the Grubex still has imidicloprid in it and some has that new stuff, depending on whether it was packed last year or this year.(Before or after the Bayer takeover)

Kell,with my memory it could be anything.I will check the label tomorrow and post the name here.

thanks

Here it is.My memory wasn't playing tricks this time.The one on the right was purchased last fall.The one on the left I bought today.

edited to correct spelling

This message was edited Friday, Apr 25th 8:57 PM

where did you get it? might have to run see if I can find more.

I get mine at Walmart.Some have said that this may be old stock and therefore will be the last of it.I am going to buy a couple of extras just in case.

I'll try to get out and look around too. Might check the salvage stores too.

Gone2seed, check out my post about something eating my brug leaves. Have any ideas?
Thanks

JT ... do you mix it with the soil or is it a spray?

JT, I'll check with our supplier and see if Isotox is one of the chemicals bought by Bayer. I'm glad to know it works on spider mites, It's unusual for a systemic to work on mites.

I did a search on the internet, I still couldn't find a straight answer whether Bayer has bought the Isotox formula, but Isotox is one of those chemicals the FQPA(food quality protection act) is probably going to affect. Also be sure that your Isotox isn't from a very old supply and contains Lindane which is a banned chemical.
Orthene and Isotox Formula 4
Orthene and Isotox Formula 4 have replaced Cygone 2-E as the commonly recommended systemic pesticide for iris borers. Older formulations of Isotox contained lindane, a pesticide banned 15 years ago , so be careful with old pesticides labeled Isotox! These pesticides are applied when the Forsythia bloom or when the tulips bloom, followed by one or two more additional applications at two week intervals. Watch your iris for signs of borer to determine how long you need to spray Spraying must be done on a windless day. Follow the directions carefully.

Orthene and Isotox use the same chemical, acephate, to kill iris borers. Acephate may be a less hazardous pesticide than dimethoate (Cygon) but it is not totally benign. It is highly toxic to bees and other beneficial insects. It is hazardous to birds. Many agricultural workers have been poisoned by acephate while on the job. A healthy, young man who spent the day mixing and spraying acephate without safety gear, collapsed and died. Follow the label directions and apply it carefully!

The recent EPA review of acephate is almost complete. The prelimary results indicate that the EPA will continue to allow garden use of acephate except on lawns. The lawn and indoor use ban is to protect children from exposure to the pesticide. The use of acephate on food crops like lettuce, celery and mint can continue but based on studies of agricultural workers exposed to acephate, the EPA will probably tighten the agriculture useage rules. The EPA will not present its final decision on the use of acephate until the organophosphate pesiticide review is completed.
More info on the very old formula of Isotox from when it contained Lindane(an extrememly toxic chemical)
http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/insect-mite/fenitrothion-methylpara/lindane/insect-prof-lindane.html

Poppysue,it is a spray and is taken up through the leaves and roots.
Cala,thanks for all of that info :>)If I buy it at Walmart I don't worry about it too much.If I buy regulated chemicals at the farm store,then I worry.As for whether or not it works on mites???I don't have mites so far this year.
Could possibly be a coincidence.The label says it works on mites.
One thing it will cause is deformed leaves if used in a strong solution.

This message was edited Saturday, Apr 26th 10:29 AM

JT, the info I found said it works on mites(really good miticide), it's the added ingredient not the acephate. I already have the Avid, so that's what I've been using, alternated with Kelthane(another restricted one).
The added benefit of it being a systemic(the Isotox) would help those who aren't good at spraying the bottoms of the leaves.

I will go look at Walmart but I know this is not sold at HD or Lowes so I think it is from before bayer did the buy out. Thanks JT.

I will go out and look if I have the old Isotox, pretty scary stuff from your research Cala. I bet I have a bottle. I throw nothing out but just stop using things.