A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Red spider mites

I think I have red spider mites that build small
Spider webs in the plants im my aquaponics system!
How do I get rid of them?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Vlad Jovanovic on March 23, 2012 at 2:24pm

I know this is probably NOT what you wanted to hear...but, if they're already building webs, you're pretty screwed IMO. You have an established, breeding, multi-generational colony with more on the way. You need to catch them MUCH earlier than that. Neither I, nor anybody that I know of has been able to successfully eradicate them (without getting rid of all their affected plants...and then some) once they have reached that stage. (Super toxic pesticides in multiple releases notwithstanding).

Sorry, maybe someone else can chime in with an ancient Chinese secret remedy...

How prevalent is the webbing? (along the tops and new growth)...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by George on March 23, 2012 at 8:30pm

If they are outside, wash them off with water and then do it again at least every other day for a few days. Their life cycle is very short, three days or so, and you must continue to wash them off as they hatch. It won't take long to get rid of them. Miteicides (s) are very expensive and you can't use them in aquaponics anyway. I've used the latest and greatest on ornamental plants and found that nothing works better than water. If you turn the leaves upside down in sunlight, you will see the pinhead sized mites scurrying. You may need a magnifying glass. Good luck.