these plants are growing outside next to the house. it was unusually hot and dry for a month. 97 to 107... up to then there were doing great.. i tried malation on them once but i was so close to harvesting the first ripe tomatoes i didn't want to spray a second time because of the 7 day delay from spraying and harvesting them.

Insecticidal soap and oil sprays both work against mites. Spray thoroughly, particularly under the leaves. Spray again when you see more signs of the bugs or when the label recommends. Be sure not to spray in the heat of the day if the sun is shining -- the sun shining on the spray will burn the leaves; evenings and early mornings work best.

These sprays can be used up to the day of harvest. Much easier and less worrisome than Malathion!

Some locations separate the "organic" products from the "chemical" stuff like Malathion; you may need to look in another aisle to find them. Or you may find the "organics" with the fertilizers rather than the insecticides.