spider mites

[Miriam Badou]

I know this topic has been discussed quite a lot but I am not quite sure what to do. I have spider mites in my growbed and don't know what to do about them. I've already pulled the plants from the bed and noticed the mites in the rocks. I would have seen them sooner but the growth on the plants was so good, I couldn't see the rocks. Anyway, I know i'm screwed. I don't want to have to empty the rocks if I don't have to so any help would be appreciated. I can isolate the growbed from the system if I have to to treat.

[Maurice Person]

We use a wonderful solution of Cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, eucalyptus oil and organic natural dishsoap.  A tsp of each in a 1/4th cup of olive oil.  Let that sit for 4-5 days.  

Add solution to spray bottle. and add 3 cups of water.  Shake and spray.  I usually remove the plant entirely from the system.  Spray plant, spray with water.  Repeat.  spray Rinse with water 3 times. to keep leaves from burning.

Mites gone also good for aphids. 

[Miriam Badou]

Thanks for the advice and recipe for spray. I'm not sure what to spray in the bed itself to get rid of the ones there. I don't want to replant and have the same problem all over again. I hate losing plants.

[Keith Rowan]

ever try predator mites?

plent of beneficial insects/nematodes readily available

i avoid any/all soaps in my ap systems.. and most "oils"... these can suffocate fish

[Miriam Badou]

I agree totally. That is why I'm having such a time. I am beginning ti wonder if these are spider mites in my growbeads. I just took out 3 infected cucumber vines and noticed all the activity in my rocks. I just assumed that they were spider mites. From what I've been reading, they are not supposed to like moisture and It's quite moist down there. I'm not sure what else will breed down there. They still look kile some kind of mite

[George]

I've never seen spider mites in ground or gravel.  They definitely don't like moisture.