Experiments in Organic Pest Control - Spider Mites

Pattahabi

Well-Known Member

Last I looked azamax was neem oil in a fancy bottle and price ...lol
aza dectin is neem oil ...to my blog: https://www.rollitup.org/Journal/Entry/neem-oil.27514/

http://www.amazon.com/oz-Control-Organic-Insecticide-Solution/dp/B004WOSDUY
Actually Azadactarin is only one of the pesticide compounds found in a neem tree. There are over 300+ compounds, and we have only identified like 120 or something. However, they are packing up this one chemical and selling it at a stupid price.

CHEMISTRY OF NEEM
To give a brief background, chemical investigations of neem were undertaken by Indian
pharmaceutical chemists in 1919, whereby they isolated acidic principle in neem oil,
which they named as ‘margosic acid”. However, real chemical research originated in
1942 with isolation of three active constituents, viz, nimbin, nimbidin and nimbinene.
In 1963 an Indian scientist extensively examined the chemistry of the active principles of
neem. Following the discovery of neem kernel as a locust feeding deterrent, its
chemistry has grown considerably. Several compounds have been isolated and
characterized. The main feature is that most of them are chemically similar and
biogenetically derivable from a tetracyclicterpenes. These are also called liminoids
(azadirachtin, meliantrol, salanin etc.) bitter principles and occur in other botanical
species as well (Rutaceae and Simaroubaceae). The unraveling of high complex
structural features and biogenetic interrelationship represent classic piece of work on
natural product chemistry. From the practical side these compounds also exhibit a wide
variety of biological activity, for example, pesticides, antifeedants, and cytotoxic
properties.
Leaves maily yield quercetin (flavonoid) and nimbosterol
(β- sitosterol) as well as number of liminoids (nimbin and
its derivatives). Quercetin (a polyphenolic flavonoid) is
known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. This
may perhaps account for the curative properties of leaves
for sores and scabies. Limonoids like nimocinolide and
isonimocinolide affect fecundity in house flies (Musca
domestica) at a dose ranging between 100 and 500 ppm.
They also show mutagenic properties in mosquitoes
(Aedes aegypti) producing intermediates. Fresh matured
leaves yield an odorous viscous essential oil, which
exhibits antifungal activity against fungi (Trichophyton mentagrophytes) in vitro. White
crystalline flakes obtained from petroleum ether extract of leaves consisting of a mixture
of C 14, C 24, C 31 alkanes were found to exceed or equal the lavicidal activity of
pyrethrum extract. The principal constituents of neem leaves include protein (7.1%),
carbohydrates (22.9%), minerals, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, carotene etc. But they
also contain glutamic acid, tyrosine, aspartic acid, alanine, praline, glutamine and cystine
like amino acids, and several fatty acids (dodecanoic, tetradecanoic, elcosanic, etc.).
Besides, the essential oil consisting of sesquiterpene derivatives, the flowers contain
nimbosterol and flavonoids like kaempferol, melicitrin etc. Flowers also yield a waxy
material consisting of several fatty acids, viz., behenic (0.7%), arachidic (0.7%), stearic
(8.2%), palmitic (13.6%), oleic (6.5%) and linoleic (8.0%). The pollen of neem contains
several amino acids like glumatic acid, tyrosine, arginine, methionion, phenylalanine,
histidine, arminocaprylic acid and isoleucine.
The trunk bark contains nimbn (0.04%), nimbinin (0.001%), nimbidin (0.4%), nimbosterol
(0.03%), essential oil (0.02%), tannins (6.0%), a bitter principle margosine and 6-
desacetyl nimbinene. The stem bark contains tannins (12-16%) and non-tannin (8-11%).
The bark contains anti-inflammatory polysaccharide consisting of glucose, arabinose and
fructose at a molar ratio 1:1:1 with molecular weight of 8,400. The bark also yields an
Search product Go
Create your account now!
Home About Us Neem Products Neemclopedia Catalogue F.A.Q. Contact Us
antitumor polysaccharide. Besides polysaccharides, several diterpenoids, viz.,
nimbinone, nimbolicin, margocin, nimbidiol, nimbione, etc. have been isolated from stem
bark and root bark.
Besides β- sitosterol, 24-methylenelophenol and nimatone, the heartwood contains,
calcium, potassium and iron salts. The heartwood on destructive distillation gives
charcoal (30%) and pyroligeneous acid (38.4%). Neem wood contains, cellulose,
hemicellulose (14.00%) and lignin (14.63%), while wood oil contains β-sitosterol,
cycloeucalenol and 24- methylenecyceloartenol.
The tree exudes a gum, which on hydrolysis yields, L-arabinose, L-fucose, D-galactose
and D-glucoronic acid. The older tree exudes a sap containing free sugars (glucose,
fructose, mannose and xylose), amino acids (alanine, aminobutyric acid, arginine,
asparagines, aspartic acid, glycine, norvaline, praline, etc) and organic acids (citric,
malonic, succinic and fumaric). The sap is reported to be useful in the treatment of
general weakness and skin diseases.
Seed is very important both because of its high lipid content as well as the occurrence of
a large number of bitter principles (azadirachtin, azadiradione, fraxinellone, nimbin,
salannin, salannol, vepinin, vilasinin, etc.) in considerable quantities. Azadirachtin has
proven effectiveness as a pesticide against about 200 insect species and is reported as
non-toxic to humans. Neem kernel lipids are similar to the normal glycerides from other
oilseeds and contains oleic acid (50-60%), palmitic acid (13-15%), stearic acid (14-19%),
linoleic acid (8-16%) and arachidic acid (1-3%). It is brownish yellow, non-drying oil with
an acrid taste and unpleasant odour. The quality of the oil differs with the method of
processing.
The composition of neem cake after the extraction of oil varies widely depending on the
raw material used for expelling, for example, whole dried fruits, seeds or kernels. The
range of the proximate composition in percentage are: crude protein 13-35,
carbohydrates 26-50, crude fibre 8-26, fat 2-13, ash 5-18, acid insoluble ash 1-7. The
bitter cake has no value as animal or poultry feed. Extraction of cake with 70% alcohol
followed by hexane yields a meal free from bitterness and odour, which will be
satisfactory as feed. The neem cake is rich in most of the amino acids. It is a potential
source of organic manure and contains many plant nutrients, viz., nitrogen 2-3%,
phosphorus 1% and potassium 1.4%. It also contains 1.0-1.5% tannic acid and has the
highest sulphur content of 1.07 – 1.36% among the oil cakes. The neem cake contains a
large number of triterpenoids, more of which are being discovered.


Peace!

P-
 

vostok

Well-Known Member
Actually Azadactarin is only one of the pesticide compounds found in a neem tree. There are over 300+ compounds, and we have only identified like 120 or something. However, they are packing up this one chemical and selling it at a stupid price.

CHEMISTRY OF NEEM
To give a brief background, chemical investigations of neem were undertaken by Indian
pharmaceutical chemists in 1919, whereby they isolated acidic principle in neem oil,
which they named as ‘margosic acid”. However, real chemical research originated in
1942 with isolation of three active constituents, viz, nimbin, nimbidin and nimbinene.
In 1963 an Indian scientist extensively examined the chemistry of the active principles of
neem. Following the discovery of neem kernel as a locust feeding deterrent, its
chemistry has grown considerably. Several compounds have been isolated and
characterized. The main feature is that most of them are chemically similar and
biogenetically derivable from a tetracyclicterpenes. These are also called liminoids
(azadirachtin, meliantrol, salanin etc.) bitter principles and occur in other botanical
species as well (Rutaceae and Simaroubaceae). The unraveling of high complex
structural features and biogenetic interrelationship represent classic piece of work on
natural product chemistry. From the practical side these compounds also exhibit a wide
variety of biological activity, for example, pesticides, antifeedants, and cytotoxic
properties.
Leaves maily yield quercetin (flavonoid) and nimbosterol
(β- sitosterol) as well as number of liminoids (nimbin and
its derivatives). Quercetin (a polyphenolic flavonoid) is
known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. This
may perhaps account for the curative properties of leaves
for sores and scabies. Limonoids like nimocinolide and
isonimocinolide affect fecundity in house flies (Musca
domestica) at a dose ranging between 100 and 500 ppm.
They also show mutagenic properties in mosquitoes
(Aedes aegypti) producing intermediates. Fresh matured
leaves yield an odorous viscous essential oil, which
exhibits antifungal activity against fungi (Trichophyton mentagrophytes) in vitro. White
crystalline flakes obtained from petroleum ether extract of leaves consisting of a mixture
of C 14, C 24, C 31 alkanes were found to exceed or equal the lavicidal activity of
pyrethrum extract. The principal constituents of neem leaves include protein (7.1%),
carbohydrates (22.9%), minerals, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, carotene etc. But they
also contain glutamic acid, tyrosine, aspartic acid, alanine, praline, glutamine and cystine
like amino acids, and several fatty acids (dodecanoic, tetradecanoic, elcosanic, etc.).
Besides, the essential oil consisting of sesquiterpene derivatives, the flowers contain
nimbosterol and flavonoids like kaempferol, melicitrin etc. Flowers also yield a waxy
material consisting of several fatty acids, viz., behenic (0.7%), arachidic (0.7%), stearic
(8.2%), palmitic (13.6%), oleic (6.5%) and linoleic (8.0%). The pollen of neem contains
several amino acids like glumatic acid, tyrosine, arginine, methionion, phenylalanine,
histidine, arminocaprylic acid and isoleucine.
The trunk bark contains nimbn (0.04%), nimbinin (0.001%), nimbidin (0.4%), nimbosterol
(0.03%), essential oil (0.02%), tannins (6.0%), a bitter principle margosine and 6-
desacetyl nimbinene. The stem bark contains tannins (12-16%) and non-tannin (8-11%).
The bark contains anti-inflammatory polysaccharide consisting of glucose, arabinose and
fructose at a molar ratio 1:1:1 with molecular weight of 8,400. The bark also yields an
Search product Go
Create your account now!
Home About Us Neem Products Neemclopedia Catalogue F.A.Q. Contact Us
antitumor polysaccharide. Besides polysaccharides, several diterpenoids, viz.,
nimbinone, nimbolicin, margocin, nimbidiol, nimbione, etc. have been isolated from stem
bark and root bark.
Besides β- sitosterol, 24-methylenelophenol and nimatone, the heartwood contains,
calcium, potassium and iron salts. The heartwood on destructive distillation gives
charcoal (30%) and pyroligeneous acid (38.4%). Neem wood contains, cellulose,
hemicellulose (14.00%) and lignin (14.63%), while wood oil contains β-sitosterol,
cycloeucalenol and 24- methylenecyceloartenol.
The tree exudes a gum, which on hydrolysis yields, L-arabinose, L-fucose, D-galactose
and D-glucoronic acid. The older tree exudes a sap containing free sugars (glucose,
fructose, mannose and xylose), amino acids (alanine, aminobutyric acid, arginine,
asparagines, aspartic acid, glycine, norvaline, praline, etc) and organic acids (citric,
malonic, succinic and fumaric). The sap is reported to be useful in the treatment of
general weakness and skin diseases.
Seed is very important both because of its high lipid content as well as the occurrence of
a large number of bitter principles (azadirachtin, azadiradione, fraxinellone, nimbin,
salannin, salannol, vepinin, vilasinin, etc.) in considerable quantities. Azadirachtin has
proven effectiveness as a pesticide against about 200 insect species and is reported as
non-toxic to humans. Neem kernel lipids are similar to the normal glycerides from other
oilseeds and contains oleic acid (50-60%), palmitic acid (13-15%), stearic acid (14-19%),
linoleic acid (8-16%) and arachidic acid (1-3%). It is brownish yellow, non-drying oil with
an acrid taste and unpleasant odour. The quality of the oil differs with the method of
processing.
The composition of neem cake after the extraction of oil varies widely depending on the
raw material used for expelling, for example, whole dried fruits, seeds or kernels. The
range of the proximate composition in percentage are: crude protein 13-35,
carbohydrates 26-50, crude fibre 8-26, fat 2-13, ash 5-18, acid insoluble ash 1-7. The
bitter cake has no value as animal or poultry feed. Extraction of cake with 70% alcohol
followed by hexane yields a meal free from bitterness and odour, which will be
satisfactory as feed. The neem cake is rich in most of the amino acids. It is a potential
source of organic manure and contains many plant nutrients, viz., nitrogen 2-3%,
phosphorus 1% and potassium 1.4%. It also contains 1.0-1.5% tannic acid and has the
highest sulphur content of 1.07 – 1.36% among the oil cakes. The neem cake contains a
large number of triterpenoids, more of which are being discovered.


Peace!

P-
LINK: please, as you may be pulling my legs with those long words, that my google translate don't under stand thanks
 

ZoBudd

Well-Known Member
You forgot the most important of the essential oils of all for spider mites,Lavender oil!I have tried all the essential oils and lavender is absolutely the best at killing mites and their eggs!I battled mites for a long time and used pesticides miticides and essential oils.Some miticides did work very well but just too damn expensive.Mighty wash works great but again too damn expensive.I tried all the essential oils with marginal succes.Finally I tried lavender oil and after close inspection under a microscope mites turned black like and looked to kinda melt as well as their eggs.I now use it as a preventative about 1/3-1/4 oz a gallon emulsified with dawn soap first.Then add to water.For a full infestation up the ratios.

Nobody seems to believe Lavender works so well but I have rid full infestations in large ops using lavender alone.It also helps prevent powdery mildew as an added bonus.Just remember spray with lights off only, just like any other oils it will burn your plants foliage.
Absolutely correct. Lavender def belongs on the list!!!!
 

ZoBudd

Well-Known Member
Neem oil (or karanja oil) emulsified with silica (protekt or agsil). Spray every 3 days for 3 sprayings to break the reproductive cycle. If you need any more info on emulsifying, etc let me know.

You can add a few drops of your essential oils to the water for a little added zip.

Peace!

P-
Pattahabi, more info on emulsifying please!
 

AlphaSierra

Member
I had spider mites earlier this year and white flies just recently, both introduced via cuttings. I initially top dressed my soil with neem cake, then foliar fed with neem seed meal brewed @ 30 hours once a week for four weeks. it worked very well to get rid of both.
 

Jack Harer

Well-Known Member
Nice Photos, but the bottom line is ....if you have spider mites, thats only an indication to the real issue, ITS NOT THE ISSUE, find the issue whats attracting them to your grow, over a year now???
or always be sacrificing some of your crop to this pest, often very often bugs are attracted to you plants for 1-2 specific reasons ...Double Check your Shit!!! guaranteed you will face palm once the reason hits ...lol
meantime look to Neem Oil as being a good all rounder many noobs avoid this as they don't like the smell etc,
but it has recently been a proven systemic bug killer, as in the plants drink neem oil up good for molds and pubic lice too ...lol
IME, Spider mites are entirely preventable. They are (For the most part) an indoor problem. Not letting your plants get moisture stressed, keep your room RH around 40, and watch your room temps. They just THRIVE in hot, arid conditions. I had to level an entire table due to an infestation, and lost a second crop to the little bastards. After several lengthy conversations with the UT entymology dept, I figured out that prevention is key, 'cuz once they get a foothold, you're screwed.
The 2 crops lost to the borg left me scarred!!! I have never seen something devastate a plant in so little time.
 

vostok

Well-Known Member
I had spider mites earlier this year and white flies just recently, both introduced via cuttings. I initially top dressed my soil with neem cake, then foliar fed with neem seed meal brewed @ 30 hours once a week for four weeks. it worked very well to get rid of both.
Congrats Alpha...maybe consider a quarantine area, like a small well lit cub board or tent..? thats how I got into Neem ...lol
bulk out on Neem both oil and cake, the cake goes great in soil the coil better as a foilar
 

Darth Vapour

Well-Known Member
neem cake with some whip cream does wonders :) i say nail them fuckers with chem and rid them once n for all yes even true organic farmers use chemical
 

AlphaSierra

Member
Congrats Alpha...maybe consider a quarantine area, like a small well lit cub board or tent..? thats how I got into Neem ...lol
bulk out on Neem both oil and cake, the cake goes great in soil the coil better as a foilar
Thank you, fortunately my current girls were only inside my green house to get them going. I started them end of march, found the problem early April, treated them and let them veg up through may. I haven't seen any sign of them for a couple weeks, just got them outside in the ground yesterday:), I don't think i'll have any more problems now. I'm just beginning to learn more about using Neem products, this is only my second year using them and I love Neem! I have had trouble getting my local shop to carry neem oil so I've had to make due with just the neem seed meal. My organic soil loves loves the neem seed meal and I will always use it now.
 

AlphaSierra

Member
Thank you, fortunately my current girls were only inside my green house to get them going. I started them end of march, found the problem early April, treated them and let them veg up through may. I haven't seen any sign of them for a couple weeks, just got them outside in the ground yesterday:), I don't think i'll have any more problems now. I'm just beginning to learn more about using Neem products, this is only my second year using them and I love Neem! I have had trouble getting my local shop to carry neem oil so I've had to make due with just the neem seed meal. My organic soil loves loves the neem seed meal and I will always use it now.
I finally found some Neem Oil!, but it is manufactured by BONIDE. The container states it is for organic gardening but I rarely trust what a company puts on a label unless I have personally used their products or it has been recommended by a reputable source. I have been wanting a neem oil produced by Dyna Grow, but have not been able to get in my town. Do you know anything about this product? The container states it is 70% clarified hydrophobic extract of neem oil, 30% "other ingredients" I would greatly appreciate any info/advice you would care to share.
 

MMJ Dreaming 99

Well-Known Member
You forgot the most important of the essential oils of all for spider mites,Lavender oil!I have tried all the essential oils and lavender is absolutely the best at killing mites and their eggs!I battled mites for a long time and used pesticides miticides and essential oils.Some miticides did work very well but just too damn expensive.Mighty wash works great but again too damn expensive.I tried all the essential oils with marginal succes.Finally I tried lavender oil and after close inspection under a microscope mites turned black like and looked to kinda melt as well as their eggs.I now use it as a preventative about 1/3-1/4 oz a gallon emulsified with dawn soap first.Then add to water.For a full infestation up the ratios.

Nobody seems to believe Lavender works so well but I have rid full infestations in large ops using lavender alone.It also helps prevent powdery mildew as an added bonus.Just remember spray with lights off only, just like any other oils it will burn your plants foliage.
Will Lavender Oil kill russet mites? Is it more contact and under the leaves? Would you invest in a fogger? Thanks.
 

jbooley

Well-Known Member
This is what worked for me. mint leaf, habanero peppers, garlic, steep on the stove for about 1/2 hour. Let it cool and then add some olive oil and a few drops of dawn dish soap.

PS the plants loved it

JB
 
Top