Using Predatory Mites and Beneficial Nematodes to control bugs....

So on my first grow I battled fungus gnats which were persistent and annoying but easily handled with some SNS 217 applied as a thorough root drench.

My last grow however, I battled spider mites after an infestation had already taken hold. They proved to be a much tougher enemy than anything else I've encountered, so I went into battle mode with several different products with varying degrees of success.

Azamax (good product and inexpensive...controls but does not eliminate)
Doktor Doom Spider Mite formula (burned some of my leaves and it's overly pricey)
Wipe Out concentrated cinnamon, thyme, and citronella oil (works but overly pricey)

For my next grow I have a game plan to handle these pests in a regimented pest management routine with a combination of organic sprays (azamax, einstein oil, and mighty wash), predatory mites (aka triple threat), and beneficial nematodes. All of these solutions are inexpensive, effective, and 100% organic...

I researched how commercial organic gardeners handle pests in their greenhouses and beneficial predators are how they get shit done along with organic pesticides.

I would love to have some input and discussion here from fellow growers that have mastered the art of pest control whether or not it's with the methods I've mentioned above or not.

If you have experience with beneficial nematodes or mites, please share your application routine and results.

I use Ladybugs and Praying Mantis in my Mator' Garden. Works great !!
Not sure how it would do indoors though.
Great Topic man.
I fought off Spider mites with EcoSmart.
But after 15 minutes you have to spray thing's down with water or it will burn the leaves.

Nemetodes in the pot when you transplant. A very affective preventative.

Predator mites won't help once spider mites have been significantly established. Mighty wash is just soap+RO water and doesn't work very well either. I've only found one thing that is safe enough to spray everyday (to kill every round of new hatched eggs) and actually demolishes those bastards...BUT i will be bottling it for sale very soon so unfortunately i can not give it away =/...Hopefully you don't throw your money away on the mighty wash though...i went through $100's of it before i realized it doesn't work.

needlesnpins said:

Predator mites won't help once spider mites have been significantly established. Mighty wash is just soap+RO water and doesn't work very well either. I've only found one thing that is safe enough to spray everyday (to kill every round of new hatched eggs) and actually demolishes those bastards...BUT i will be bottling it for sale very soon so unfortunately i can not give it away =/...Hopefully you don't throw your money away on the mighty wash though...i went through $100's of it before i realized it doesn't work.

Click to expand...

There's no soap in mighty wash. It's frequency adjusted water and apparently it works because nobody knocks the stuff.

find me a definition of frequency water that is not from the NPK website. Frequency water is a fancy word for RO...Actually the PM wash is JUST RO water to rinse off the SOAP from the mighty wash.