......and I am all for the natural ways, when they work effectively. I 've used or at least tried most of the ways to get rid of mites, naturally, organically........ It has nothing to do with being lazy.........it's about results.... I used the foggers too, though not using BBB's trick(sounds worth a try as the fog seemed mostly waisted just setting the thing off).
But I can tell you from experience, as well as it being documented, lady bugs are not good mite-preditors. They are a benifitial, no doubt, and great for a greenhouse.
Preditor-Mites probably work great, if you have the correct conditions for
their well being(correct temp/RH). They like it hot and humid....And if you use them you do need a "triple threat"-three different kinds- just in hopes of one of the breeds adapting to your conditions and mite population. <---and dont under order. Green Lacewing is a good addition too.
Neoseiulus Californicus, Galendromus Occidentalis and Phytoseiulus Persimilis are the three common preditors sold as they are what covers the spectrum of enviornmental conditions in your growing area, for the most part. The Mesoseiulus Longipe for some reason comes back to memory as being a good one for handling the lower RH.
The thing is that the two spotted spidermite that we are dealing with handles the hot/dry better than the preditors: they get their moisture from the eating the plants.
The BEST way to get rid of them is with cold wet conditions.........
we cant really do that.....
More down-turns with preditor-mites? I hope you dont have any residual Neem or DE or anything else in your grow.....they wont thrive like the two-spotted bastards do. And if you get the "Triple Threat"----> do you really think they can count out 250 or 500(1000?) of each of them acurately---each more than likely being raised somewhere else. How healthy will they be? How hungry? You thinkn you have good enough conditions to get them to reproduce as rapidly as they need to. Order LOTS!<---more than you think.
If your mite problem is not out of control, then you have a much better chance of preditors working for you(or anything for that matter).
Yes, I have a thing about mites(THE BORG!). I battled them for over a year. By the time I used AVID the mites I had were tolerant to most everything I had tried on them. They build up immunities beyond belief. I 've already heard of people having them that have survived right on through a good Floramite regimine......that's scary.
And you think Avid and Floramite are expensive? They ARE! Many shop do sell little 1/2 vials that they make up out of a $300 bottle......and sell for $30-40. I bet I had spent over $1000 before I even considered toxic shit. I still had the fukers
.....
Prevention will always be the best cure. Now I keep everything dusted well with DE, have micro-filters on intake/exhaust. If I 've been out in the yard I change my clothes before going into the grow.....
There's lots of info out there, as well as places to buy the preditors.
I used
http://www.naturescontrol.com/mite.html#smd when I did my 1st order..then I went through our local hydro shop for a bigger variety. They seem to carry a lot more in the springtime....
Read about AVID
http://www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com/prodrender/index.aspx?prodid=733
yes, there are negatives too: OVEREXPOSURE
http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner03122005.html
sorry for the winded post...... I 'll shut up. Make what will work for you work for you. Some people seem to have better luck with some things than others. I just ran out of time and patience........I would have nuked them had I had to...........
thank god it's winter and I have breather before it all begins again
