Spider mites confirmed! Took trees out today

9 years ago

And hosed them down thoroughly, then sprayed them with HO, neem, soap and a little FP and pro-tekt. The ones in my sunroom are ok, it's the ones in my kitchen - in particular the two Meyer lemons - Alexander and Jane. I noticed Jane had major leave dropping last night. Looked carefully with a magnifiying glass and spotted two mites - they were tiny and white. There were no webs. Alexander's leaves showed some damage and were kind of dusty, but I think the spraying from a couple of weeks ago helped. I did not spray the other tree as well and was unaware there was a problem with her. I am going to leave them out tonight - it's only going down to 47. I sprayed all the trees in the area just as thoroughly and wiped down the floor and windows. I hope this takes care of them for a while...very annoying. I was going to take a pic, but forgot. Tomorrow I can post one.

Featured Answer

myermike_1micha

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Oy yes...I'll take a pic for you..In fact I'd be glad to send you a bottle if you can't find it or if it not the pure oil... I really have not had to use that much since the plants in the warm room and regular houseplants don't get mites lately...But if they did, that is exactly what I would do...

When you lay that plastic down, make sure it is the 4m or thicker so that when you step on it it won't rip, even double up on a layers...Put enough down so that you can fold the plastic up at the end of your pots making like a huge cup...You know what I mean...It will catch the water and you can water as much as you want too without it leaking on to your floor...It will most definitely keep that area humid as it dissipates and the fan on the floor blowing across it towards the bottom of your leaves will make the area most hostile to mites for sure! Use the window box fans you can get for 12 bucks..It will be your life saver! Please, let me see your set up once you have it..)..

Only spray with Neem, half strength since it will still smother bugs without smothering your fruitlets and buds...You will be able to spray as often as you want without ruing the floors and your trees...You will be so happy you did this..Just watch out for your walls...If you have windows, you can just windex the solution off them.

Give your trees a good rinse of water before you bring them in especially under the leaves and let me know what your set up looks like...You might not even want a greenhouse if you can get this right..I know you can! It is what I would do and it is what always worked for me...

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Comments (6)

myermike_1micha
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Laura, I am sorry! It is a pain, and that is why I got tired of keeping mine warm and growing. The lights and warmth can make it so difficult to keep them at bay, but it is doable and that is great news)

Those darn things have no hold on mines now that I keep them cool and spray with mist constantly with a fan going at the same time...

May I suggest a few things that will help you at least gain control of them although not complete annihilation...?

If you would like that, let me know..I have a few tricks up my sleeve quite well until I found a new spot for them)

While they are out, why don't you get some painters plastic, you know the 4m one see through and lay that down on the floor. The whole area you will be setting your trees on...It will be so much easier for you to spray until leaves drip and mist freely...

A few precautions too...
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
9 years ago
I would love suggestions Mike, just know my limitations...this winter, they have to stay where they are...I have no choice.
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myermike_1micha
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Ok, you need to get to Home Depot or Lowe's and get painter plastic..You know the one they sell in a roll? Do you have Rosemary Oil, the pure one? You can get that at any health food store..

If you set your plants on the plastic, it will protect your floors and you can actually leave that plastic wet which will add humidity to the surrounding air as it dries..You will be able to spray a combo of a weakened form of Neem mixed with Dish soap and Rosemary Oil...This you should do every other week all winter.

The reason why I say a weakened form of Neem Oil is because if you use full strength, it will ruin your bud set and the flowers..Even the small fruit. The Rosemary Oil will coat the leaves with a distasteful flavor on the leaves for sucking pests while it smothers them too..The soap will elmulsify the oils at the same time..It has always worked for me..

You need to keep your room cool at night, or find a way while at the same time treat at night..Set a fan up blowing towards the trees so that the bottom of your trees get air movement, not the top..Constant air movement and moist leaves at night will knock your mite population down to almost a nill if any at all.,,,

Don't be discouraged, it will work for you....Trust me on this, ok?

I have to run, but tell me what you think...I'll be back later..

Basically, you are going to come close to building a mini greenhouse inside without walls..

Mike
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you Mike! I will buy the plastic...it's a great idea. I do have Rosemary oil and will use that as well. I already have a fan going, but it is hitting the middle-top of the trees. I need to figure out how I can position it to hit the lower part. I probably overdid the neem/HO today, but I wanted to kill them. I also sprayed down the mix. When I sprayed them down initially with the hose today, i sprayed them hard and knocked off many old petals, leaving tons of tiny lemons. I'm going to thin them out.
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you Mike! I will definitely post a pic when I have it set up. I will still want a greenhouse if only because when my younger trees grow up, they will not fit! If all my trees were as big as Alexander, there is no way I would be able to fit them in. That said, when I do have a greenhouse, I will still want some inside the house....I know it is harder on them, but I so enjoy having them indoors to enjoy all the time...plus the scent of the blossoms is lovely in my house!